18th annual Open Sky Festival celebrates traditional arts, culture in Fort Simpson

Fort Simpson, N.W.T. didn't let the threat of rain hamper festivities at the Open Sky Festival this weekend.

The 18th annual event at the confluence of the Liard and Mackenzie rivers featured a host of musical acts, workshops and vendorsinside the local arena.

Roxanna Thompson, executive director of the Open Sky Creative Society, said the festival isabout celebrating traditional and contemporary arts and culture.

"I think my favourite part is just seeing people enjoying all the different art forms, especially some of the workshops," she said.

"It's always great to see the smiles on their faces and also, in some cases, the understanding of how much work goes into creating these traditional art forms."

The festival opened Thursday night with Thunder in Our Voices, an art exhibit that sets photos and speeches from the Berger Inquiry, along withart, tolive music.

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"That was a wonderful night," Thompson said.

That was followed bySaturday's events, a "glorious day" filled with live music, workshops, and a barbecue.

As of noon Saturday, Thompson said there were around 100 people in attendance with numbers continuing to grow.

She noted this year's turnout was particularly good as there is also a hand games tournament being heldin Fort Simpson.

The festival included performances by Kiwi North's frontman Lindsay Waugh, fiddle group Double Treble and musician Mary Caroline.

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Attendees were also able totry their hand atmoose hair tufting with Lucy Simon, make leather cellphone satchelswith Darcy Moses andbirch bark ornaments with Phoebe Punch.

"It's just a really good feeling to see the festival come together because it's such a great time for everyone," Thompson said, noting it wouldn't be possible without the work of volunteers.