5th Annual Raymond Music Festival this Saturday

Westwind Weekly News File Photo

By Heather Cameron
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The 2024 Raymond Music Festival will be held on August 10, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Cory Rasmussen, Director of Finance for Hardy Nutritionals, says that the show will kick off with O’ Canada at 2 p.m. and will follow with Lisa Hamilton at 2:10 p.m., Jaylin Rasmussen at 2:30 p.m., Ivory Rasmussen at 2:45 p.m., Aubrey Hardy at 3 p.m., Aubrey Shurtz at 3:10 p.m., and the Haynes Family at 3:30 p.m. 

At 4 p.m. Rasmussen says, Heather Akuso will perform and be followed by Marisa Wight at 4:15 p.m., Matthew Jensen at 4:30 p.m., Down to Earth at 5 p.m. and Bruce Peterson and Ranahan at 6 p.m.

Saints and Sinners will then perform at 7 p.m., Rasmussen says, and will be followed by SI at 8 p.m., Rebel Angels at 9 p.m., and Abracadabra will close out the festival at 10 p.m.

“This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Raymond Music Festival,” said Rasmussen. “In the summer of 2020, most live music events across Alberta were cancelled. However, a small group of people, Shaun Cahoon, myself and Barbara Nalder, decided that an outdoor event could be achieved under the maximum of 200 people gathering restriction that was in place at the time.”

Rasmussen says that this live music event was held at the newly built Victoria Sports Park and was recorded from a multi camera source and streamed online. 

“The first festival had 17 local singers and musicians as well as 3 bands – CODA, Saints and Sinners and Between Skies,” said Rasmussen. “Two years later the festival would swell to 13 bands and 24 local musicians. Throughout these years we have been pleased to host such local talent as Mark Mitchell and local Magrath band Good Company.”

In terms of admission to the festival, Rasmussen says Senior, youth and students only pay only $10 each while adults pay $15, and household families pay $40 each. If people can’t make the live show, Rasmussen says, online tickets are $7. Media, Rasmussen says, is invited free of charge and must notify the gate of their presence.

Rasmussen says that in addition to music, there will also be food and Jerry’s Pop Shop on site and encourages everyone to bring a bleacher cushion. All acts involved in the festival will also get a multi-angle video copy of their performance, Rasmussen says.

For more information about the festival or those involved, visit: https://www.facebook.com/RaymondMusicFestival. 

“Come on out to watch the show and support local musicians,” said Rasmussen.