Festival
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Rootsy, artistic and connected to land and culture, the communities of Athabasca, Lac La Biche, MD Bonnyville, Métis Crossing and Vermilion are overflowing with local makers, artists, crafts and...
Meet the makers of north east Alberta, online
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From March 7 - 28, 2023, the #NEAB Online Festival celebrated LIVE music, cooking and crafting demos, behind-the-scenes tours and how-tos from throughout northeast Alberta, featuring the communities of Athabasca, Lac La Biche, Métis Crossing, MD Bonnyville and Vermilion.
From a look at how berry syrup is made to glamping breakfast boards to sweet cocktail recipes, mini art workshops and spring travel tips, we’re feeling the first glow of spring from the #NEAB Online Festival.
It’s time to get ready for spring, with all the fixings, in northeast Alberta. Check out a few of the last week’s showcases for some inspiration, and tune in to the final day of the festival on Tues, Mar 28!
For specific dates and times check out the schedule here and you can watch it all happen LIVE on Facebook and Instagram.
Read on for a taste of what you missed and what to expect next, plus chances to win great prizes!
You can find the highlights from week #1, week #2 and this week here. And RSVP to next week to make sure you catch the big finale day on Tuesday, Mar 28!
Or bookmark this page, to follow along with the schedule below.
More to come!
Connect to the #NEAB Online Festival from the comfort of your own home as we introduce you to the artists, makers and entrepreneurs of northeast Alberta #NEAB—just some of the many locals who make this region such a beauty.
How the #NEAB Online Festival works
This is a virtual festival: think of it like a music festival with a schedule of performers who take the stage through a weekend, expect for the #NEAB Online Festival you don’t have to go anywhere, as the entertainment is right at your fingertips via Facebook and Instagram LIVES.
Just check the schedule below, or click the links or RSVP to get notifications when your fave presenters are going live!
#NEAB Online Festival, March 7 - 28
Check out the schedule and tune in, Tuesdays and Thursdays! See the schedule below for all the LIVE action from northeast Alberta, featuring the communities of Athabasca, Lac La Biche, MD Bonnyville, Métis Crossing and Vermilion.
*All times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST).
Tues, Mar 7 | |
| 09:00 AM | Alberta Parks get a preview live music experience at Alberta's only live music venue on an island! |
| 09:30 AM | Travel-ING-ON app meet the app to find your next travelING experiences |
| 10:00 AM | Lac La Biche Museum A fascinating historical survey of the region, French, Russian, Indigenous, Métis and more. New and rotating exhibits. |
| 11:00 AM | Plamondon Hall / Festival Centre Take a virtual tour and enter for a chance to win tix to the upcoming Comedy Night! |
| 12:30 | Talking Rock Tours Keith Diakiw, geo-educational Indigenous adventurer, presents a rock and stone demo |
| 3:00 PM | Kookum Clara's Custom Cree-ations Kookum Clara shows how she creates vinyl t-shirt designs; plus enter to win a custom keychain! |
Thurs, Mar 9 | |
| 12:00 PM | Soup Time Take a cooking lesson and learn how to whip up delicious soup with Soup Time |
| 12:30 | Grande Rapids Wilderness Adventures Take a tour of GRWA's backcountry cabins, and preview summer package trips |
Tues, Mar 14 | |
| 10:00 AM | Hideaway Adventure Grounds Watch a Trapper's Tent demonstration and learn about day trip adventures at Hideaway |
| 11:00 AM | River Meadows RV Park Make camping an adventure with outdoor activities at River Meadows - but book soon! |
| 1:00 PM | Christy Creek Honey See Rob and Joanne suit up, meet the bees and learn about private tours to book now |
| 2:30 PM | Burnt Rock Adventure Co. Announcing Paddlepalooza! And a new tour offering, LIVE from their historic location in downtown Vermilion |
