The nail biting is over. Legal is in.
Yesterday the Big Valley Jamboree website announced the top 10 finalists in the Small Town Saturday Night contest. And the Town of Legal made the cut along with Bonnyville, Bashaw, Black Diamond, Cold Lake, Crowsnest Pass, Devon, High River, Plamondon and Stettler. There were 53 entries from across Alberta.
“I’m over the moon. I’m so excited about it. I wish I could put into words how I feel. I guess I haven’t had a chance to absorb it yet,” said Legal town councillor Trina Jones. She spoke with the Gazette minutes after receiving the news.
These 10 communities have been shortlisted but only one will win the opportunity to host a mini-Big Valley Jamboree concert in their own community on Saturday, April 28. A solid showcase of country performers is slated to appear including Dean Brody, Aaron Lines, Samantha King, Duane Steele, Shane Chisholm and Tim Hus.
Travel Alberta, working in partnership with Big Valley Jamboree, encouraged small towns across the province to showcase their spirit and passion by creating a two-minute video. The videos are posted on the BVJ website and viewers are encouraged to vote for their favourite.
Jones first heard of the idea in January at a town council meeting and offered to form a volunteer committee. Spearheading the project would be Jones, Phil Hughes, Leanne Rivard, lyricist Melanie Thibault and videographers Dan and Jeannie Charrois.
“We wanted to show off who we are as a town – our community spirit. This town runs on volunteers and that’s what we wanted to get across,” Jones said.
The Charrois’ kitchen became command centre where the committee met to thrash out ideas. They Facebooked, emailed, described the project in Legal’lerie, the town’s monthly newsletter and generally grabbed people off the street when needed.
Every video needs a good song and someone suggested doing a spoof on Toby Keith’s drinking song Red Solo Cup. Melanie Thibault stepped up to rewrite the lyrics and gave the refreshed family friendly tune a new moniker – Red Plastic Cup.
“I have a gift for rhyme and the lyrics were heartfelt. I was really feeling what I was saying. Some parts are even comical,” Thibault said.
A red plastic cup, with everyone toasting good cheer, became the video’s symbol, tying in every line and every video scene. With an endorsement from the committee, the lyrics were hammered out in two nights.
“We had to nail the song quickly because we had so many other things to do.”
Legal musician Keith Bennett heard of the song and offered his services. The recording was unusual but effective.
“He just had his guitar and was standing in the back of my walk-in closet. We used that room because the clothes naturally dampened the sound and we didn’t want to give it an echo effect,” explained Jeannie Charrois.
Charrois and her husband Dan meanwhile, picked up a camera and trooped around town shooting all the main points of interest: the schools, bank, hair salon, fitness centre, supermarket, hockey arena, curling rink and parks. At each stop they captured numerous volunteers from young children to seniors toasting beverages with red plastic cups. Overall they shot about three hours of footage.
“At one point I stopped taking footage. I didn’t want to disappoint anybody, but I had no idea where to put it,” Charrois said.
All told about 300 volunteers out of a population of 1,225 took part to complete the video.
“We don’t often have the opportunity to shine. This gives us a chance to showcase our pride in our town.”
This is one of the biggest marketing promotions Legal has ever attempted and at this point it’s the talk of the town.
Jones is confidant Legal can attract the votes to win.
“We have some pretty stiff competition, but we have an amazing chance.”
Voting started Tuesday, March 6 and will end Tuesday, March 20. Visit www.bigvalleyjamboree.com/stsn/vote to view the videos and cast your ballot.
