The Swift Current Broncos, The Living Sky Casino and Swift Current Mall are partnering to put Swift Current on the map with an exciting Autumn Fun Fest featuring country music legend Dwight Yoakam as the headliner.
“We’re really excited about this event,” said Diane Sletten, Broncos’ Assistant General Manager, Business Operations. “I mean Dwight Yoakam coming to Swift Current – that’s a pretty big name that we haven’t seen in this part of the province for a while.”
Yoakam is described as “too unique, too ruggedly individualistic” for traditional country, yet has developed a unique blend honouring his idols Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Buck Owens. He has recorded more than 21 albums in his 30-year career and sold more than 25 million records. He has also enjoyed a lucrative acting career, appearing in 24 films.
“We want this to be an annual event and with the Casino coming on board they’re interested in creating some big annual event as well, so we think it’s going to be a great thing that will grow bigger and better each year.”
The concert will be held outdoors at the Swift Current Mall’s north parking lot on Sept. 14 under the SIGA big tent, with JT Hodges and members of the Southwest Chapter of the SCMA opening for Yoakam.
Hodges has enjoyed great play with his debut single “Hunt You Down” and his second single, “Goodbyes Made You Mine” and will be promoting his upcoming self-titled album during the event.
“The event’s going to start at 4 p.m. We’ll have some food and stuff there and the music goes on at 6 p.m., so we’ll probably have two to three local artists performing first, and then we’ll have Jason Hodges, a new and up-and-comer in the country scene, and then finish off with Dwight Yoakam.”
Lionel Tootoosis, General Manager, Living Sky Casino, said, “We’ve been looking at doing this for some time. We’re about fun and excitement and so are the Broncos and we’re very happy to have something like this coming to Swift Current.
“It will do wonders for our community. The partnership we’ve had with the Broncos has been long-standing.
“We do have some tents and the casino has a really big tent that we’re going to be unveiling here in the city for the first time. It’s a SIGA tent and it’s huge,” added Sletten.
“There could be some alternate arrangements made if the weather is bad, but we’re looking at this as a mini-Craven. Whatever happens - rain, sunshine - hopefully people will show up.”
The Broncos and Living Sky Casino were looking for a venue that would draw people in from across the province.
“We’re looking at making our franchise viable and if we have to look at some other alternatives … those are things that we’re looking at. It’s all about the community, the southwest, and bringing people here and showcasing what we’ve got.”
Swift Current Mall is a secondary partner and offers a venue that is close to hotels in the area.
“We’re grateful to them for the cooperation that we’ve had in arranging to be able to use the parking lot.”
Tootoosis acknowledged, “We want to put Swift Current on the map - and the Living Sky Casino - in terms of the events that we bring to the city. We want this place to be a draw for many years to come.
“It’s about fun and excitement. We want to sell that exciting experience for our guests, and the Broncos are in business of selling an exciting product, and so are we with the entertainment. It’s a natural fit. We have a great staff here and we’re very excited to partner with them.”
Sletten added, “Now we need your help as well. We want to spread the word. This is an event for the entire southwest. It’s a big name coming to our community and we’re very excited about it.”
Tickets will be available beginning Aug. 15 and are $70 each. They can be purchased at the Broncos’ souvenir store or the Stable or by calling 773-1509.
