CAMBRIDGE—The Bluegrass in the Country music festival and its main organizer, John Featherstone, and the Manitoulin Special Olympics team are featured in an article in the latest edition of Bluegrass Canada Magazine.
“Providence Bay and Manitoulin Island itself is a priceless little place, a gem,” stated Mike Kirley, editor of the magazine, who wrote the piece for the most current edition of the magazine. “It is incredible how everyone gets along and works together to put on the Bluegrass in the Country event. And there are a lot of great bands that take part.”
Mr. Kirley, 72, attended this year’s bluegrass festival, held in June in Providence Bay. It was only the second time he has visited Manitoulin Island. “I drove up to this year’s bluegrass festival,” he told The Recorder, explaining, “I have to admit I didn’t know how long it would take to get to the Island. I’m from Cambridge, Ontario and it took about four hours to travel to North Bay. Then it was almost another four hours to Providence Bay.”
“It was a long trip, but it was well worth it,” stated Mr. Kirley, who is a member of the band Switchback Road. “John Featherstone welcomed me and we sat by his trailer, and he provided me some food and drink while we socialized. His brother was there as well and is a great guy as well.”
“Providence Bay is a really neat place to visit,” said Mr. Kirley.
With Mr. Kirley’s permission, the following is a reprint of the article in Bluegrass Canada Magazine and is titled, ‘Everybody wins with Brother John!’
John Featherstone is a driven man. Known by his fellow church members as “Brother John,” he works tirelessly to provide special needs people with the tools they need to live happy and productive lives. He and his organization help athletes compete all over the world in the Special Olympics.
Modifications such as wheelchair access busses, baseball uniforms and track suits are expensive. Travel tickets to places like Vancouver, Seoul, Greece and London are also costly. There are trials in Nova Scotia and a competition in Dubai.
What does this have to do with ‘Bluegrass in the Country’, a festival in Providence Bay, Manitoulin Island?
Well, that was Austin’s brain child. He is Brother John’s son, and a world champion in the 400 metre race. He won in Greece in 2011, along with his friend Meghan Millsap.
“If I get The Canucky Bluegrass Boys we can have a good music festival, Dad. They are my friends, they will help us out.” The first festival in 2010 had 150 people show up in the arena, and it has increased steadily ever since.
A huge reason for the festival’s success is the sponsors. Everyone wants to help with the Special Olympics. Brother John and his committee campaign all year long for sponsors, and are getting amazing results. For a long list, see www.bluegrassinthecountry.net
Another integral part of the team is Tony DeBoer. Tony has retired from much of his Bluegrass promoting in the province, turning over most of the work to his family. He still insists on doing sound for Brother John and his festival. “I do it for the kids, Mike,” he confides.
When local special needs people heard about Austin winning medals, they wanted to join up too. Manitoulin now has over 50 members on their team of athletes. Of these, five have made it to Team Ontario.
Bluegrass Music Association of Canada president Murray Hale and I made this year’s festival and it was a really good time. We picked long into the night hours every night. Don’t miss it next year. You should have a lot of fun!
