Uko Akpanuko
Daily Herald
The Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Time Music Society has announced that the Music Camp and Festival will start from Aug. 12-16 and 16-18 respectively at the Ness Creek Site, near Big River.
The music camp is taught by the festival performers as well as alums of the festival. This year will feature 19 different classes teaching different genres of music—the biggest so far. There will be classes for all acoustic instruments such as guitar, fiddle, mandarin, banjo among others.
“It is really a proud moment for us having our alums come back to teach the next generation. It really brings home for us that we are fulfilling our mandates by preserving this style of music. It’s a proud Momma moment.” said Tanya Wagner, the Executive Director of the Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Time Music Society.
The festival attendees will live by the creek for the weekend and there will be all kinds of activities for people of all ages. Wagner said the camaraderie is a big part of the festival’s draw.
“We have very quickly become a community because you live, sleep, eat and play with our festival musicians,” she said. “It really does feel like everybody knows each other. There is that small town feel. We see a lot of multi generational families coming up for the festival.
“There is something here for everyone and it allows families to hangout and do something together. It hass allows for unplugging with lots of different things to do.”
There will be performances by renowned artists such as Seth Mulder & Midnight Run, Golden Shoals, Tristen Durocher, Mary Liv and others. Attendees can also participate in workshops, evening indoor dances, guided hikes and more.
New this year, the festival is partnering with Wild Sky Adventure to offer the Wild Sky Forest Kids Camp for children ages 3-12, providing immersive outdoor experiences amidst nature. Utilizing wood tools, fishing nets, and hammocks, the children will get to build fairy houses, go pond dipping, build forts and do some cloud gazing.
The festival, set against the picturesque backdrop of the northern Boreal Forest, offers rough camping facilities, family passes, children’s activities and a playground adjacent to the stage, making it the perfect family vacation destination.
For more information, visit the Society’s website at https://northernlightsbluegrass.com
