Canadian folk-singer Ian Tyson has cancelled his scheduled appearance at the Badlands Amphitheatre this week due to medical issues.

The 84-year-old Victoria native was admitted to hospital last week and a press release issued on August 17 says Tyson was “having some heart problems and the doctors are looking after me.”

The singer, best known for his songs ‘Four Strong Winds’ and ‘Someday Soon,’ was billed to play in Drumheller at the amphitheater on August 25 with country singer Corb Lund, who issued a statement to ticket holders on August 17.

“I’m disappointed that Ian and I won’t be able to share the stage at such an amazing venue so close to where we both call home. However, I will be honouring the intended spirit of the evening by continuing on with the show solo, and performing many of the songs (Ian’s and my own) that we had planned to sing together,” Lund wrote.

The singer said Tyson will still receive his share of the proceeds to use during his recuperation.

Now in its sixth year, Alberta Open Farm Days continues to allow Albertans and visitors to experience and understand where their food comes from. This weekend there are a few local farms opening up their doors to the public as a means of shedding light on what they do.

Morrin Corner Bison, Cloverleaf Colony Farming, and Flaghill Ranch are all local farms who are welcoming guests on August 18 and 19 and planning a number of events at their operations. They offer culinary events and will showcase the province’s fast-growing tourism sector and everything farm life has to offer.

Flaghill Ranch co-owner Justine Berry says Farm Days is an exciting opportunity to show Alberta what they’re doing. “It’s amazing to open up our farm and business for everyone to see,” she says.

Flaghill Ranch, located at 330162 Twp Rd 33-2, is a family farm, owned and operated since 1983, specializing in producing quality grass-fed Black Angus beef. Berry says strictly grass-fed beef has been a ‘hot topic’ in the cattle industry as studies have shown it produces more nutritious beef while also allowing cows to free-roam and graze in fields, increasing their quality of life. During Farm Days they will be providing a roast beef lunch, a meet and greet with the cows behind the operation, and give visitors an opportunity to learn about farm solar energy and environmental stewardship.

Morrin Corner Bison, at 200056 Highway 9, will offer hourly tours of their bison herds and handling facility. Tasting samples and bison burgers for lunch will be offered, with bison jerky and pepperoni for sale. They also are organizing an authentic chuckwagon cooking demonstration where someone will cook bison from a real chuckwagon.

For more information on all the participating farms, their locations and directions, and the events planned for each farm, visit www.albertafarmdays.ca