Old Town's marquee street party is back this weekend with art shows, musical performances, tours and pancakes (among other eatable delights).
Festival-goers will have the chance to vote on their favourite upcycled artistic creation, such as this “bottle tree” by Dave Kellett, during the Trash-formation art show hosted by Ecology North.
June 5, 2018.
Headlining this year's Old Town Ramble and Ride is Supaman, a hip hop artist and member of the Apsaalooke Nation who lives on the Crow reservation in Montana.
The only performer from outside Yellowknife at the event, Supaman will be performing five times throughout the weekend, including a set with throat singer Tanya Snow.
He will also be hosting a free beatbox and looping workshop for young people ages 12 to 24 on Friday at the Side Door, which will be followed by pizza.
New to the festival is the “trash-formation” art show, which features artworks made by Yellowknife artists from upcycled trash.
Observers of the Ecology North-hosted event can vote for their favourite piece, and the winning artist will be awarded a bicycle from Old Town Bikeworks.
Each year the Ramble and Ride spearheads one street beautification project. In the past there have been dumpsters and benches and bike racks painted as part of the festival.
This year James Wedzin of Behchoko painted a four panel mural, with each panel representing a season. The mural has been put up across the from Cultural Crossroads Park.
“It's just stunning,” said Ramble and Ride coordinator Emily Smits of the mural.
“On our (Facebook) page it's gotten the most likes we've every had.”
Wedzin will be at the festival selling artwork and doing painting demonstrations.
Cultural Crossroads Park will be the location of a fourth stage this weekend, said Smits, which will host acts that highlight Yellowknife's diversity.
There will be bagpipes, drumming, fiddling, dance and Supaman will perform there as well.
Festival-goers can take in the Old Town sights with a garden walking tour on Saturday through what organizers describe as the neighbourhood's “funky productive”gardens, and an architectural walking tour on Sunday hosted by Guy Architects.
The Government Docks stage will be fully tented this year.
“We're ready for all weather, rain or shine,” said Smits, adding that she “ordered good weather, so hopefully it gets here in time.”
The Ramble and Ride festival was started 12 years ago by a group of gallery and business owners and Old Town residents.
“It's grown and grown and grown over the years and it's now this great street festival,” said Smits.
“It's about promoting the neighbourhood and showing what Old Town has to offer.”
The festival is a free and family-friendly activity for people who will be in town for the August long weekend.
Festivities get going on Friday with the Critical Mass Kick off Bike Rally, which leaves from Somba K'e Park at 6 p.m. and ends at the Down to Earth Gallery where there will be a Kick off Concert.
Saturday opens with a pancake breakfast at Rotary Park, and activities run through Sunday.
All Transit Service and accessible transit will be free from noon today through tomorrow. Route C will be detoured through Ingraham Drive (Pilots Monument) during the festival.
Temporary stops will be in place.