Everyone is welcome to participate in the ?Esdilagh Music & Cultural Festival honouring elders which takes place this weekend on the banks of the Fraser River, Friday, Aug. 17 to Sunday, Aug. 19.
Hosted by the Alexandria band, the event is for all ages and includes an incredible weekend of community music, games, talent shows, traditional games and cultural celebrations, say organizers.
The music features the popular band Kordaroy, plus other surprise recording artists.
There will be an open singing talent show and an open fiddle talent show, plus a lahal tournament, ring toss and other games for adults and children with prizes awarded.
A traditional community feast to honour First Nation elders and all elders will be held Saturday evening while listening to the fiddle and open singing talent shows.
There will be Traditional/Contemporary Good Woman and Good Man contests featuring fire making, tea making, bannock making, fish cleaning, and traditional dress.
A Texas Hold’em Tournament will be held with all funds raised going to ?Esdilagh Elder’s Trust and to help pay off a tractor.
There will be food and artist vendors on site, and bonfires nightly (depending on fire bans) with great music.
Workshops will be held on traditional drum making, basket making, story telling, fish cleaning and fish drying methods. There will also be a writers’ workshop.
In the spirit of unity people are invited to participate in traditional round dances to the Dene Drums. People will also have the opportunity to observe ?Esdilagh citizens traditional fishing.
Camping is available on the beautiful natural lands by the Fraser River.
Elders and children enter free. The adult day or weekend pass is $10. Camping is $5 per night.
To get to the cultural site take the Old Soda Creek Road, cross the Fraser River at the Rudy Johnson Bridge and continue north on the West Fraser Road to the site at Alexandria.
More information is available by calling Jolene at 250-747-2255 or e-mailing officeassistant@esdilaghband.com; Chad at 250-316-0466 or e-mailing chadstump3310@gmail.com; or Edwin at 250-267-1251 or e-mailing arcticworld@hotmail.com.