Fort Simpson (July 12/04) - The fourth annual Open Sky Festival in Fort Simpson was a roaring success, said Tracy Kovalench, one of the festival's co-ordinator.

"It was the best one yet," she said of the festival that ran from June 28 to July 4.

Fort Simpson's Cindy Edda models a black jacket and a sharp hat at the Whispering Willows fashion show, which was held on Saturday evening as part of Open Sky festivities. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

Kovalench credited the festival's success to the more than 50 volunteers and the enthusiasm of the community.

"Sponsorship is important, but even more important are the volunteers," she said. "Without volunteers, even with all the money in the world we couldn't run the festival."

Kovalench co-ordinated the festival along with Michael Blyth and Tonya Makletzoff. The Tsetso family became very involved with the festival, with Barb co-ordinating traditional crafts, John running errands, Julia acting as the volunteer co-ordinator and Joey working on the fashion show.

Chuck Blyth was the venues co-ordinator, Lindsay Waugh handled the music and Sophie Borcoman co-ordinated the kids' activities.

"Chuck was key to making the visual artists look great," said Kovalench.

"And the week before the festival we only had one third of the volunteer positions filled. Julia Tsetso came in and then we had 50 volunteers."

Having enough co-ordinators and volunteers made the festival run smoothly, she said.

The Canada Council for the Arts and the Village of Fort Simpson gave funding to allow Eleanor Millard, a writer from Whitehorse, Suzanne Evaloarjuk, a jewelry maker from Iqaluit, and Margaret Nazon, a quilter from Inuvik, to travel to the festival and give workshops.

Lorayne Moses enroled in a jewelry-making workshop and came away with a shiny silver feather hanging around her neck.

She said the metal cutting, detailing, filing and polishing process -- under the tutelage of Evaloarjuk -- took four hours. "It was really wonderful," Moses said.

Kovalench said Evaloarjuk took a dragonfly back to Iqaluit with her, which she was planning to use to inspire some dragonfly jewelry.

Donna Courtoreille took part in a quilting workshop.

"It's a learning experience. I'm glad to be here," she said as she formed a pattern from fabrics of different colours and designs.

Karen Wright Fraser of Whispering Willows in Yellowknife put on a fashion show July 3, with models from Fort Simpson.

"There were three spots on the floor where the models would stop, and at each stop, everyone would clap," said Kovalench.

Fiddler Linda Duford from Hay River performed with Dana Cross and Bobbie Bouvier on the musical stage that same day. Singer-songwriter Leela Gilday also performed.

"She was amazing," said Kovalench. "She always is."

Sculptor John Sabourin, who was born and raised in Fort Simpson but now resides in Yellowknife, said he returned for the Open Sky Festival because he enjoys meeting other artists.

"There seems to be more here this year than any other year," Sabourin said.

-- with files from Derek Neary