| Media Release Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Hike Haliburton Festival Features Celebrity Hikers
The 10th anniversary of the Hike Haliburton Festival is a celebration of trails, fresh air, healthy living and having fun with friends and family. From September 20th to the 23rd, people of all ages and abilities will participate in over 45 guided themes offered throughout the Haliburton Highlands, and they may find themselves rubbing shoulders with some very interesting people.
The Hike Haliburton Festival has invited several celebrities to join some of the hikes and make appearances at several Festival events. Organizers are not revealing what hikes and activities the celebrities will be participating in. “We want to create an atmosphere of surprise and suspense and provide our visitors with another reason to take a hike”, says Maria Micallef, Tourism Coordinator for the County of Haliburton, “everyone will having an equal chance of finding themselves chatting with a celebrity”. Hikers and festival goers will encounter celebrities that are local and others that have travelled some distance to be part of the Festival. Hikers might have occasion to see and interact with the following celebrities.
Jane Bunnett, a flutist, saxophone player and pianist, has won multiple Juno awards, been nominated for several Grammy Awards and most recently, was honoured with an appointment to the Order of Canada. An internationally acclaimed musician, Jane Bunnett is known for her Afro-Cuban melodies and her creative integrity, improvisational daring and courageous artistry. She has a cottage in North Hastings and is very excited to be part of the Hike Haliburton Festival.
Suzie Vinnick, the owner of a gorgeous powerful voice and performs with a sweet mixture of engaging candidness and unparalleled musicianship. Her Me ‘n’ Mabel album was nominated for a 2012 JUNO Award in the Blues Album of the Year category, she’s a five-time winner of the Maple Blues Award for Best Female Vocalist, a two-time winner of the Maple Blues Award for Best Songwriter, and in December she won Contemporary Singer of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards.
Jason Fowler is a highly respected Toronto singer/songwriter, session guitarist and producer. He has released six independent CDs under his own name and has played on over 100 albums. In addition to his own successful solo career, Jason is also currently the Musical Director & Guitarist for renowned Irish tenor John McDermott, and has toured with him since 2001. Jason performed recently with John McDermott at the Forest Festival
Johnny Burke is an award winning country music star who was just inducted in the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. He has recorded 14 albums and played on countless others. Johnny has performed with many country greats and on the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville Now, and Nashville Network, His hit record “Wild Honey” performed with his band East wind was named single of the year in 1978. Johnny resides with his wife, Teresa, in the Haliburton Highlands.
Carl Dixon continues to live his life of music in the Haliburton Highlands after a distinguished career as a rock and roll musician. Carl has played with Coney Hatch, April Wine and The Guess Who. Current projects include reunion concerts with Coney Hatch, production of a full album for a group of local youth called Victoria Secrets, numerous solo shows with songs from two recent released CDs, and the writing an autobiography.
Kevin Callan whose mantra is “making the outside fun, one misadventure at a time” is the author of thirteen books, including the best selling “The Happy Camper” and an incredibly popular series of paddling guides, Callan is also a frequent guest on radio and television, including morning shows (Canada AM, Breakfast TV, Ottawa A, Ottawa Roger’s Daytime) and he hosts his own CBC Radio show coast to coast titled “The Happy Camper”. He is a winner of four National Magazine Awards and three film awards.
Other celebrities are expected to participate. A full list of celebrities is available on the Festival’s web site – www.hikehaliburton.com . Please register for hikes, BBQs and concerts in advance by calling 705-705-1777 or 1-800-461-7677 or emailing tourism@haliburtonholidays.com . All hikes and events are free unless otherwise indicated. Donations are welcome.Be sure to pick up a Festival Map at the Tourism Information Centre.
Media Contact:
Maria Micallef
Tourism Coordinator
County of Haliburton
705-286-1777
mmicallef@county.haliburton.on.ca |
Century 21 Granite Realty Group 