Red Deer’s annual summer fair is shaking up its Friday music lineup with a double dose of homegrown talent when country artist Dean Ray takes the stage at the Beer Gardens on July 17 at 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm. The Central Alberta musician returns to Westerner Park after wowing crowds at last year’s fair, giving fans two chances to catch his energetic show during the five-day Westerner Days Fair, running from July 15 to 19.
Ray, born in Saskatchewan and raised in Lethbridge before settling in Three Hills, has built a loyal following across the province with a sound that blends country, rock, and blues. His 2014 album Live it Loud was recorded in Nashville at Primecut Studios with producer Daniel Dennis, a milestone that reflects the polish he brings to his live sets. Known for pulling audiences into the action, Ray often hands out tambourines and conga drums or invites singalongs, turning a casual afternoon beer into a participatory jam.
The Beer Gardens venue itself is a draw: a shady, grassy stretch beside the racetrack that stays open from noon until 11:00 pm each day of the fair. Along with cold drinks and a laid-back vibe, the space hosts an Emerging Artists stage that gives rising Central Alberta musicians a platform, making it a hub for local sound throughout the week.
Ray’s Friday slots are part of a packed schedule that also features the Westerner Days Parade kicking things off at 9:30 am on July 15, alongside midway rides, the North American Pony Chuckwagon Championships, and nightly fireworks at 11:00 pm. With roots stretching back to 1892, Westerner Days remains one of the oldest agricultural fairs in the province and continues to anchor summer in Red Deer.
