Homegrown talent performs at Liebenthal

By Joan Janzen

The recreation board at Liebenthal featured two days of talented country music entertainers on the weekend of April 13th and 14th. Liebenthal Community Hall became a hall of fame during the annual event, which has taken place annually since 2010, with the exception of a two-year absence.

L-R: Lanna Morgan, Daryl Wingenbach and Dave Hammel from Medicine Hat performed at Liebenthal on the April 13-14th weekend. Both Daryl and Dave grew up at Liebenthal. Photo by Joan Wagner

The talent comes from Eatonia, Fox Valley, Medicine Hat, and beyond. Each band or singer performs two songs, and the recreation board prepares and serves sausage on a bun during the Saturday break. On Sunday, the same group serves a full supper after the show. It’s a huge endeavour for such a small community.

“We always receive great comments about the talent of all the performers,” Cheryl Ehresman, a rec board member, said. This year, twelve acts entertained on Saturday and fourteen acts performed on Sunday. As usual, the rec board hired a coach bus to bring people from Medicine Hat to the event on Sunday.

Many of the talented individuals grew up in Liebenthal and the surrounding area or had connections with family and friends. All the performers volunteer and receive a free ticket and meal. Many out-of-town guests stayed to help clean up after the weekend concluded, which was greatly appreciated by the group of twelve to fifteen volunteers who hosted the event. The tiny hamlet receives more than 250 visitors throughout the weekend.

Hats off to a small group of volunteers who put on a successful two-day event every year.