By Lawrence Powell
The Spectator
NovaNewsNow.com
Katrina Gillis amazed a small crowd at the Middleton Farm Market Friday. Her pure, full, pitch-perfect voice was good enough to win the Middleton Market Idol Contest and earn her the first-place prize of $100. In fact some in the audience said she should be on Canadian Idol -- and would probably win it if she was.
Sunwen Metler, accompanying herself on guitar, sang several original songs to earn second spot and the contest's $75 prize, while Tiffany Fong played flute for third place and $50. Taylor Clayton, the youngest competitor won a bouquet of flowers and a cash prize for her efforts on Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
Gillis took the market by surprise with her rendition of Gordon Lightfoot's Steel Rail Blues, but to those who know the 16-year-old Bridgetown Regional High School singer from West Dalhousie, the level of performance was to be expected. She's been performing at benefit concerts and charity events for some time and people say Gillis is the main attraction.
Gillis also plays guitar but has been accompanied for many years by Margaretsville's Rob Jamieson on guitar and backing vocals.
John Atwood, who regularly performs at the market, played before the Idol contest and between Idol acts. The contest used his sound equipment.
Later Gillis and Metler returned to the stage for an encore performance each. After the contest was over, market organizers asked Gillis to perform for the afternoon at a future market this summer. Gillis agreed.
Next Friday, July 27, the Middleton Farm Market has a fun games day planned which will include the old-fashioned egg races, sack races, and a fish pond with prizes for all anglers. On August 3, the market brings back the Bounce Kingdom which has proved very popular in the past.
Besides the fun and games, the market's vendors are offering up berries, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, arts and crafts, and lots of other local products. The market runs from 2 to 6 p.m. each Friday across from town hall on Commercial Street.
