Skies were clear and the sun was warm as Cripple Creek Music Festival celebrated its 35th annual show. A total of fifteen local Bluegrass and Gospel groups took the stage this past Sunday, including performers like Rosemary Siemens, On the Edge, Homeland Harmony, and Stew Clayton. Highlighted groups that had never performed at Cripple Creek before were CSI Bluegrass, First Stop Heaven, Squirrel Creek Ramblers, and Rosebank Road.

Peter Klassen, President of the Cripple Creek Music Festival organization encourages the support of the community. “It’s a free festival, we don’t charge any admission. We really appreciate donations because there is a cost in running [the festival],” he said.

Overall, attendance numbers were high as people filled the shaded yard located a few miles south of Morden. Many attendees said they have been attending the music festival for all 35 years, some travelling as far as British Columbia to see the show.