COBDEN — The Headstones are headlining this year’s inaugural Whitewater Streetstrut, the event to celebrate Canada 150 in the Township of Whitewater Region.
Councillor Chris Olmstead, one of the committee members along with Reeve Terry Millar and Councillor Daryl McLaughlin, have been working hard to secure a headliner for Streetstrut.
“We’ve been going back and forth trying to secure a number of headliners,” said Coun. Olmstead at the May 24 recreation and culture committee. “At the 11th hour, we were fortunate to get a band of this magnitude.”
Headstones is a Canadian band whose members are between 40 and 50 years old who play music that will appeal to those aged 25 to 55, he said.
To secure the band, $25,000 was needed to sign the contract with The Feldman Agency, who is representing The Headstones, and the Township agreed to provide the funds. It’s expected the money will be recouped at the end of the event. The Days Dream for Dollars will be special guests that evening as well.
“We have a strong committee put together and I believe we will have a real, real successful event, Coun. Olmstead said.
His concern is there may be too many people at the event, which is on Saturday, July 15 and runs from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., with the evening’s paid event starting at 7 pm.
Reeve Millar said the free family portion, which runs until 5 p.m., will include pony rides, vendors and other family-run events.
There are 4,000 tickets to be sold, but it’s expected the location, which is Main Street of Cobden from Crawford to John streets, can hold about 8,000 people, he said. The cost per ticket has yet to be determined.
Throughout the day, vendors and activities will be set up on the street, and everyone can come and go freely at no cost. At 5 p.m., the street will be transformed into a music concert venue before opening the gates for the evening’s entertainment.
“This will be an event the Region can be proud of, Coun. Olmstead said.
It’s expected this event will be held each year in a different area of Whitewater Region.
Hoping for Sponsors
The committee is currently seeking local businesses and organizations to support this one day event. There are numerous ways to get involved and several levels of support.
If interested in being a part of this event and supporting it, email Jordan Durocher, manager of community services for the township, at jdurocher @hitewaterregion.ca or call him, 613-646-2282.
