Dozens to compete at the 31st annual Open Country Singing Contest

Over 70 contestants are signed up for the 31st annual Northern Ontario Open Country Singing Contest early next month.

The event goes Friday, August 2nd through Sunday, August 4th at Callander’s Bill Barber complex.

The competition includes a variety of male and female classes, duets and kids karaoke.

Organizer Harley Renaud says the contest is a big draw for music fans.

“Each year it’s just fantastic to see the amount of people that come from all over the place, not just here in town, they come from Windsor, Timmins, you name it, all over Ontario,” he says.

There’s food and other vendors on site, plus there’s another option for those that don’t want to worry about parking.

“We do have a bus running from Northgate Shopping Centre, going right to the community centre, where people can bring their chair with them,” Renaud says. “It’s $5 each time you get on the bus.”

The bus leaves Northgate each day at 11 am and returns at 9 pm.

(File photo by station staff)