Fort Simpson (Jun 23/06) - With just over a week left before the first day of the 6th annual Open Sky Festival, this year's event looks like it will be the biggest yet.

With the Open Sky Festival just over a week away, Simone Hanos, the festival co-ordinator, front, is hard at work finishing off details while Tiffany Pedersen, assistant coordinator, gathers volunteer support. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Every year the festival grows more, Simone Hanos, festival coordinator said.

Hanos has been working long hours to make sure everything comes together smoothly.

There is more than usual to plan because the festival is on for one extra day from June 30-July 3.

This year's theme of Nah a Dehe ties into the exhibition that will run from June 28-July 5.

Artwork, videos and photography created by a group of artists who travelled through Nahanni National Park Reserve will be displayed at the Visitors' Information Centre.

But the big draws are the performers and the workshops, Hanos said.

At the dance on July 1, people will be able to enjoy the musical stylings of the Jared Sowan Project and Canadian Idol performer, Godson.

Godson has been at the festival before and was excited to come back, Hanos said, but first he had to make sure his schedule was free from Canadian Idol duties.

Godson is meant to appeal to the younger crowd while Sowan is for all ages. There will also be old time fiddle music provided by Linda Duford.

"It might be a good bash," Hanos said with a smile.

Workshops this year are a mix of new ideas and old favourites run by returning facilitators.

One of the new workshops this year is aimed at artists. The session will teach artists marketing tools to promote themselves and their work and also find funding sources, Hanos said.

There will also be a new workshop on songwriting led by Jared Sowan to replace the normal creative writing session.

Returning favourites include soapstone carving, video and camera editing, moosehair tufting and birch bark basketry.

So far, registration for the workshops has been slow, but Hanos is hopeful more people will show interest.

There are limited spaces in some of the more popular sessions so people should sign up in advance, she said.

As always, the festival wouldn't be running without volunteers and sponsors, Hanos said.

This year, prizes for volunteers include a helicopter ride and plane trip to Yellowknife.