The town of Bengough hosted the Gateway Festival from July 26 to 28. The ninth annual event saw a staggering increase in patronage. One of the area's 'best kept secrets' for folk music fans has caught on with a larger audience.
Gateway Festival public relations director Lois Giraudier noted that while the event usually sells approximately 400 tickets in advance each year, this year's advance sales were at 1,400 and in total the festival may have surpassed the 3,000 people mark.
She noted that this year, the festival board received a marketing grant for advertising.
"It's proof that marketing does help," she said. "We marketed in the cities a lot. A lot of people didn't know about the festival before."
"We showcased a lot of Saskatchewan bands," she explained noting that the followers of many of these bands were able to attend the festival to show support, since they didn't have far to travel.
Giraudier said that in spite of the increase in numbers, the campers were a delight.
"The campers were so polite and respectful," she said. "We sure appreciated that they left their campsites clean."
More than 250 volunteers make the event what it is.
"Everybody was complimenting the volunteers," she said. "It was a real good festival crowd."
New additions to this year's event included a Culture Walk on the 27th, chauffeured by the Gateway Bus - which was a much-appreciated addition as a shuttle bus during the evenings' events.
At each stop along the tour, there were performers, including at the pool, where a songwriter's workshop was held.
"It was a real success, that's for sure," she said, noting that the event vendors were sold out before the end of the weekend.
For the hard-working volunteer board, this year's success was a real boon for Bengough.
"It is an economic benefit for the town," said Giraudier, "it turns our little town into a city overnight, that's for sure."
Corb Lund, the Rah Rahs, Limblifter and Yukon Blonde were bands that likely drew the larger crowds, but the biggest name this year had to be Steve Earle, who performed on the first night.
Ray Jack of Weyburn, who also owns property in Bengough, met Steve Earle on the morning of July 26.
Jack said he noticed the country-rock legend entering the local grocery store to shop for his own breakfast. He had decided to give the singer some time to do his shopping before he approached him.
"I couldn't wait any longer," said Jack. "So I just went in and said, 'hey, you're Steve Earle, aren't you?' and he said, 'yep', and then he said, 'you guys don't sell butter in containers up here - how do you deal with this stuff?'"
Jack noted that he hadn't thought of a good answer at the time, but "If Steve Earle says that's how it should be, that's how it should be!"
He added that he was impressed that the performer was doing his own shopping.
"The lady in the bakery down the street was really surprised, because most of the performers who come to town for the festival usually call in their demands for delivery. But not him, he was in there shopping for his bacon and eggs."
Jack said he really enjoyed the evening's performance and that he attends the festival every year.
