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! 

Week 3 Highlights

Get cooking with syrup with tips from Orchard Fresh Syrup, learn about the intricacies of making stained glass and get a cocktail recipe for an Easter flavoured treat.

WATCH: Syrup goes with almost anything, from breakfast to salad

WATCH: learn how to make stained glass art with Noelle Sommerville, of Healing a la Source

WATCH: learn how to make the Bunny Hop Shot, using mini chocolate eggs and Copper Cork Distillery's coffee-flavoured vodka

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 AMAlberta Parks   
get a preview live music experience at Alberta's only live music venue on an island!
09:30 AMTravel-ING-ON app   
meet the app to find your next travelING experiences   
10:00 AMLac La Biche Museum   
A fascinating historical survey of the region, French, Russian, Indigenous, Métis and more. New and rotating exhibits.    
11:00 AMPlamondon Hall / Festival Centre   
Take a virtual tour and enter for a chance to win tix to the upcoming Comedy Night! 
12:30Talking Rock Tours   
Keith Diakiw, geo-educational Indigenous adventurer, presents a rock and stone demo 
3:00 PMKookum 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 PMSoup Time  
Take a cooking lesson and learn how to whip up delicious soup with Soup Time
12:30Grande Rapids Wilderness Adventures  
Take a tour of GRWA's backcountry cabins, and preview summer package trips
Tues, Mar 14
10:00 AMHideaway Adventure Grounds   
Watch a Trapper's Tent demonstration and learn about day trip adventures at Hideaway
11:00 AMRiver Meadows RV Park  
Make camping an adventure with outdoor activities at River Meadows - but book soon!   
1:00 PMChristy Creek Honey  
See Rob and Joanne suit up, meet the bees and learn about private tours to book now
2:30 PMBurnt Rock Adventure Co.
Announcing Paddlepalooza! And a new tour offering, LIVE from their historic location in downtown Vermilion
3:00 PMKookum Clara's Custom Cree-ations   
See how a ribbon skirt is made, and enter to win a custom keychain!
Thurs, Mar 16
9:30 AMFort McMurray Métis Trading Post
Join Lisa to learn smudging etiquette and participate in a live smudge
10:00 AMKT Creations   
See how moccasins are made
10:30 AMCopper Cork Distillery
Learn how to make a St. Patty's cocktail  
11:00 AMVermilion Heritage Museum
Take a look back in Vermilion history
12:00 PMOrchard Fresh Syrups  
Learn how to make a summer dessert topping with Saskatoon syrup
1:30 PMKapâwinihk Wilderness Triathlon   
Step to the starting line, and check out this wilderness tri course
Tues, Mar 21
09:30 AMTawatinaw Valley Retreat Bed & Breakfast  
Tour the B&B's relaxing setting 
11:00 AM350 Farms  
See what goes into making 350 Farms' popular charcuterie-style breakfast board
12:00 PMHealing A la Source  
Learn key steps in making stained glass
2:00 PMSandi's Métis Designs  
Join Sandi for a basket weaving demo
Thurs, Mar 23
10:30 AMKinosoo Ridge Resort
Check out MD Bonnyville's winter (and summer) playground, right on Cold Lake
11:30 AMCreeative Rose Beading
Sierra gives you a sneak peek on new beaded earrings and shows off some of her bestsellers
12:30 PMWater Spirit Spa and Retreats  
Learn about soothing, holistic health treatments at the spa
1:30 PMLac La Biche Agricultural Society
Celebrate 50 years with the the society's first market day coming up Mar 31 
2:30 PMPrairie Bakeshop & Bistro
Join Darren for baking demo
Tues, Mar 28
09:00 AMTerrBear Lauzon Artworks Creations   
Get a glimpes into an artist's creative process
09:30 AMOld School Cheesery
See the new storefront and learn about new spring offerings
10:00 AMReel Angling Adventures
Get ready for summer fishing!
11:00 AMMétis Crossing  
LilyRose introduces you to traditional workshops and signature experiences
1:00 PMLac La Biche Mission   
See inside the historic convent and preview their upcoming Easter event   
1:30 PMVermilion Agricultural Society
Join the Vermilion Ag Society to hear about exciting events coming in 2023
2:00 PMRocky Lane Fairways   
Discover new ways to golf - disc, fling and soccer
2:30 PMParks Canada - Elk Island
Take a walk through the Wahkotowin Visitor Centre at Elk Island National Park
3:00 PMMichif Beading  
Kayla reveals a new project she's working on
3:30 PMClosing 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 

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