Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
The ever popular MoM Festival was a huge success with a fully attended fair ground.
From Aug. 19-21, everyone was able to enjoy an impressive musical line-up that covered a variety of tastes and styles.
The annual festival continues to feature original and independent music and art form all over B.C., Canada and around the world.
The MoM Festival, (formally known as the “Music on the Mountain Festival”) is presented by the Music on the Mountain Society and is located at the Fort St. James fair ground.
Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP, Nathan Cullen looks forward to attending the event every year.
“The space here is amazing and it’s so great to see it being used for something so exciting and something that continues to draw people to the area,” Cullen said.
“And there is so much musical talent out there especially from Northern B.C.”
With a variety of food vendors, visual artists and artisans on hand, the festival offered something for everyone including children and youth who were able to take part in a variety of workshops and activities as well.
For festival organizer, Lionel Conant, this year was especially focused on encouraging youth involvement.
The Freedom of the Arts Empowerment Program offered free workshops at the festival where children and youth were able to personally take advice from the festival performers in singing, song writing and even production.
“This is so exciting for us that we can offer this to local youth,” Conant said.
And as for the music, whether it was punk or jazz, those in attendance seemed more than pleased as they sang and danced along with a wide list of performers.
All in all the festival expanded this year and included four stages.
Some of the bands in the lineup included: punk icons D.O.A., Zonnis, Winona Wilde, Samson’s Delilah and even a local favorite, Sam Holden.
The event seems to draw more and more people with each year according to District Councillor, Dave Birdi.
“It’s a great way to bring the community together and it also encourages others to visit Fort St. James.”
“This seems to be getting bigger and bigger every year, “Birdi said.
