First ever Boogie/Country Jamboree a hit in Bellrock

Julie DRuker | Sep 13, 2013

Coming up with a unique fundraiser can be a difficult task for even the most creative types. Not so for Michelle Sigsworth and Ted Lalonde, the two people responsible for brainstorming the latest fundraiser at the Bellrock community hall, Bellrock’s first ever Boogie, which attracted a crowd of close to 150 on September 7.

What accounted for the sizable crowd - apart from the perfect sunshine, the hall canteen’s home-baked goodies, the barbequed wieners and cotton candy - were the top-notch country bands that took to the outdoor hay wagon stage and entertained the listeners, many of whom sported cowboy hats and lounged atop the hay stack seating provided by Carl Grant of Grant Farms in Bellrock, who also provided the stage.

Credit for the stellar roster of country talent goes to 26-year-old event organizer Ted Lalonde, who is also lead singer and guitarist with the band Texas Tuxedo and played at the event. Ted grew up in Verona and now lives in Yarker. He has been playing music since he was just wee lad, when his grandfather Alvin Dafoe taught him how to play the spoons. He is now a well-known face in Kingston's country music scene. Lalonde not only offered up his own talents, but as a professional on the scene he was able to attract the impressive list of solid country crooners from in and around Kingston who joined him onstage.

They included Nashville recording artist Adam Knapp and his band Kickback along with a number of closer to home bands, which included Kingston radio personality and musician Jeff Code and the Silver Wings, Bob Goodberry and Chuck D'Aoust.

Lalonde and Sigsworth had approached the community hall association with the idea of holding a country jamboree fundraiser. Coupled with Lalonde’s ability to gather the talent, Sigsworh added her own signature to the event. She had cowboy hats for sale for a reasonable price, which buyers were encouraged to decorate to their own personal specifications.

The event was free and guests were invited to make a free will donation, which in the end raised over $600 for the hall. The funds will go towards upgrading and furnishing the Bellrock community playground an

Coming up with a unique fundraiser can be a difficult task for even the most creative types. Not so for Michelle Sigsworth and Ted Lalonde, the two people responsible for brainstorming the latest fundraiser at the Bellrock community hall, Bellrock’s first ever Boogie, which attracted a crowd of close to 150 on September 7.

What accounted for the sizable crowd - apart from the perfect sunshine, the hall canteen’s home-baked goodies, the barbequed wieners and cotton candy - were the top-notch country bands that took to the outdoor hay wagon stage and entertained the listeners, many of whom sported cowboy hats and lounged atop the hay stack seating provided by Carl Grant of Grant Farms in Bellrock, who also provided the stage.

Credit for the stellar roster of country talent goes to 26-year-old event organizer Ted Lalonde, who is also lead singer and guitarist with the band Texas Tuxedo and played at the event. Ted grew up in Verona and now lives in Yarker. He has been playing music since he was just wee lad, when his grandfather Alvin Dafoe taught him how to play the spoons. He is now a well-known face in Kingston's country music scene. Lalonde not only offered up his own talents, but as a professional on the scene he was able to attract the impressive list of solid country crooners from in and around Kingston who joined him onstage.

They included Nashville recording artist Adam Knapp and his band Kickback along with a number of closer to home bands, which included Kingston radio personality and musician Jeff Code and the Silver Wings, Bob Goodberry and Chuck D'Aoust.

Lalonde and Sigsworth had approached the community hall association with the idea of holding a country jamboree fundraiser. Coupled with Lalonde’s ability to gather the talent, Sigsworh added her own signature to the event. She had cowboy hats for sale for a reasonable price, which buyers were encouraged to decorate to their own personal specifications.

The event was free and guests were invited to make a free will donation, which in the end raised over $600 for the hall. The funds will go towards upgrading and furnishing the Bellrock community playground and park with new park benches and picnic tables. Bob Brown, treasurer of the Bellrock Community Hall Association, was thrilled with the turnout. “This kind of event not only brings in members of the village but also attract individuals and families from the surrounding areas as well. This event was such an overwhelming success that we are definitely planning to do it again.”

Lalonde and Sigsworth are also hoping to see the event become

Coming up with a unique fundraiser can be a difficult task for even the most creative types. Not so for Michelle Sigsworth and Ted Lalonde, the two people responsible for brainstorming the latest fundraiser at the Bellrock community hall, Bellrock’s first ever Boogie, which attracted a crowd of close to 150 on September 7.

What accounted for the sizable crowd - apart from the perfect sunshine, the hall canteen’s home-baked goodies, the barbequed wieners and cotton candy - were the top-notch country bands that took to the outdoor hay wagon stage and entertained the listeners, many of whom sported cowboy hats and lounged atop the hay stack seating provided by Carl Grant of Grant Farms in Bellrock, who also provided the stage.

Credit for the stellar roster of country talent goes to 26-year-old event organizer Ted Lalonde, who is also lead singer and guitarist with the band Texas Tuxedo and played at the event. Ted grew up in Verona and now lives in Yarker. He has been playing music since he was just wee lad, when his grandfather Alvin Dafoe taught him how to play the spoons. He is now a well-known face in Kingston's country music scene. Lalonde not only offered up his own talents, but as a professional on the scene he was able to attract the impressive list of solid country crooners from in and around Kingston who joined him onstage.

They included Nashville recording artist Adam Knapp and his band Kickback along with a number of closer to home bands, which included Kingston radio personality and musician Jeff Code and the Silver Wings, Bob Goodberry and Chuck D'Aoust.

Lalonde and Sigsworth had approached the community hall association with the idea of holding a country jamboree fundraiser. Coupled with Lalonde’s ability to gather the talent, Sigsworh added her own signature to the event. She had cowboy hats for sale for a reasonable price, which buyers were encouraged to decorate to their own personal specifications.

The event was free and guests were invited to make a free will donation, which in the end raised over $600 for the hall. The funds will go towards upgrading and furnishing the Bellrock community playground and park with new park benches and picnic tables. Bob Brown, treasurer of the Bellrock Community Hall Association, was thrilled with the turnout. “This kind of event not only brings in members of the village but also attract individuals and families from the surrounding areas as well. This event was such an overwhelming success that we are definitely planning to do it again.”

Lalonde and Sigsworth are also hoping to see the event become a regular annual event but Ted Lalonde has even bigger plans than that. He said that he hopes to hold a number of similar, smaller jamborees at the hall on an ongoing basis. “We were very pleased with the turnout and were really happy to see so many families come out to enjoy it. We’re sure that other similar events would be as well attended.”

a regular annual event but Ted Lalonde has even bigger plans than that. He said that he hopes to hold a number of similar, smaller jamborees at the hall on an ongoing basis. “We were very pleased with the turnout and were really happy to see so many families come out to enjoy it. We’re sure that other similar events would be as well attended.”

d park with new park benches and picnic tables. Bob Brown, treasurer of the Bellrock Community Hall Association, was thrilled with the turnout. “This kind of event not only brings in members of the village but also attract individuals and families from the surrounding areas as well. This event was such an overwhelming success that we are definitely planning to do it again.”

Lalonde and Sigsworth are also hoping to see the event become a regular annual event but Ted Lalonde has even bigger plans than that. He said that he hopes to hold a number of similar, smaller jamborees at the hall on an ongoing basis. “We were very pleased with the turnout and were really happy to see so many families come out to enjoy it. We’re sure that other similar events would be as well attended.”