Saskatchewan musician Jeffrey Straker is the guest performer at this year’s Mortlach Saskatoon Berry Festival, where he will entertain visitors with his folk-roots music as he’s done since starting his career in 2006.
The 14th annual festival occurs on Saturday, June 17, in the small village about 30 minutes west of Moose Jaw on Highway 1.
The event — featuring the tagline “5,000 people with purple teeth can’t be wrong” — kicks off with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m., followed by fun and tasty activities throughout the day.
After everyone has eaten mouth-watering flapjacks, the popular parade begins around 11 a.m. Anyone can join, but participants should contact the festival committee first to register.
From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., vendors will hawk their wares and likely have what festival-goers want, from food to crafts to books, health supplements, linens, jewelry, and other items. Other activities include car smashes, a dunk tank, wagon rides and beer gardens.
The committee will feature more entertainment throughout the day and announce those other acts before the big day. The music normally kicks off around noon and runs until 4 p.m.
There will also be several activities for kids, from bouncy castles to a petting zoo to face painting. These events take place in Vimy Park starting in the morning.
Attendees are also encouraged to visit some of Mortlach’s businesses, such as the Antique Abbey, DJ’s, Franklyn’s Eatery, Military Memories, Mortlach Museum, Painted Brush Creations, The Farmstand General Store and The Pit Stop.
As for those ever-popular saskatoon berry pies, attendees can purchase — and savour — a whole pie or a slice beginning around 9 a.m. until quantities run out. However, organizers suggest people pre-order a pie to guarantee receiving one because they normally sell out quickly.
Committee member Josh Hourie says they are excited to have Straker perform at the festival.
“I think it’s going to be fantastic. I think a lot of people will recognize Jeffrey from Telemiracle, of course. If you’re a regular viewer of Telemiracle, you will certainly recall Jeffrey’s performance,” Hourie said.
“I think his brand of music and his musical stylings will be a great fit for the berry festival,” he continued. “I think the folks who are looking to attend the day will … enjoy the vendors and music from Jeffrey that we have on tap for the day.”
Straker is a singer-songwriter-pianist who grew up taking piano lessons in small-town Punnichy, raised by a church organist mother and an auctioneer father. He now performs at over 100 shows per year across Canada and Europe and has been compared to Harry Chapin, Kris Kristofferson and Billy Joel.
Serving up a roots-folk brand of music, Straker’s songs transport listeners onto a lake in Canada’s North or the main street of a prairie town.
Named Roots-Folk Artist of the Year in consecutive Saskatchewan Music Awards, Straker has also been honoured with a Western Canadian Music Award, while the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards has twice named him keyboard player of the year.
The berry festival is Morlach’s largest yearly fundraiser, with all money raised staying in the community to support programs such as kids’ summer camps, Hourie said. While that is important, residents are just thrilled to share their community with area neighbours.
“It is an honour to host them, and we look forward to it every single year,” he added.
Visit the Village of Mortlach’s website or the festival’s Facebook page for a complete schedule of activities and to pre-order pies.
