Why 4-H is Great Concert raises $25,000 for Drumheller 4-H District

The fifth annual “Why 4-H is Great” concert took place this year at the Badlands Community Facility in Drumheller, Alberta. The eagerly anticipated event came to town on November 21, 2014, and exceeded all expectations becoming among one of the most successful “Why 4-H is Great” concerts to date.

The “Why 4-H is Great” contest is the result of a collaboration between Canadian Country music star Gord Bamford, ATB Financial, and 4-H Alberta. For the past five years, 4-H Alberta Districts have been invited to submit an audio visual entry highlighting “why 4-H is great” in their community. The winning District has the honor of hosting the Gord Bamford “Why 4-H is Great” community concert, with all ticket proceeds benefitting the local 4-H District and the 4-H Alberta Legacy Fund. This year’s outstanding top audio visual entry was submitted by the Drumheller 4-H District.

Approximately 175 4-H members, leaders, and their families volunteered their time to help make this event a success, working tirelessly to promote the concert and sell tickets, plan and organize, and perfect every detail of the event. “The Drumheller 4-H District experienced amazing community support from ATB Financial, Gord Bamford, and all concert goers who attended the event!” says Janice Hoover, Drumheller 4-H District. “We would like to thank and recognize the local media - Q91, Drum FM, Drumheller Mail & the Hanna Herald for providing great coverage of our event, both before and after the concert took place. Thank you to The Brick for providing The Best Seat in House couches for the concert “Couch Raffle”. Speaking on behalf of the Drumheller 4-H District, we couldn’t be more pleased with the results of this event and the support we have received!”

Prior to the taking the stage, Gord Bamford held a Q & A mentoring session with Drumheller 4-H members. This gave young 4-Hers the opportunity to interact with Gord one on one and to gain some insightful advice and inspirational thoughts. “It's always one of my favourite shows of the year. To be able to give back to an organization that has been an important part of my up bringing is a true honour,” says Gord Bamford. “Many of the life skills I use in life have been learned through 4-H and I am a proud alumni member and very thankful for this opportunity to be involved in the mentoring of our youth today.”

In addition to the top-notch show by 4-H Alberta Alumnus Gord Bamford, concert-goers also were able to enjoy some outstanding amateur home-grown 4-H talent who brought the crowd to their feet. The musical group The Cats and the Fiddles was selected as the winner of the 2014 “Why 4-H is Great” community concert musicians contest, with the prize being the honor of opening for Gord Bamford at the Drumheller concert. 

Bamford made a spectacular entrance when he took the stage donning a 4-H Alberta jersey. The 2014 Canadian Country Music Awards Male Artist of the Year had the audience tapping their toes and singing along to many of his country favourites, as well as some new material and a few Christmas tunes to keep things festive. By all accounts, was an evening full of great music and community spirit.

Over the past five years the partnership between ATB Financial, Gord Bamford, and 4-H Alberta has raised over $108,000 for 4-H districts in Alberta. “The “Why 4-H is Great” contest and concert would not be possible without our dedicated partners, ATB Financial and Gord Bamford. We would like to thank both for their commitment to providing this unique fundraising opportunity to our local 4-H Districts,” says Carmen Stone, Manager, Corporate Partnerships, 4-H Foundation of Alberta. “Thank you also to Drumheller 4-H District for reminding us all “Why 4-H is Great”. The countless hours and unwavering commitment to hosting such an outstanding event has made 4-H Alberta proud.”

“ATB Financial is proud to work with Gord Bamford and 4-H Alberta, and seeing the evolution of the “Why 4-H is Great” partnership is truly outstanding,” says Gary Friesen, the Managing Director of Business and Agriculture for Southern Alberta at ATB Financial. “Five years ago I saw Gord perform in Fort MacLeod in front of an audience of about 350, last Friday he played to another packed house in Drumheller exceeding 1,000 fans. The attendance at this event really showcases the work ethic and volunteerism apparent in Alberta’s 4-H clubs, and the popularity of Gord’s music.”

A total of 1,049 were sold for the 2014 “Why 4-H is Great” concert, with 15% of the proceeds contributed to the 4-H Alberta Legacy Fund, and the remainder benefitting the Drumheller 4-H District. This year, through concert ticket sales and addition fundraising for the event, a grand total of over $28,000 was raised by clubs in the Drumheller 4-H District. The funds will be shared among the four 4-H Clubs and the District. The money will be used to support 4-H programming such as workshops, clinics, and camps as well as putting some aside for an exchange program.