SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Attendance records were broken for Folk on the Rocks this year, as more than 5,000 people - 1,500 more than last year - piled into the two-day festival to soak up some music and sun last weekend.

Festival goers pack the grounds at the Folk on the Rocks main stage on Saturday. All other stages hosted consistent crowds. - Laura Power/NNSL photo

"It was extraordinary," said organizer Lynn Feasey. "It was a record-breaking weekend."

Not only did ticket sales outstrip all expectations, but so to did alcohol sales. Despite purchasing 20 per cent more beer and coolers than last year, the beer garden was dry by late afternoon on Sunday.

The majority of festival-goers were well behaved, said Feasey, with only a few troublemakers in the bunch.

"I think overall they were really great. I don't think we had any major issues, but there's always the odd clown at these sort of things," said Feasey.

RCMP Const. Kathy Law agreed, saying it was a pretty quiet weekend from the police's perspective.

"So far there is one liquor-related offence," said Law. "That was just someone trying to get into the beer gardens who doesn't have a ticket."

There were three investigations for impaired driving and two people have charges pending.

A motorcycle accident near the festival entrance Saturday led to a trip to the hospital for the driver, who suffered unspecific, "moderate injuries," said Law, but she said the RCMP don't plan to lay charges in the incident.

Festival goers Kyla Story and Eric Power hung out next to the beer garden stage fence for much of the afternoon on the first day, catching passionate performances by pumped up bands such as Giant Con and Wake Up Hazel.

"The weekend is awesome," Power said. "Good music. Good weather. It's perfect."

Artists who played the event agreed this year's festival set the bar high for next time. Feasey said she has been inundated with positive feedback from performers and attendees alike.

"I woke up this morning to a ton of e-mails from artists and members of the public saying what an amazing festival it was and how they really loved coming up here."

James Hall, bass player for Sam Roberts Band, said "all of us were expecting to have a good time here, but we were pleasantly surprised to have an even better time than expected."

Hip-hop performer Aaron "Godson" Hernandez said "I think this is my sixth Folk on the Rocks, and by far this has been the best crowd. Also, I've had the most fun performing in it," he said.

Feasey added the approximately 360 volunteers did a fantastic job, with many performers mentioning the quality of the hospitality.

"It's been really nice to hear. The volunteers worked really hard to take care of them," she said.

The number of volunteers was up from last year, mainly because there was so much work done before the weekend.

Volunteers helped add extensions to the main stage and built two new outhouses and 100 picnic tables.

About eight to nine people began the site cleanup on Monday, with the task not expected to be completed until some time today.

Feasey said the amount of lost property was not high - most of it was towels people left behind.

She said if found items were not soiled beyond repair, they would be kept at the Folk on the Rocks office in Centre Square Mall for a short time so attendees can claim them.