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Local 

Greyhound

PCL

Last Updated:

June 23rd, 2008

History of the 

The first two years

In 2003, Bruce MacLeod received permission and funding from the Whiskey Creek Water District to organize a concert to raise funds to help with local water system improvements.

Bruce’s son Stuart MacLeod performs a show called In Memory of the King, a Tribute to Elvis Presley, and the original idea was to have one entertainer perform.  However, Maria MacLeod, Stuart’s wife came up with two more excellent artists, Dereck Dee and Candy Wright, who perform tributes to Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, Marty Robbins, and Tammy Wynette.  At this point, the concert turned into a Music Festival.

 In an amazing stroke of good fortune, another great tribute artist living in Parksville saw some promotional information about the Music Festival in the local newspaper, and contacted Bruce to ask if it was possible to do a half hour show so he could see how the audience accepted him.  This local artist was Douglas Kew, undoubtedly one of the finest Neil Diamond tributes anyone in attendance had seen ever, and hopefully a perennial feature artist for the Music Festival.

 The idea for the Music Festival was born in February 2003, with an event date set for July.  There was precious little time to secure sponsors, volunteers, caterers, and take care of the many numerous details that have to be ironed out pursuant to a major event such as this festival. With the generous support of the CHRCO, Bruce was able to secure the Coombs Rodeo Grounds, and the First Annual Whiskey Creek Music Festival took place on July 19^th, 2003.

 A core group of volunteers gathered together once a week planning security, traffic control, first-aid, etc.  The first festival was by all accounts a resounding success.  The air reverberated with cries of “Wait ‘til next year,” “We should do it this way next year!” and  “We need better advertising!”

 Needless to say, the organizers were all excited because although the crowd had been small, with the generous support of local sponsors, they still managed to raise about $2400 to give to the Water District.

 Since that first festival, the organizers have formed a society aptly named the Whiskey Creek Music Festival.  The purpose of this organization is to raise funds for local needs, including system improvements for the Whiskey Creek Water District.  To date (April 2005), other funding recipients include local chapters of the Canadian Cancer Society, and a friend and neighbour seriously hurt in an accident.  Future recipients will include the local Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department, Arrowsmith Search and Rescue, and possibly environmental organizations with a direct impact in the Whiskey Creek area.

 The 2^nd Annual Whiskey Creek Music Festival was held on July 3^rd, 2004.  The festival featured tribute artists performing as Elvis Presley, Shania Twain, Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart, Patsy Cline, and Johnny Vallis-the Man of Many Voices, who expertly performs many different tributes.  This festival raised $4500 and firmly established the Whiskey Creek Music Festival as a worthwhile event to attend.

 The goal of the Music Festival organizers is to create an outstanding event and to establish the Music Festival as an annual tradition in the Whiskey Creek area.

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