By Katie Ryan
It’s that time of year again to head to the Exhibition grounds and kick up your heels.
The Westridge GMC CPCA finals are rolling into town this week, which means quality fun and entertainment are to be found Saturday night at the chuckwagon cabaret.
Ezzie’s On the Border owner and sponsor Dean Mayner calls the cabaret one of the hottest tickets in town, promising the most bang for your buck.
“If you are going to go to anything all year, this is definitely in the top three,” he said. “If you are picking and choosing because money is tight right now for most people, this definitely one you want to go to. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
According to Mayner, if it wasn’t for the cabaret much of Lloydminster and surrounding area would have to hit the road to enjoy musicians and bands like the Sawyer Brown, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and this year’s headlining act George Canyon.
“The acts that we are getting are getting bigger,” he said.  “The Agricultural Association is able to bring in acts that a regular promoter wouldn’t. They are able to take a bigger chance because you have to sell a certain number of tickets and they have the backing. They have the history to be able to take those chances which allows us to see bigger and better acts all the time, acts that you would probably have to go to Edmonton or Saskatoon to see.”
An estimated 1,800 will be heading out to the Saskatchewan Building for the cabaret, where almost like the Cheers saying, most people will know your name.
“This is the kind of event that you could go to by yourself and end up with a group of people that you know,” said Mayner, adding chuckwagons have steadily gained in popularity over the years.  “It just seems to have gotten onto a roll and become one of the major things of the year to go to.”
Since Mayner signed on to sponsor the popular event five years ago, with every boot stomping party the cabaret continues to grow.
“I’m always optimistic. Yes, I did think it would get this big. Did a lot of other people? No, but the guys at the (Exhibition) grounds like Mike Sidoryk have faith in it and that’s what it takes sometimes,” he said. “You have to have faith in the fact that people are going to come out and enjoy someone like George Canyon.”
Mayner said the cabaret appeals to a large cross section of people because today’s brand of country music draws larger crowds.
“I think country music as a whole has broadened its spectrum. It appeals to a lot more people than it did say 10 years ago because the music style has changed a little bit, it’s not as old style country there’s a little more rock ‘n roll and bluegrass mixed in with it,” he said.
“You don’t necessarily have to be a huge country music fan to go to that cabaret and have a good time.”
Tickets for the cabaret are $40 in advance or $45 at the door. For ticket information  call 306-825-5571.