Red carpet rolled out for two Sunday ‘Cows Come Home’ screenings

Small-town spirit filled the Meridian Centre for the Arts as residents turned out for two red carpet screenings of ‘Cows Come Home,’ the locally made TV comedy filmed across Greater Fort Erie.

The community-backed series drew locals to the theatre, located inside Greater Fort Erie Secondary School, where creators Lindsey Middleton and Katie Uhlmann screened all six episodes and shared stories from filming at 1:30 and 5 p.m. on Sunday.

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales supported I CAN-T.E.R., the Fort Erie therapeutic riding charity that supported the show’s production and served as a filming location.

“We’re just so excited to have everyone here today to celebrate the community,” said Middleton, co-creator and star of the show, who played the character Tabby Acres. “It’s been a labour of love and we’re so excited to share it with everyone.”

Many audience members had lent their homes, farms or meals to the cast and crew during last year’s shoot. Karen van der Zalm, executive director of I CAN-T.E.R. even gave up her own bedroom for crew members to sleep in while shooting.

“They say it takes a village to make a movie, and that is true,” said Middleton. “We’re just very grateful to the village that helped make this happen.”

Mayor Wayne Redekop joined the early afternoon crowd to celebrate Fort Erie’s growing presence in Canadian film and television.

The show, now streaming on Bell Fibe TV1, follows two friends who dive into competitive cow-showing.

“This community really rallied behind Cows Come Home, and we literally couldn’t have done it without them,” said Uhlmann, co-creator and director, in an interview with Fort Erie Radio before the latter of the two Sunday screenings.

The series’ soundtrack features all-Canadian, Juno-nominated artists. Uhlmann described the premiere as a way to give back to the people who supported the project from the start.

“It’s such a wonderful community and I feel lucky that I got to work here and get to know so many people,” said Uhlmann.

Middleton and Uhlmann said they hope more Canadians will discover Fort Erie’s charm.

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