by Scott Schmidt

For three days each July, a small recreational area outside of Fort Macleod transforms into one of the best parties southern Alberta has to offer.

The South Country Fair – which runs July 16-18 – is a festival of folk music and entertainment, which attracts hundreds of campers, performers and travelling vendors from all around the world. Just last summer, bands came from as far as Africa to perform for the folks at SCF.

What appeals to the continuing underground following of SCF’s regular fans is its peaceful but exciting atmosphere. People come to meet new friends, enjoy wonderfully diverse music and entertainment and to simply escape the everyday stressful grind of life.

This is one of the most special folk festivals because of the intimacy of Fish and Game Park. Big city life is a long way away and your whole world will be a few stages, some food and trinket vendors, a campground and the cool escape of the Old Man River.

Fort Macleod’s Fish and Game Park becomes infused with tents and RV’s spread throughout, keeping the party non-stop for the whole weekend. So even after the scheduled entertainment finishes up for the day, the fun continues for campers well into the night.

Advanced full event passes are just $80 ($70 for students/seniors) and are available online at www.scfair.ab.ca or at Josee’s, 412 1st Ave. S. in Lethbridge. Tickets at the gate are $100 ($90).