Daron Letts
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 15/05) - The stages are built, the posters are posted, the mailouts are mailed and the performers will arrive soon.

The 17th annual South Slave Friendship Festival will fill Fort Smith with music from Aug. 18 to 21.

Festival co-ordinator Vanessa Baron is overseeing the final preparations for the biggest event of the summer.

"This year has definitely been easier than last year, but that doesn't mean the job is stress-free," she said.

"We have a lot of support from local businesses and individuals from Fort Smith who stepped forward to help out. We're getting a lot of assistance from the Salt River First Nation. They're donating a work crew and helping by hauling supplies and decorating the Super Shaker."

This year's Saturday night Super Shaker, the headline event of the weekend, boasts an indoor patio party theme.

It's a long night of music, featuring the biggest acts from the festival.

Other big music events will unfold at the Aurora College coffee house, JJ's Rock 'n Roll Lounge, the Pinecrest, the Royal Canadian Legion and at the Northern Life Museum barbecue. Bands will rock the stage in Conibear Park all weekend.

A flat-bed truck will serve as a stage for the Sk8 jam. Free youth paint ball will offer sober entertainment during the licensed events.

A dozen Fort Smith bands will perform at the festival, with at least 20 other acts travelling in from around the territory and from Saskatchewan and Alberta.

The Northern Lights special care home will host indoor entertainment for residents and their friends and families. A Sunday morning church service in Conibear Park, followed by children's performers, will provide more options for family entertainment.

Free camping is available for the weekend in the tent city around the arena.