2023 Cochrane Culture Days was a blast

The 2023 Cochrane Culture Days brought the music to where the people were and received rave reviews from spectators.

Being coordinated for the fourth year by the Cochrane Integrated Arts Society (CIAS) it featured performances at the Cochrane Farmers' Market on Sept. 9 and the following day in the Historic Downtown during the hugely popular Fall Colours Show and Shine.

"The response was so enthusiastic," says CIAS president Jane Kaczmer. "The performers couldn't have been happier with the weather, and lots of people at the market and at the car show came around to watch and listen for quite a while, and really, really enjoyed it"

The Celtic band the Drowsy Maggies kicked off the Cochrane Farmers' Market performances. 

They were followed by the Stoney Mînî Thnî Dancers.

Kaczmer received an enthusiastic email about the vibe in the Historic Downtown on Sunday.

"They said it was such a cool sort of small-town vibe of people being active and happy doing things around town. We love collaborating with the car show and with the farmers' market. It just works, It's perfect."

Riverside Jazz was among the downtown performers.

Sunday afternoon, Fig and Fusion combined with pipe major JP Searle and drummer Rick Deans, of the Cochrane Pipe Band, to delight the crowd with a performance of the Paul McCartney song Mull of Kintyre.

Fig Fusion with JP Searle and Lesie and Rick Deans of the Cochrane Pipe Band after combining to perform Mull of Kintyre.

She says the artisan market at Wazin Îchinabi Ti (House of Oneness) was well received, as was the teepee raised a few blocks over on 2nd Ave. 

"There were lots of people there and they had a good time putting up the teepee and had a dancer there and a young fellow who was drumming and singing."

The Balloons and Butterflies balloon twisters and Imagine That YYC Face Painting were kept busy at both locations.

"Balloons and Butterflies brought 500 balloons to give away and they ran out. So it showed what a fantastic crowd there was for the car show and we loved being there to perform for them. Everyone was just delighted." 

Kaczmer says it couldn't be possible without many generous supporters.

"We are so grateful for grants from Alberta Culture, the Town of Cochrane and Treasures For Your Home Society and our generous sponsors – Erol’s Automotive, Spray Lake Sawmills, Co-operators, Riverbend Interiors, A Clark Roofing & Siding, and Ink’d Graphics who support this wonderful weekend event for the benefit of Cochrane and area residents."

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