Organizers of this year’s Falher Honey Festival in June are buzzing about this year’s lineup of professional Canadian singing talent. “We are extremely pleased and excited to have country singers Gord Bamford and Jesse Farrell performing at this year’s honey festival. It’s something pretty rare and unique for our community and region,” says Anne Lanctot, organizing committee coordinator for this year’s honey festival. Bamford and Farrell are no strangers to Canada’s country singing circuit. Nominated for 2008 JUNO “Country Recording Artist of the Year,” Bamford has struck gold with hit songs such as “Blame It On That Red Dress” and “Stayed Till Two.” In the past few years, Bamford has shared the stage with the likes of Tim McGraw, Terri Clark, Kenny Rogers and the legendary Don Williams. Farrell, meanwhile, was nominated for 2007 CCMA (Canadian Country Music Association) Female Artist of the Year, New Artist, and Single of the Year. She blasted onto the scene in 2007 with her smash hit “Let’s Talk About Love,” a single which garnered the most airplay at Canadian radio for an emerging artist. And it only got better from there for Farrell, who started 2008 started off with a bang, picking up honours for best new artist at Canadian Music Week in Toronto. She was also invited to represent Canadian Country in Nashville at “CMA Musicfest.” The two singers take centre stage inside the Falher Regional Recreation Complex on the evening of June 21 with Farrell performing at 8:30 p.m. followed by Bamford. A limited number of tickets are available for the performance with prices set at $40 per person in advance or $50 at the door. Tickets can be purchased beginning May 1 from the Town of Falher office, Za.hair.a hair and tanning studio and A&M Confectionary. Lanctot, meanwhile, says bringing in the two country performers reflects the goal of organizers in making this year’s honey festival the best ever. “We’re making it bigger and better than ever before,” Lanctot explains. Proof of that statement is supported by a virtual smorgasbord of events which highlight the 2008 Falher honey festival. That includes everything from a Much Video Youth Dance (with music, videos and dancing) at the recreational complex on June 20 between the hours of 7 to 11 p.m., to the honey barbecue rib cook-off, popular bee beard demonstration, parade on Saturday morning beginning at 11 a.m., a beer gardens, carnival games for residents of all ages as well as a slow pitch tournament and magic show. And that’s merely scratching the surface. “We’re also introducing a beekeepers’ pavilion, which will showcase the existing products and services offered by Falher and area honey producers and provide insight into the honey bee industry,” says Lanctot, adding that the Falher and area history book committee is also unveiling its new four-volume (600 pages each) history book on June 21 at the Falher Log cabin. Another attraction worth checking out is a customer appreciation barbecue hosted by ATCO Electric on Saturday, June 21 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Watch future editions of the Smoky River Express for regular updates on the Falher Honey Festival.