1999

DIANA KELLY AND
CLAUDE LELIEVRE

Diana Kelly and Claude Lelievre envisioned a country music festival of unprecedented distinction in western Canada. In 1988, country music's popularity in Canada had not yet achieved the legendary proportions it had in the United States. However, Diana and Claude had closely monitored the evolution of country music, and accurately predicted its meteoric rise among Canadian fans. In 1989, guided by their convictions and enthusiasm - and contrary to the general opinions of music industry associates - the promoters successfully overcame all obstacles to organize the first country music festival to be held in British Columbia, at Hedley. In 1992, with attendance at 40,000 and growing, Diana and Claude confronted a new challenge: to relocate the festival. Dry climate being a prime consideration, they set out to investigate all available options located in the magnificent countryside of British Columbia's interior region. Finally, in 1993 an exhaustive search rewarded them with the perfect location… the beauty of the surrounding clay cliffs, the flowing Cold Water River and the softy rolling landscape which now has become home of the Merritt Mountain Music Festival.  The future plans for the festival look bright and the company is interested in developing a tourist destination project called Active Mountain Park. Poised to become a year round major entertainment center with a golf course, racetrack, amusement park and commercial development.