This year Big Valley Jamboree, or BVJ, will be celebrating its 25 anniversary. Organizers say that hundreds of thousands of loyal fans have supported the event through the years, and they acknowledge that a great many of those fans come from rural Alberta.

As a way to thank their fans, BVJ is offering small towns a chance to host their own mini-BVJ, in a contest called Small Town Saturday Night, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“We call it “Small Town Saturday Night,” you’ll call it “one incredibly unforgettable, amazing, mind-blowing experience!”

Initially three local groups put their applications in the running, the Hardisty Ag. Society, Flagstaff Kids Connection Daycare, and Flagstaff Initiative for Relationship and Spousal Trauma (FIRST).

Since FIRST picked Killam as the place they would hold the concert, if they won, BVJ officials suggested the two Killam groups work together under one vote.

The winner will be decided through an online vote on the BVJ site. Voting takes place from Feb. 1 to the 15, and anyone can vote once per day during that period for their favourite group.

Thus far, results can only be seen once a vote is submitted, and voters are required to do a one-time registration of their email address if they have never voted before.

FIRST and FFCS Director Lynne Jenkinson says, “I had spoken to the FIRST board about this in early January, and they said, ‘Let’s go for it!’

“It’s a good way to acknowledge all of Flagstaff and introduce more people in the area to what we do.”

She says FIRST has been in existence and growing and changing with the community since 1996.

“A concert experience like this would allow us to raise funds for our ongoing school programs and help those disadvantaged in numerous ways in our community.

James Morrison of the Hardisty Ag. Society says their entry was submitted on behalf of the Hardisty Arena Management Board and the Hardisty Rodeo Association.

“Our board has been working tirelessly to raise money for our arena upgrade.

“We are still a long way from reaching our fundraising goal, so this opportunity seemed fitting, especially as we are working together with the Rodeo Association. Their Spring Fling Social was scheduled for the April 29 concert date, so we are putting our efforts together.”

Morrison says that with just under half of the 31 communities competing for the BVJ prize having a population of 5,000 or more, “We understand it’s going to be an uphill battle. Our focus right now is making the final 10.”

If either Flagstaff entry makes it into the top 10 votes after Feb. 15, a BVJ video team will visit and produce video entries, to be voted on by the general public in March.

Both Flagstaff entries wish their counterparts the best of luck, with Morrison adding, “If we don’t make our goal and they do, we will fully support them in the next round.

In 2013, Bashaw won the contest, and raised $67,000 for the Bashaw School Arts Infusion Program. In 2012, the Town of Legal raised a total of $93,000.

Residents can vote at: THIS LINK. As of Friday afternoon, Killam is out of the Top 10, but Hardisty is ranked eighth in votes. Nearby Viking also finds itself in the Top 10, ranked fifth. The first phase of the contest closes on February 15.

Read the full story in the latest edition of The Community Press – available on newsstands now and online via E-Subscription. Never miss an issue: become a Subscriber today!

 

Leslie Cholowsky
Editor