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It's no secret that summer in the North is festival season, with jamborees, competitions and celebrations held across the territory's 33 communities. Almost all of those are focused on children and family-friendly activities.

But the upcoming Fireweed Festival in Fort Smith aims to provide a small opportunity for adults to cut loose.

"We're like Stacy, Art and Smith to State of the Art," said co-organizer Melissa Johns. "We have solo acts with fiddles and guitar, we have rock and roll.

"We are inclusive SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” we want everyone to come. We try to make the line-up flow, starting slower and end with a metal band at 2 a.m."

Fort Smith's annual Fireweed Festival is set for Aug. 22 to 24 with a huge line-up of musicians set to play three sets apiece.

True to its name, the festival is grassroots in its origins, having only begun in 2022.

"It started with us sitting in the garden and Jolene (Bourque, co-organizer) was like, 'We should do a music festival' and I was like 'Yeah, we should'," said Johns. "So we did it out at Queen Elizabeth Park. We had a makeshift stage, it rained and we moved under the picnic shelter SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” but it didn't dampen our spirits.

"Then we got evacuated in 2023 but in 2024, we had the festival and probably had 30 vendors and about 45 musicians, so it was quite big. It's just been building since."

Over 60 musicians and acts are scheduled to be on stage throughout the weekend at both family friendly and adults-only shows, bringing with them a wide variety of music genres from folk to metal.

Making a triumphant homecoming to Fort Smith will be Calgary Stampede headliner Mitchell Quarter, along with his band Nik N Mitch, but Johns said all the bands coming out were worth seeing.

Alongside the musical performances, a show and shine showcasing the NWT's inventory of classic cars is also in the works, with vehicles driving in from around the region and all the way from Yellowknife, Fort Resolution and Hay River. Vintage car enthusiast Mike Hall, known for the documentary "Rust Valley Restorers," will also be on hand throughout the weekend to sign autographs and talk cars.

While the festival is keen to host its adults-only 'Wild Bloom' dance party on Aug. 23, the weekend will be filled will all sorts of family friendly activities including workshops on making flower crowns, pottery lessons and birdhouse painting SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” not to mention a youth fiddle camp which will take place at the end of the festival. Those wanting to have fun without getting their hands dirty can check out such offerings as chicken-poop bingo, face painting, yoga classes and bouncy castles.

Shoppers will be able to check out a selection of art, crafts and foods from nearly four dozen vendors who will be coming into town for the celebration.

The Fort Smith Metis Council will also be hosting a Metis Village showcasing local culture, with a display of furs and demonstrations of traditional knowledge.

All of this, with the exceptions of Friday and Saturday nights at Dirty O'Fergies, is free to attend. The two paid shows are $20 each. 

"The daytime events are very family focused, but the nighttime events will have adult beverages," said Johns. "The kick-off party will be a chance for everyone to catch up. People can come with their homemade crowns (and) there will be two stages running simultaneously. Everyone will have a chance to play inside and or outside.

"I just want to hear Johnny Landry sing Hina Na Ho Hine at 2 a.m."

Johns added the festival was able to do all of this because of the efforts of volunteers, which are still needed to help put up tents and keep the festival going.

She added the festival was bankrolled on the three organizers: Bourque, Allison McArthur and herself thanks to running bingos and other fundraisers to keep it going.

Anyone interested in helping out should reach out to her or the other organizers. Alternatively, you can simply show up at Queen Elizabeth Park on Aug. 21 at noon and someone will put you to work.