It was a celebration of gospel, country gospel and bluegrass music at a farmyard south of Morden on Sunday. Longtime organizer, Art Wiebe, figures the turnout for the 36th annual Cripple Creek Festival was at least as big as in 2016 but said he wouldn't be surprised if it ended up being a bit bigger. He added that the festival continues to play an important role in the region. "It's important to our community just to show the local talent that's right in our area and also to give people the opportunity to get together and socialize and see the different types of music that's around the area."The day started with gospel music in the morning followed by country gospel/bluegrass in the afternoon and evening.
    
Wiebe figures the crowd was about the same size as in 2016, maybe even a bit bigger. "We filled up about two to three hours earlier."When asked about what makes the Cripple Creek Festival so successful year-after-year, Wiebe explained that it's a combination of the musicians that are willing to come out and play for a small honorarium, the rural setting and the people that come out and help create a friendly and cheerful atmosphere.