Mulmur remembers Rock Hill at Detour rally

April 22, 2016 · 0 Comments

A crowd gathered under fabulous blue skies at the Dufferin County Museum on Saturday to take in the melodies of Devon Cuddy and other local musicians in support of Mulmur Township’s bid as an Air Miles Detour finalist.

Mulmur Township has been selected as one of only five small communities across Canada to be designated as a finalist based on Rock Hill Park’s historical significance to Canadian music.

The pep rally celebrated Mulmur’s nomination and drummed up support for the online vote.

Mayor Paul Mills spoke to the crowd at noon and Deputy Mayor Heather Hayes was also on site to rally the troops. As well as the soulful sounds of Devin Cuddy at the keyboard singing his beautiful song “Home,” the audience enjoyed the deep country tones of Gary Heaslip, local musicians Vanessa Lio and Ray Melana, and Ted Forbes.

Jeremy Taggart, formerly the drummer for Our Lady Peace, did a great job emceeing the event and entertaining the audience along with magician Steve Baker.

Mulmur Township was identified as a finalist in the nation-wide competition primarily for the rock and country festivals that were held at Rock Hill Park.

“Concerts started at Rock Hill Park during the 1950s when country music acts came to entertain the camping crowds,” says Nanci Malek, Promotions Coordinator for the Museum. “Artists like Hank Snow ventured north to perform in this known-only-to-the-locals campground.

“During the 60s, we started seeing more folk and rock style acts, and by the 1970s big time artists like Willie Nelson, Barbara Mandrell, Lighthouse, the Guess Who, Wolfman Jack, Crowbar, Chilliwack, Edward Bear and many more Canadian and US bands, headlined the Rock Hill festivals.”

“There were two stages,” continues Ms. Malek, “one that was a raised area in the farm field, and the lower stage was a smaller one put in the pond. Camping was spread everywhere throughout the property and there was a laundry and restroom building, a bar/restaurant, and the main administration building. Other than the big name acts, one only had to pay for camping privileges – the music was free.”

Dillon Crosby, Mulmur’s Tour Manager for Air Miles, says the 1969 “Freak Out Festival, was Canada’s answer to Woodstock.”

Rock Hill Park and camp grounds, located on County Road 17 between Masonville and Mansfieldowned, was owned and operated by Elwood Wilson, father of Mavis Wilson former Liberal MP for Dufferin County, starting in the late 1950s.

Locals who remembered the glory days of the park swapped memories and stories Saturday as the crowd listened to musical performers and enjoyed a free barbeque.

Former Mayor of Melancthon and Warden of Dufferin County Bill Hill was out supporting Mulmur with his family.

Bill had more than a little fun “back in the day” at Rock Hill Park, finding a way to satisfy his youthful curiosity and get close to the star performers while playing the role of ‘security guard’ – even finding his way onto Willie Nelson’s bus with the band.

Real-estate dealer Ginny MacEachern recalled how she and Mavis Wilson picked up singer Freddy Fender at Pearson, in her station wagon, and the thrill of meeting the star. She described the island in the middle of the pond, where performers played by the light of the star.

“It was a fabulous setting,” she said. “ Elwood’s ideas were ahead of his time.”

Elizabeth Weatherall remembers that well before the big performers, the park held talent shows in a building on top of the hill on Sundays.

Local performers such as Gord Henry, Joe Firth and The Promised Land, Grant Middaugh, and her brother Glenn Gall were some of many who competed for prizes. Karren Wallace has many fond memories of her father, Murray Wallace, playing with the Pine Ridge Ranch Boys there, and area musician Alex Alcorn says he did not see Willie Nelson, but remembers hearing him from the Honeywood arena..

It was the incredible acoustics of nature and the rambunctious nature of teenagers that became a problem for neighbours, and eventually the music stopped at Rock Hill Park in the 1980s, but not until Willie Nelson drew 80,000 listeners to the park.

“While celebrating the history of music in Canada, the Detour program is about bringing a global music artist to a small town that wouldn’t normally be on a large concert tour,” says Crosby.

If Mulmur wins, they will be awarded a special VIP concert with Grammy winner Meghan Trainor.

Beginning on April 12, Air Miles collectors can visit airmiles.ca/detour and register for the town they want to win. After registering, Crosby says “every mile received during the month of May, will become an additional vote for the town.”

Primary partner locations in the area include: Shell Stations, Foodland, LCBO, Best Western, Metro, and Rexall Pharmacy.

“The Township is excited to be chosen for this opportunity,” says Deputy Mayor Hayes. “Mulmur’s history includes music in many forms from concerts to local jams in community halls. Our Township is now home to many musicians who have found a quiet home in the magnificent hills of Mulmur.”

Vote for Mulmur at airmiles.ca/detour.

By Marni Walsh