Wood Buffalo Frolics takes place in Fort Smith from March 5-8, 2026, including the return of the Joel Tetso Memorial Hockey Tournament, dog sledding, games, a market, a talent show and cribbage.
In a Friday news release, organizers called the Frolics a “celebration of northern identity, resilience, culture and intergenerational fun.”
Promising more than $20,000 in cash prizes throughout the weekend, the organizing team said they were building on “renewed momentum and growing sponsorship interest.”
“The Frolics exists because community members stepped up,” organizer Melissa Johns was quoted as saying.
“Without volunteers and local support, this weekend wouldn’t happen. Our goal is to create programming for youth, adults, and Elders that keeps our northern traditions alive while bringing people together.”
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Meanwhile, dates of March 11-14 have already been set for 2027.
The below schedule for the 2026 event is correct at the time of writing. Check The Frolics’ Facebook page for late alterations.
Thursday, March 5
The festival kicks off at the Salt River First Nation Business and Conference Centre with registration at 5pm, followed by an opening prayer by Thebacha Drummers and opening remarks from Mayor Dana Fergusson at 5:30pm.
A crowning of the Frolics princess, prince and royal family takes place at 5:35pm before the youth talent show, with categories including jigging and dance, singing, comedy and impressions, musical performance, spoken word, magic and juggling. Age groups range from six to 18 years old.
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The evening wraps up with a youth dance featuring a DJ from 8-10pm, hosted by the Town of Fort Smith.
Friday, March 6
A kids’ carnival and sugar shack runs from 1-3pm at the Fort Smith Community and Recreation Centre, with games including cornhole, ladder ball, bucket toss, connect four and bowling.
Youth northern games follow from 1-5pm at the same venue, featuring snowshoe races, sack races, three-legged races, nail pounding, moose calling and a “how many kids can fit in a rez car” event, with more than $2,000 in prizes.
At the Fort Smith Centennial Arena, the Joel Tetso Memorial Hockey Tournament begins at 5pm with men’s and old timers’ divisions. You can see the schedule here. (The tournament remembers a resident who was among those who lost their lives in the 2024 plane crash.)
A family fashion show hosted by Isabella Bourque runs from 6-9pm at the Salt River First Nation Business and Conference Centre, showcasing traditional outerwear including parkas, fur hats, mukluks and kamik alongside cultural apparel like ribbon skirts and hide dresses, plus accessories and artisan craftwork.
Thebacha Drummers close the evening with a drum dance from 9-11pm.
Saturday, March 7
The Joel Tetso Memorial Hockey Tournament continues at the Fort Smith Centennial Arena from 9am. The Thebacha Sled Dog Association holds 10-dog and six-dog races from 10am, with races starting on Highway 5 by the ECC office.
A doubles cribbage tournament runs from 11am-5pm at the Fort Smith Community and Recreation Centre, hosted by Salt River First Nation, with a $20 entry fee per player and more than $2,000 in prizes.
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A market takes place from 10am-2pm at the Salt River Business and Conference Centre, featuring art, baking, beading, jewellery and sewing.
Adult northern games run from 11am-5pm at the Fort Smith Centennial Arena, with events including nail pounding, trap setting, moose calling, three-legged races, pole push, axe throwing and log sawing. More than $5,000 in prizes is up for grabs.
Also at the arena, pick up soup and chili from the Fort Smith Skating Club between 11:30am and 3pm. “Whether you’re coming off the ice, cheering from the stands, or just looking for a hot homemade lunch, this is the perfect way to fuel up and support our local skating club,” the festival stated.
The day ends with an adult talent show and dance at 7pm at the Salt River First Nation Business and Conference Centre, featuring North Country Rock. Cash prizes of $300, $200 and $100 are available for the top three performers.
Sunday, March 8
The Joel Tetso Memorial Hockey Tournament and sled dog races continue from 9am and 10am respectively.
The cribbage tournament continues from 11am-5pm at the recreation centre and adult northern games resume from 11am-4pm at the arena, this time featuring snowshoe races, tent setting, wood splitting, tea boiling and bannock making.
The festival wraps up at the Fort Smith Community and Recreation Centre with a $7,000 bingo. Doors open at 4pm ahead of a 5pm start.
