A fiddling camp, car parade and live music are some of the star attractions as Fort Smith’s Fireweed Festival gets going.
Mayor Dana Fergusson said she was also excited by all the people “coming here to show and sell their crafts and wares” as vendors at this year’s festival.
“And, of course, the music. Because who doesn’t love live music? And I love that they partnered with that vintage wheels guy, Mike Hall for a car show,” she added.
Hall, from the TV show Rust Valley Restorers, joined a parade of classic cars ahead of the opening-night concert.
“There are a lot of cars from out of town that have come in,” said resident Beverly Chepelsky. “The local people who have vintage cars have tuned up their vehicles and cleaned them up.”
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Kids from a Fort Smith summer camp sold cookies and lemonade to raise money for a pizza party, while others took part in a camp held by the Kole Crook Fiddle Association to coincide with the festival.
“We had so much fun last year,” said instructor Linda Duford. “As soon as it ended, we all decided we wanted to do it again this year.”
The students range from four to 13 years old. Some have had the chance to play during the school year, while others are new to fiddling.
“We do have at least two brand spanking new ones, all the way up to some seasoned veterans that have been playing for five or six years,” Duford said.
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“We want to really wow the crowd this year. Last year was great but this year, we want to be spectacular.”
Live music took place on two different stages at the Pelican Rapids Inn – one in the parking lot, dubbed the Sky Stage, and the other inside the bar at Dirty O’Fergies.
Musicians from across the NWT have been booked to perform throughout the festival’s four days, including veteran artist Tom Hudson, who is celebrating the announcement of a new album. Duford, meanwhile, joined Leonard Desjarlais in a performance on Friday night.
“She’s an NWT treasure,” audience member and artist Sue Glowach said of Duford.
At the Sky Stage, among those dancing in the crowd was Joanne Kromberg, who is recovering after knee replacement surgery. “I’m dancing anyway,” Kromberg said.
Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation musician Jonathan Antoine said he was eager not only to perform at the festival, but also to learn from others.
“You get to learn off the musicians, how their stage presence is, how they perform songs,” Antoine said.
“Fort Smith really shows up when it comes to pulling off large events,” Mayor Fergusson concluded.
