Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest turns 125 this weekend with JoJo Mason, lumberjack show, and costume 4-H parade

Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest turns 125 this weekend when gates open at the Albion Fairgrounds, celebrating a century and a quarter of the region's agricultural heritage and community gathering.

The anniversary is reflected in this year's theme, "Party Like It's 1901 – 125 Years of Fair Fun." Organizers are preparing the grounds for more than 300 youth involved in 4-H clubs from across the province and literally thousands of spectators. "This year we are super excited to celebrate 125 years," said the fair's general manager Graham Vanstone.

Established in 1901 as the Fall Fair to encourage the development of agriculture and foster both the mechanical and home arts, the fair has evolved into something much bigger. After undergoing many name changes throughout its existence, in 1998 it became known as the Maple Ridge Fair and shortly after that, it received its current title, Country Fest. Today, the historical fair is a celebration of community.

Guests will have front-row seats to all the 4-H competitions and can visit the barns housing cows, sheep, pigs, goats, and more. In addition to celebrating its agricultural roots, there is live entertainment and plenty of other attractions for the whole family.

July 25, opens with a soft opening from 2 p.m. when festival goers can catch local country artist Danielle Ryan and four-piece band Appaloosa on the Canadian Heritage Stage. Seniors aged 55 and older can attend a special 2-4 p.m. event featuring live music, complimentary refreshments, and discounted foods from the Maple Ridge Lions Club grill.

Opening ceremonies take place July 27, at 10:45 a.m. with a special dedication. Saturday entertainment runs all day from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and includes Wild Moccasin Dancers, Downtown Bollywood, country musician Matt Kennedy, the Country Cuties Dance Team, hard-hitting country band Dakota Pearl, multi-award-winning Canadian country artist Karen Lee Batten, and American Rock Legends. Headliner JoJo Mason takes the stage from 9 to 10 p.m. with his unique country sound. Mason has earned six Top 10 singles during the past decade, achieved CRIA gold certification for "Better On You," received multiple Canadian Country Music Association award nominations, and surpassed 50 million career streams. He is currently nominated for two B.C. Country Music Association awards.

Sunday begins with a church service from 10 to 11:30 a.m. before Feelin' Alright takes to the stage at 11:45 a.m., followed by the Silver Diamond Line Dancers, Canadian bluegrass band Jackson Hollow, and finally The Rundown, who will be closing the festival with covers of country hits from the 1980s, '90s, 2000s, and beyond.

Back at Country Fest this year is a lumberjack show at various times throughout the weekend. Shooting Star Amusements will have a midway running the entire weekend. At 6 p.m. Saturday there will be a costume contest for 4-H clubs where youth will be dressing up their animals and themselves. "Which is quadruple the amount that we've ever had," Vanstone said of the 90+ entries this year. All day Sunday, Gymkhana horse riding games will be available for guests to watch.