Storm shuts down Big Valley early, Toby Keith forced to leave the stage

CAMROSE – Sheets of rain and hail, along with a few hefty gusts of wind, shut the party down early at Big Valley Jamboree on Saturday night.

Half the fans ran swarmed exits and tents bordering the country music festival’s concert bowl as the skies opened up a few songs into headliner Toby Keith’s set. Environment Canada issued a severe weather warning for Camrose and Camrose County earlier in the evening, forcing the country star of the stage for about an hour.

Keith was greeted by a menacing sky and zigzags of lightning, as well as thousands of fans who couldn’t care less about the billowing blackness above them.

Some fans, however, hovered near the peripheries, ready to make a beeline should things turn rainy.

“We’ve got a storm brewing,” Keith said. “If you don’t care, I don’t care. I’ll stay.”

Cheers rang out from fans eager to continue partying with the Red Solo Cup artist, who eventually had to break his promise and leave the stage once the storm hit. Some fans tweeted about taking cover in nearby porta-potties to wait out the worst of it.

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Organizers are vigilant about weather after a windstorm in 2009 toppled the Big Valley stage, killing one woman and injuring others.

Earlier in the day on Saturday, the weather was quite the opposite. Friday may have been warm, but Saturday afternoon was the real scorcher. Day 3 of Big Valley Jamboree brought some seriously sizzling weather and equally hot mainstage acts that got the crowd so sweaty their clothing – underwear included – needed to be wrung out.

The festival had fans busting out neon bikinis, short shorts and sunscreen while enjoying another stacked lineup of country music.

Earlier in the morning, producer Larry Werner confirmed Big Valley had indeed sold out. This is a first for the festival, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this weekend, and a well-earned achievement considering the smooth operation of Saturday’s afternoon’s events.

Just before noon, many fans gathered for Bulls For Breakfast, a mini rodeo that had many of the little country fans entertained. The Marketplace buzzed with shoppers seeking cowboy hats to shelter them from the sun’s potent rays. And the greasy food flowed freely, presumably a remedy for a late night of shenanigans.

The AXE Music Songwriter’s Workshop proved to be an early afternoon delight, featuring artists such as Juno Award-winning Alberta artist Clayton Bellamy and up-and-comer sister duo The Doll Sisters. It was a good ol’ country jam session, no rules and no strings attached, except for the ones that were expertly picked and plucked.

The mainstage highlights included La Crete trio High Valley, American husband/wife duo Thompson Square and superstar Dwight Yoakam.