Active Mountain Entertainment’s digital countdown finally reached zero yesterday, marking the start of Merritt’s highly anticipated country music festival, back after a year a year hiatus.
Despite the wind and cold, crowds gathered at the festival grounds for the opening night performances, which included music stars such as Crystal Shawanda, Joe Nichols and surprise guest Chad Kroeger – Nickelback’s lead singer – who joined Nichols on stage for a duet halfway through his set.
The pair have performed together before and Kroeger has been known to cover Nichol’s song, Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off, in concert.
The evening also marked a first for singer/songwriter Marion Weston who opened the evening by telling the audience it has been a dream of hers to sing from Mountainfest’s main stage.
With more festival-goers expected to arrive for the weekend, Mountainfest will continue tonight featuring performers like Vince Gill, Aaron Pritchett and Dierks Bentley on the main stage.
