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Centerfield Music Festival grows with one month to go

The first ever Centerfield Music Festival is a month away, with five additional artists named to the lineup, and an extra batch of tickets released last week for the June 16 and 17 event.
Olivia Rose, who has Elk Point connections, is one of the five artists recently announced as being part of the Centerfield Music Festival lineup.
Olivia Rose, who has Elk Point connections, is one of the five artists recently announced as being part of the Centerfield Music Festival lineup.

The first ever Centerfield Music Festival is a month away, with five additional artists named to the lineup, and an extra batch of tickets released last week for the June 16 and 17 event.

Keynon Ternovoy, event co-producer with Troubadour Event Management, said each of the five acts are unique, but all are Canadian, and share “tremendous” music talents to offer up alongside headliners Brett Kissel, Trooper, Aaron Pritchett and Carolyn Dawn Johnson.

Ternovoy describes Ridley Bent as a musically-talented storyteller along the lines of Merle Haggard, while saying JJ Shiplett will bring a “rootsy, rapsy” tone to the festival, and that Jimmy Whiffen is a singer-songwriter who has a real presence and connection with his audience.

Elk Point’s Olivia Rose will be returning after performing at last year’s Hometown Homecoming concert, and Ternovoy says it’s another great addition.

“She’s just been on an awesome trajectory with her career,” he said, noting Rose has been nominated for Edmonton music awards and has grown as an artist in the past year. “We’re super happy to have her back, especially being an Elk Point local artist.”

Finally, The Dungarees offer a perfect blend of traditional and country music, he said, saying, “They’re going to have you up on your feet, singing and dancing, and they bring a tremendous amount of energy to the stage.”

Many have noticed that the promise was for 10 artists, leaving one act yet to be announced. Ternovoy said the last act would be a “surprise,” announced a little closer to the event date.

An extra, limited batch of two-day passes were released last week, with Ternovoy explaining this came about through discussion with the Town of St. Paul.

“We had seen and heard, and been told about an amazing amount of demand, especially locally. Together, we made the decision it would be the right thing to do to sell the tickets in town.” The tickets, which were sold at Northern Source Rentals in St. Paul, were sold out on the day itself?

While several locals will be attending, Ternovoy says people will be traveling from as far as British Columbia and Memphis, Tennessee to attend the festival.

“People are coming to see the show, and they’re coming to see St. Paul. I just hope everyone is as excited as we are, and takes full advantage of showing our town off to a continental audience,” he said, adding he hopes people get into the spirit of things and has fun with it.

Having fun with the baseball theme is what the St. Paul & District Chamber of Commerce is hoping to encourage too, with executive director Linda Sallstrom saying she’s been talking to businesses and getting really good feedback on the idea of having a week of events leading up to the festival, much like rodeo week.

Every business is encouraged to take advantage of the influx of people into town, but specific events currently on the agenda include a talent show on June 14, hosted by the Cornerstone Co-op and local radio station; a contest for Best Dressed Business using a baseball theme; and a hot dog cook-off – similar to the chili cook-off – to be held on June 16, as well as a Friday and Saturday market.

The goal is to create an exciting, energetic atmosphere that shows off the town, said Sallstrom, adding, “We want to create that experience that makes people want to come back.”

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