PROVIDENCE BAY—If it was great music you wanted, the annual Bluegrass in the Country event held in Providence Bay certainly filled the bill. The event is held annually to support our tremendous Manitoulin Special Olympics athletes.
Despite less-than-ideal weather conditions for the event held this past weekend, there was a good-sized crowd on hand on Friday evening, with the music taking place inside the Providence Bay arena.
“This event started in 2009 and we would have been celebrating our 15th anniversary this year if not for COVID,” said Ben Lentir, chair of the volunteer organizing committee. “So, this is our 13th year. All the proceeds raised from the weekend event will support our amazing Manitoulin Special Olympic athletes.”
On Friday evening, during a break in the music Janet Anning, coordinator for Manitoulin Special Olympics (MSO) introduced snowshoeing athlete Matthew Bedard. “Matthew is an amazing athlete. At the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games held in Calgary earlier this year, Matthew competed in the five kilometre, 800 metre and 1,600 metre events, winning a bronze medal in each event.”
Along with Mr. Bedard, Ms. Anning explained the MSO curling team won the gold medal at this year’s Canada Winter Games. The team includes skip Tyler Madahbee, vice Dylan Danville, second William LeClair and leads Dayne Tipper and Austin Recollet. She said it is the community support with those attending Bluegrass in the Country that goes a long way to providing the funds necessary for MSO athletes and teams to participate in events like Canada Special Olympics regional, provincial and national games.
“I would like to thank all of you here tonight for being here, to enjoy the great music and supporting MSO,” said Carol Hughes, MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, a guest speaker at Bluegrass on Friday evening. “It is all about all these special athletes and all of you who came out for the music and to help support the athletes.” She also praised the organizers of the event for all their efforts in putting on this type of event.
“We have a very good crowd here this evening which is fantastic,” said Bonita Mercer, master of ceremonies Friday evening. “We are very pleased to share our little paradise here with all those here tonight from off-Island. We are very proud to be Manitoulin Islanders!”
Ms. Mercer introduced each of the performers Friday evening, which included 2nd Line Bluegrass, Ben Lentir and the Lentir Family, Granite Hill and Simply Blu. She said in introducing Mr. Lentir and his children Karlee, Katelyn and George Michael, along with Murray Pritchard and Bob Bartlett, “It is so great to see a local family band like this perform. It just shows again that we have so much musical talent on the Island.”
Mr. Lentir said, “It is wonderful to see the love going on in the community, in support of our Special Olympic athletes.”
While the great music was being played, attendees had the opportunity to visit the many vendors selling their wares and food, inside and outside the arena.
While the weather didn’t cooperate much better on Saturday, there was a great crowd on hand to see and hear the music of performers Avery Drive, Simply Blu, Granite Hill, 2nd Line Bluegrass during the day and in the evening the Canucky Bluegrass Boys, The Barrel Boys and the featured band for the weekend, David Peterson and 1946.
On Sunday, a gospel show was held with music being provided by performers Ben Lentir, Robbie Shawana and The Barrel Boys.
