By Stephanie Froese

Awesome Ness

Jul 18, 2011 | 6:45 AM

See more photos: Ness Creek Music Festival
Ness Creek – the people

Aside from some rain as campers arrived, the 21st annual Ness Creek Music Festival had some great co-operation from the weather.

The four days of camping about an hour and half drive northwest of Prince Albert saw nearly 3,500 people gather to take in the music and unique culture.

Andrew Larson ran logistics for the festival. He said the rain at the start didn't dampen anyone’s spirits and the whole event turned out great.

“Considering that Thursday was the day that everybody comes and it kind of mucked it up a bit, but its Ness Creek. Go bare footed,” Larson said.

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The festival draws people from all over the province and even has some international patrons.

Over the years the festival has established traditions like how people choose where pitch their tents.

One camper said it is those traditions that create a tight knit community out of complete strangers.

Ness Creek functions with the work of many volunteers. One girl who had volunteered for a couple years said she comes back each time because the feel of the event is very uplifting.

“Everybody is so welcoming and fun and you can be yourself and be different and it’s great,” she said.

The entire event revolves around the main stage where more than 25 singers and musicians got the crowd dancing and humming along.

Some of the well-remembered acts included Library Voices form Regina, Tornado Rider from California and Royal Canoe from Winnipeg.

Surrounding the stage area were various food and merchandise vendors where campers could get the “Ness-entials”.

Deborah Aitken, entertainment co-ordinator, said beside the music, there were a lot of great daytime venues this year including a sharing circle, community kitchen, drum and dance circle and a children’s parade.

sfroese@panow.com