Select a region
Thousands of people of all ages expected to fill Halkett Place this August Bank Holiday Sunday 27th for the 3rd Halkett Hoedown.
BBC Radio & Old Grey Whistle Test Presenter ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris is coming to Jersey to host the 2017 Hoedown. Bob is synonymous with Country & Americana music and hailed the world over as an ambassador for the genre. He has also presented a number of Television programmes about Nashville for the BBC. Bob Harris OBE has been awarded countless accolades for his tireless work promoting the artists he loves & believes in. Recently that’s included Jersey’s very own Frankie Davies who has performed for Bob on his ‘Under The Apple Tree’ stage at a number of events including C2C at Londons O2. Although Frankie will be performing at The Jersey Opera House on 08th August, she’ll be away performing in Ireland at the huge Country show ‘Harvest Festival’ on the 27th, but Bob Harris will be bringing the Under The Apple Tree studio with him to Jersey and recording performances by local artists for publication by WBBC (Whispering Bob Broadcasting Company).
The inaugural Hoedown (a not for profit event) took place in 2014 and was followed up in 2015 with another, even bigger event. Both events were a huge success, donating over £40,000.00 to Headway Jersey who provide essential support, information and services to people in Jersey who are affected by brain injury. This year the event will spread the love and support five local charities including Brig Y Don Children’s Charity, The British Heart Foundation Jersey, Headway Jersey, Mencap Jersey & The Jersey Alzheimers Association. The Hoedown was the brainchild of David Stokes proprietor of Bean Around the World together with Niall MacFirbhisigh of Stoked Music & Louise Stirling fundraising and events coordinator who came up with the idea as a way to create an amazing street party in the centre of town and in the process raise funds & awareness for Jersey’s Charities. David went on to win 2015 Community Champion of the Year at the Pride of Jersey Awards for his work with the Hoedown and other fundraising events.
In 2017 the Hoedown will take place on Sunday 27th August. Halkett Place will be closed to traffic and town really will meet country, with straw bales and Western themed decorations all round. Volunteers will build & decorate jails, stores, stocks, bars and signs which set the scene perfectly. Wild West Fancy dress is the order of the day and entry was by voluntary donation.
Upbeat live music will be performed all day and into the night with Country, Americana, Folk & Blues being the main themes (line up to follow). The main stage is a huge decorated trailer jack-knifed across the street (once again this has kindly been provided by Paul Davies Freight) and will see acts from Jersey & the UK. New for 2017, Chordz Music School will be running the 2nd stage with some of their best students performing to the biggest audience yet. Once again Dunnells have kindly offered to operate a bar with all profits going to the supported charities.
Other activities include: Line Dancing, Western themed games, face-painting, caricatures, prizes for best fancy dress (children & adult categories), food stalls, outdoor bar, Jersey cider, homemade cakes, toffee apples, candy floss, crepes and much, much more. The children and family area will be expanded with even more activities and games that proved so popular in 2015.
Once again in 2015 the 50/50 raffle proved very popular (a raffle where proceeds collected are paid out half to the winner – half to Charity). The winner of the 2015 raffle took home a top prize of £4375.00. Organisers hope that the prize will be even bigger this year. The event is one of the most family friendly, community focused events on the island’s calendar. In order to keep the event open to the public, the production costs must be met by sponsors & generous benefactors.
