LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
After a one year hiatus, the Open Sky Creative Society is bringing back its popular summer festival in Fort Simpson, just in time for its 15th anniversary.

Scenes from the 2014 fall festival, which was held in place of the summer event last year. The Open Sky Creative Society is looking for artists and vendors for its next summer festival in Fort Simpson July 11 and 12. The organization is celebrating its 15th year. - photo courtesy of the Open Sky Creative Society

"We're trying to make it festive because it's our anniversary," said Anyes Dimsdale, executive director of the society. "It's a bit of an achievement having lasted this long."

The group did not put on a summer festival last year because it was restructuring and "going through some changes."

Instead the society opted to help host a fall festival, which saw a high level of attendance and was an overall success, according to Dimsdale.

"It was busy the whole time," said Dimsdale. "All of our workshops were full. There were people coming in and out the whole time. There was a really good turnout. We were really happy with it."

Despite the society's previous successes, Dimsdale admitted it's always tough for an arts organization to survive, and sometimes even more so in such a small community.

However, hardworking volunteers and funding from the GWNT have been instrumental in keeping the society going.

"We're always scrambling to find funds to stay afloat," she said. "We're doing our best. We're trying really hard and we've got fantastic volunteers."

Dimsdale said the society is currently looking to book talent for its two-day outdoor festival, which is scheduled to take place from July 11 to 12. Dimsdale said she already has some artists and vendors lined up but is looking for some fresh talent to take part this year.

"We're looking for artists, artisans, people who are interested in doing demonstrations, offering workshops, selling their crafts, food," she listed. "The more the merrier."

The Deh Cho region is rich in talent, from traditional acts to more contemporary ones, she said.

"We try and bring people in from small communities," said Dimsdale. "It's great to showcase them. They get less exposure because they're farther away, so as much as we can we try to bring them in. There are some amazingly talented people in this region."

The festival will include musical performances, stage shows, artist workshops, demonstrations, a number of vendors and activities for children.

The weekend will kick off with a big family fiddle dance followed by an adult community dance in front of a live band.

Anyone interested in applying to take part in the festival should contact the festival's organizers.

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