Just Chuck & Cowapolooza

Lots of local events: Summer Streetfest is Aug 9 - 12.
Cowapolooza is Aug 17 - 18; Just Chuck is Aug. 18

In recent years, the Downtown Woodstock Sidewalk Days has gradually transformed itself into quite a festival . . . the BIA calls it Summer Streetfest, so let's go with it.
The next two weekends are frantic frenzied fun in the middle of Oxford County. Not sure why I would put three words beginning with the same consonant as aliteration here, but with Summer Streetfest, Cowapolooza and Just Chuck events all on tap over the next 10 days, Woodstock is the place to be.
Summer Streetfest
Summer Streetfest (Aug 9 - 13) is simply much more than closing up Dundas Street for a sidewalk sale, it truly has evolved into four days of family fun. Streetfest on Thursday, Friday and Saturday includes great deals by Downtown BIA (Slogan: 'shop, dine, work and play') merchants (I spend my spare time at Record Works sifting through the $1 CD bins), but there is also a mini kids midway (Conklin Shows), street performers (like buskers), games, BMX stunt bikes near the Pedal Power store, outdoor cafes and barbecues, and lots of music (30 different acts scheduled) in museum square and other small stages, including Kiley Joe Masson, Jack London (fabulous John Denver cover artist), Movin Groovin & Verhoeven, Sarah & Jeff Show, Toast & Jam, Tim Tyler, plus Sarah Smith and others (www.downtownwoodstock.ca; 519 537-5721).
In an attempt to create a specific genre theme, and to attract a specific hobbyist, Summer Streetfest now includes Bikes & Blues at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug 11. Essentially it's a fundraising motorcycle poker run for the new Woodstock hospital, followed by a bluesfest of music including Paul James, Chris Murphy, Cheryl Lescom and Tim Tyler. The day includes a motorcycle parade from Southside Park to Downtown around 5:30 p.m.
On Sunday, Aug 12th it's the annual show and shine of cars, trucks and bikes (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.) in Downtown Woodstock. With participation and manpower from the Lions Club of Woodstock (Call me anytime if you want to join our busy and involved service club), the Streetfest Cruise is always a great place to view cars of high octane or vintage vehicles, and listen (free) to a Buddy Holly cover band.
Cowapolooza
The two-day Cowapolooza (www.cowapolooza.com) in Southside Park hits its 11th year, Aug 17 - 18. I'll be in the park both days as I am convener for the Lions Club (Call me anytime if you want to join our busy and involved service club) beer garden in the boathouse pavillion.
Essentially the music family festival is Friday night and all-day Saturday.
On Friday, entertainers include Sarah Smith (6:30 p.m.), and The Carpet Frogs (8 p.m.). The toads (I just didn't want to say frogs again) are known as a backup band (www.thecarpetfrogs.com) for other performers, including Burton Cummings.
The Saturday night headliners are top-notch Canadian rockers of yester-year, the Stampeders (Rich Dodson had some solo success too), who had many radio hits before I was old enough for school, including: Sweet City Woman, Carry Me, Hit The Road Jack, Oh My Lady, Wild Eyes, and even the memorable Monday Morning Choo Choo. The Stampeders show is presented by 103.9 FM (More FM). Before the main show, the opening act is the popular The Beagles at 7 p.m. Yes, The Beagles cover music of the Fab Four.
Saturday's docket also includes outdoor live pro wrestling (3:30 p.m.), cow milking competition, children's midway, crafters area, magicians, face painting, food vendors, skateboard/BMX demonstration show, strongman/stongwoman competition (1 - 4 p.m.), petting zoo, and the annual soapbox derby (Also run by the Lions Club) down the Finkle Street hill beginning at 9 a.m. with time trials. A fundraiser for VON Ingamo Homes will be a rubber ducky race in the park pond, beginning at 3 p.m.
Just Chuck
Chuck Phelps is a friend of mine, who I first knew through curling circles (pun intended), but also know quite well through the Relay For Life in Woodstock (Canadian Cancer Society 12-hour fundraiser). Chuck is a guy that everyone knows, but he is also someone that everyone wants to continue to know. For the past 20 months or so, Chuck has been battling brain cancer. Instead of creating a fundraiser to assist in his journey for treatments, Chuck and his pals run a wild party night at the Oxford Auditorium on Saturday, Aug 18 to raise dollars for other families who need money to live while family members travel for radiation or whatever cancer medications and chemotherapies they require. The last two years, Chuck has spoken during the opening ceremonies of Relay For Life, and has agreed to continue as a spokesperson for the Oxford County unit of the Canadian Cancer Society. Chuck is a hero through his courage, fight and his motivational attitude.
Just Chuck is a wild night of hanging out with friends (http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2012/08/08/just-chuck-takes-a-twist) and a fabulous (another word with that consonant) way to raise lots of funds for an important cause.
Here's a short excerpt from the Sentinel story: Throughout his ordeal Phelps has tackled what he refers to as his "challenge of the lifetime" with incredible courage and of course, his trademark sense of humour. He lives by a personal motto to "do something every day to put a smile on your face."
All for now, have frantic fantastic fun in Woodstock.