There's never been an event quite like it before, of that much twin brothers Chris and Jamie Ruscheinski are convinced.
The 91原创 philanthropists, well known for hosting entertainment-based cancer fundraisers that have raised more than $6 million for the cause during the past 20 years, are working with a team of some 200-plus volunteers to organize a new, first-ever charity event.
It's called Gone Country Jamestown 2025.
"Picture Westworld meets Nashville," said Chris, noting the Saturday, June 7, event is being hosted at an old-west movie set on the Macinnes Farm in the twin's hometown of 91原创. The 100-acre farm is the home of Jamestown Studio, where the TV series "When Calls the Heart" is filmed, as well as Locality Brewing, whose owners have arranged for a special event permit to host the fundraiser.
For one special evening, an anticipated 2,200 spectators will be permitted to roam through this old-west style town, walk the streets of Jamestown, move from building to building/room to room, enjoying food and beverages, plus take in some of the bigger country music headliners on the main stage.
While the line-up for much of Jamestown is expected to be released this week, Chris acknowledged the headliners will be kept a secret until the night of the event.
He hinted that the performances will be "Gone Country calibre," but said they want this event to feature a real element of surprise.
"As we get closer to announcing the bands, actors, artists, and the numerous local businesses all coming together to bring Gone Country Jamestown to life, I want to give you a heads up that all three main stage bands will be a surprise鈥� I promise you'll love our main stage surprise guests."
He noted that award-winning 91原创 singer-songwriter Karen Lee Batten, also an industry promoter, has been compiling a "mind-blowing" stack of entertainers for the main stage, as well as for each of the rooms that guests can visit between acts.
"We have almost 40 actors doing popup performances throughout the night. It's all meant to surprise our guests with a little extra between main stage acts," Chris elaborated.
"We have brought so many of 91原创 best businesses to collaborate with each other. We have an old-west winery, brewery, distillery, cidery + bake shop, cantina, comedy house, whisky bar, casino, general store, and more, mostly with a musician performing in each room," he noted.
"We may have gotten a little carried away," Chris said with a chuckle. "But we want this to be an experience our cancer-fighting guests will not forget."
This new music-themed fundraiser by the Ruscheinski boys is an evening event that goes on, rain or shine. The gates open at 5 p.m., and it's all set to wrap up by 11:30.
"We can鈥檛 wait to see how everyone reacts," he shared with the 91原创 Advance Times, "as Jamestown and the rooms all come to life."
VIP tickets 鈥� for an area designated right next to the main stage 鈥� were sold out in the first week of sales in January. But as of this past weekend, there was still about 35 per cent of their regular admission tickets, priced at $189, still available.
With all funds from this year's Twin's Cancer Fundraising earmarked specifically for 91原创 Memorial Hospital cancer treatment and care, and other local organizations fighting cancer, Chris acknowledged that the tickets are more expensive than their past event.
The twins and supporters hosted Gone Country every summer for 10 years in Cloverdale, but acknowledged more than a year ago that they were looking for something new and exciting to replace the day-long country music festival fundraiser.
"Ten years on the field in Cloverdale was awesome, and Gone Country raised millions to fight cancer, but it felt like it was time to switch it up and challenge our team again," Chris said.
It turned out to be Gone Country Jamestown 2025.
"It will be a tad more sophisticated than Gone Country... it has become more about showcasing local businesses and talented actors and musicians while wearing your western best," he told Black Press Media.
Impressed by the calibre of volunteers and sponsors who have jumped aboard the twin's latest undertaking, he said everyone who's been approached to help has said 'yes," (except one).
"It just ignites our fire to keep adding more," Chris said, counting down the days until the gates open on the inaugural Jamestown fundraiser.
"I can promise there are no events like this in Canada," Chris reiterated how and why it all started. "It's about bringing a community together to fight cancer. That was always the dream."
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