Chris Clegg and Joe McWilliams
Lakeside Leader
It’s a tradition dating back to the late 1970s and one that brings thousands of people to the region.
The North Country Fair returns to the Driftpile Valley June 19 – 22, with four action-packed days of music and family fun.
Anneke Penner is in charge of promotion for the fair. She describes it as an all-genre festival, that started in 1979.
“Held in celebration of the summer solstice, this festival boasts four stages, rustic camping, four nights of great music, river beaches, a beautiful boreal forest venue, delicious food, craft vendors, interesting workshops and children’s activities, right here in Big Lakes County!”
The fair has become widely known as one of the best in the province, with many fairgoers returning each year.
Public access begins Thursday, June 19, at 8 a.m. The fair kick-off ‘pre-party’ starts that evening at the main stage.
The North Country Fair officially starts on the Friday, June 20, at 5 p.m., on the main stage. The fair’s closing circle is on the Sunday, at 5 p.m., but the party doesn’t stop there, Penner says.
“Everyone is invited to our volunteer appreciation party on Sunday, from 8 p.m. until (midnight),” she says.
Impromptu music jamming is also a big part of the attraction of the fair. Such sessions can break out any time, Penner says, many well past the end of scheduled music performances.
“The solstice sun barely sets, and the music plays on till dawn. Bring a friend, or find one here.”
Acts at this year’s fair include Blue Moon Marquee, the group that played not long ago at Slave Lake’s Legacy Centre and made a very good impression. Others include Panic Pixie, Mariel Buckley and fair favourite Scott Cook, whose band is now called ‘The Outdoorables.’
Tzadeka and the Murder Hornets is another act with an unusual and intriguing moniker. Others include The Great Balanzo, The Dang Package, the Bridge City Sinners, Aledean Kheroufi and Dr. Draw and The Strange Parade, featuring Scott Jackson.
And much more!
“There are some really great bands coming,” says Penner.
Dr. Draw is famous, she says, for playing at Toronto Raptors’ games. Watch out for the band called ‘Antidopng’ as well, she says. You’d never suspect it from their name, but they are a reggae band, from Mexico, no less.
Speaking of acts from outside of Canada, one is from Argentina and another all the way from Italy!
Closer to home, Wandering Cree is from the Lesser Slave area, and Northblood are from Grande Prairie.
Music is of course the big draw, but there is so much else. Workshops of various types through the daytime hours, and lots of activities designed with children in mind.
Artistic Director Laurie Iverson says there are three workshop tents, one called ‘Education,’ one called ‘Movement’ and the third one dubbed ‘Art,’ for the types of things being presented, or taught, or attempted, in them.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate (cash only), in stores or online, at northcountryfair.ca. Soulshine (formerly The Source) is the place to buy them in Slave Lake, Iverson says.