| 3:00 PM | Kookum Clara's Custom Cree-ations See how a ribbon skirt is made, and enter to win a custom keychain! |
Thurs, Mar 16 | |
| 9:30 AM | Fort McMurray Métis Trading Post Join Lisa to learn smudging etiquette and participate in a live smudge |
| 10:00 AM | KT Creations See how moccasins are made |
| 10:30 AM | Copper Cork Distillery Learn how to make a St. Patty's cocktail |
| 11:00 AM | Vermilion Heritage Museum Take a look back in Vermilion history |
| 12:00 PM | Orchard Fresh Syrups Learn how to make a summer dessert topping with Saskatoon syrup |
| 1:30 PM | Kapâwinihk Wilderness Triathlon Step to the starting line, and check out this wilderness tri course |
Tues, Mar 21 | |
| 09:30 AM | Tawatinaw Valley Retreat Bed & Breakfast Tour the B&B's relaxing setting |
| 11:00 AM | 350 Farms See what goes into making 350 Farms' popular charcuterie-style breakfast board |
| 12:00 PM | Healing A la Source Learn key steps in making stained glass |
| 2:00 PM | Sandi's Métis Designs Join Sandi for a basket weaving demo |
Thurs, Mar 23 | |
| 10:30 AM | Kinosoo Ridge Resort Check out MD Bonnyville's winter (and summer) playground, right on Cold Lake |
| 11:30 AM | Creeative Rose Beading Sierra gives you a sneak peek on new beaded earrings and shows off some of her bestsellers |
| 12:30 PM | Water Spirit Spa and Retreats Learn about soothing, holistic health treatments at the spa |
| 1:30 PM | Lac La Biche Agricultural Society Celebrate 50 years with the the society's first market day coming up Mar 31 |
| 2:30 PM | Prairie Bakeshop & Bistro Join Darren for baking demo |
Tues, Mar 28 | |
| 09:00 AM | TerrBear Lauzon Artworks Creations Get a glimpes into an artist's creative process |
| 09:30 AM | Old School Cheesery See the new storefront and learn about new spring offerings |
| 10:00 AM | Reel Angling Adventures Get ready for summer fishing! |
| 11:00 AM | Métis Crossing LilyRose introduces you to traditional workshops and signature experiences |
| 1:00 PM | Lac La Biche Mission See inside the historic convent and preview their upcoming Easter event |
| 1:30 PM | Vermilion Agricultural Society Join the Vermilion Ag Society to hear about exciting events coming in 2023 |
| 2:00 PM | Rocky Lane Fairways Discover new ways to golf - disc, fling and soccer |
| 2:30 PM | Parks Canada - Elk Island Take a walk through the Wahkotowin Visitor Centre at Elk Island National Park |
| 3:00 PM | Michif Beading Kayla reveals a new project she's working on |
| 3:30 PM | Closing Smudge Join Lisa from Fort McMurray Métis Trading Post for a smudge to close out the festival |
Support local, Indigenous creatives in #NEAB
“Our art is a matter of survival, we as Métis people are nothing without our art,” explains Lilyrose Myers, elder and program director at Métis Crossing, one of Canada’s top Indigenous attractions.
Photo:
Jeremy Derksen
Lily Rose Meyers, sharing stories about the Métis experience with guests at Métis Crossing.
During the #NEAB Online Festival you will be able to take a tour of her awesome as she takes you for a virtual tour answering the question on why Métis Crossing earns a spot on your destination hit list.
The list of experiences out of Métis Crossing is long—just watch this recent ZenSeekers Facebook live that knocked my socks off—a full on wildlife safari, similar to what I have experienced in Africa many years back, but this time it’s only 1.5 hour north east of Edmonton.
FACEBOOK LIVE: an introduction to Métis Crossing's attractions
Along with Métis Crossing there will be other Indigenous artisans and entrepreneurs giving how-tos and introductions on how to make Indigenous arts and crafts, including moccasin making, beading and skirt making.
Stay tuned for more from us @FestivalSeekers, the producers of the #NEAB Online Festival.
Support for the festival has been provided by:
- PrairiesCan
- Métis Crossing
- the County of Lac La Biche
- the Town of Vermilion
- The County of Athabasca
- the MD of Bonnyville
For more on the region, check out our past stories from the #TakeitToTheLake expedition.
