Whisky Jack had taken the stage, the sun was setting, and families were grooving to the beat in Memorial Peace Park in downtown Maple Ridge.

Breastfest 2012 delivered a new kind of entertainment. While rock ‘n’ roll of varied styles was first and foremost, this year saw the addition of kids’ activities and more for families to enjoy.

Two-and-a-half year-old Miles Tatham didn’t want to leave, even though it was way past his bedtime. He danced and smiled to the sounds of Whisky Jack.

“He just doesn’t want to leave,” said Tatham’s grandfather.

“It went really well,” said Chad Williams, president of United Circle of Arts Society – hosts of the event. “I really honestly think it was the best year ever.”

Volunteers were abundant, many staying until the end of the show.

“It’s been really steady all day,” noted volunteer Rebecca Fowler. “The donations have been steady all the way through. It’s way better than last year.”

Williams agreed, noting that the show ran smoothly – for the most part – due primarily to the excess of volunteers on hand.

“Sometimes we had too many volunteers,” he said. “That has never happened before.”

With excitement running high, Williams and others counted the donations raised the night of the event and are pleased with the $1,000 raised. The funds will go directly to Ridge Meadows Hospital and are specifically earmarked for equipment for the diagnosis of and coping with cancer.

“It’s important that people know where the money is going,” commented first-aid volunteer Nelie Meedin.

Meedin also noted that having the funds stay local was important to many of the people she spoke to.

With the amplifiers barely unplugged on the 2012 event, Williams is already thinking ahead to next year.

“Every year we expand more and more. It’s [the planning] really an all year thing,” he said. “I might start [planning] in Sept., but I think it will be this month.”

With his sights set on more bands and a bigger presence in the community, watch for the sixth year of Breastfest in 2013 to be even better.