There’s no better way to brush off the mid-week blues than a stroll on the Esplanade with a bite to eat and the live sounds of a popular music duo.
Tonight (Wednesday) the Trail outdoor market returns from 4-8 p.m. next to Jubilee Park. Visitors may want to take in a street side view of the new Riverfront Centre build before walking riverside for a funky vendor line up, a fundraising barbeque with the Local 480 crew, and a performance by Gary Horne and Barbara Young of HY2.
This is the first time the versatile duet will take centre stage at the evening venue, but they’ve already been a hit indoors when they played at the United Way Trail and District’s Christmas Market fundraiser.
“They are new to the area, originally from Calgary, and moved here last fall,” says Executive Director Naomi McKimmie from the United Way Trail and District. “They were very popular at our indoor winter market, people really enjoyed their music.”
HY2 describes their repertoire as “everything from the Everly Brothers to Adele,” dance to ballads, classic rock, country and blues from the 50s to present day.
Their golden oldies will be particularly fitting because the evening market will feature a mini-car show with vehicles from the Smoke n’ Steel Car Club, McKimmie said.
Classic cars, food, a family zone, music and local merchants are all in a days work for the market organizers from the United Way Trail and District - the event is the group’s summer fundraiser with all proceeds directed back into local charitable causes.
Market attendance has been average to date, which McKimmie chalks up to the extreme weather from June to August as well as the ongoing smoky conditions.
So this week, she’s hoping for a big crowd because supporting local vendors bolsters funding to help 15 different organizations provide 21 programs from Rossland to Trail and through to the Beaver Valley including electoral areas.
“Visitors to the market are supporting the United Way by supporting our local home-based businesses and organizations,” McKimmie explained. “The more business they can get done, the more they can come back to the market as vendors.”
The United Way raises money through vendor fees.
“And that way we are helping to support small home-based businesses,” she added. “As well as them, in turn, helping to support our community while giving a wider variety of shopping items for the community.”
Local merchants confirmed for Wednesday night include the Biggest Little Fruit Stand, Eugen’s Hungarian baking, jams and jellies, a popular Rossland vendor called Mama Hogg’s Dressing, Mama Bear Baking, even healthy treats for dogs from Two Grey’t Grams.
For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page Trail Market on the Esplanade.
HY2 has been featured in magazines and other media, both Gary and Barb are lead vocalists and harmonists.
Before relocating to the Kootenays they performed at events along with other leading artists including, “Twoshine County” (CCMA Finalists 2016), “Samm Smith” (The Voice 2016), and “Jay Dee Bixby” (Canadian Idol runner up 2007).