Katrina Owens
Lakeside Leader
The 2016 annual North Country Fair (NCF) Family Solstice celebration happened last week in Driftpile from June 17th to 19th. Despite the rainy weather leading up to the event, the sun was shining throughout. Thankfully Mother Nature calmed down because, for those who don’t know, the NCF is an outside ordeal. Over the three days, attendees had the opportunity to kick back and listen to a wide variety of music concerts, shows, and other performances. Wee-ones had a lot to choose from as well, including magic shows, clowns, tie-dye stations, and hula-hoop lessons, just to name a few.
The Leader stopped by, and was flabbergasted at the number of people who were there. We’re estimating at least 6,000, and from talking to other fair-goers, that amount seems correct. Putting music aside, one of the main attractions seemed to be the array of food trucks which lined the grounds. One could try everything from traditional Tai cuisine to old style barbeque and then some. Several vendors set up shop as well, and were selling natural bath products, blown glass, handmade jewelry, and clothing are just some of the products that were available.
One aspect of the fair that the Leader also noticed was the several organizations using it as an opportunity to connect with people. The In the Woods Animal Rescue group was educating attendees on the purposed Canadian animal rights bill. Edmonton and Slave Lake Falun Gong practitioners were giving out free meditations lessons, and informing people about the hardships people practicing Falun Gong face in China.
And on a happier note, fair-folks had the chance to get massages, physic and chakra readings.
