Legal claims top prize in Small Town Saturday Night

They're going to get their wish.

The town of Legal has been awarded the right to host its own mini Big Valley Jamboree concert Saturday, April 28, featuring country music stars Dean Brody, Aaron Lines, Samantha King, Duane Steele, Shane Chisholm and Tim Hus.

The concert was the grand prize in a Small Town Saturday night contest put on by Panhandle Productions and Travel Alberta, which invited communities to submit two minute videos telling what makes their community special.

"We received 53 videos from a broad cross section of Alberta towns," said Panhandle Productions producer Larry Werner.

"We were hoping we would receive 10 or 12."

Legal's entry featured residents hoisting a red cup and singing, "We want a party. Bring us a party."

The community is known as a destination for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fishing and hiking.

The videos received more than 100,000 public votes from across Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan.

"There were many exceptionally high quality applications that showcased the tremendous community spirit and enthusiasm from rural Alberta," said Werner. "We had a great cross section of Alberta communities represented and I would like to thank everyone for participating. Your involvement turned this into a great community event."

Legal town councillor Trina Jones said the town had fun producing the video and is now looking forward to show people what it has to offer.

"It's going to be a lot of hard work but we are looking forward to everything that is coming."

All proceeds from the Small Town Saturday Night Concert will go towards the Friends of Legal School Society to build the children of Legal a new playground.

Tourism Parks and Recreation Minister Jack Hayden, who helped present the Small Town Saturday Night award at the Growing Rural Tourism Conference April 3, expressed confidence that Legal would put on an excellent show.

The minister also commended all the communities who participated in the contest.

"The experience that you went through and the preparation you did is only going to make your area stronger."

Travel Alberta Chief Executive Officer Bruce Okabe said the contest has shone a spotlight on Alberta's small communities and is sure to drive tourism to some lesser-known destinations around the province.

He added that every Albertan is a beneficiary of the province's tourism economy.

Legal was one of five finalists in the Small Town Saturday Night contest, along with Bashaw, Bonnyville, Devon and High River. The four runners-up received a $1,000 cheque from Travel Alberta to be donated to a charity of their choice.