Large, COVID-safe crowd expected for Summer Solstice Festival North
Anyone on Manitoulin Island or in the vicinity of Little Current on Saturday may want to check out the Flat Rock Entertainment Centre for what promises to be an amazing celebration.
The Summer Solstice Festival North is all stated to get underway on June 19 in Anishinabek Territory with host nation Aundeck Omni Kaning welcoming people from across the region.
Staff have worked quickly to ensure it remains a COVID-safe event with a limited capacity of 250 cars being permitted to attend.
"This is an alcohol-free event, we're here to celebrate the Summer Solstice," said Indigenous Tourism Ontario's Kevin Eshkawkogan.
"We're calling it a pop-up event, but it's one that was in the works for quite some time. It's still being adjusted because of the global pandemic but it's a celebration of Indigenous culture."
It's been going on for a few days, but the big event is slated to be the drive-in event Saturday.
COVID-safe event
"Behind me we're going to have vehicles lined up, in a COVID safe manner," said Eshkawkogan. "There's a giant screen up there, so we're going to be streaming some Indigenous artists from across the country, Indigenous artists from all parts of Canada and they're going to be showcased.
"And to wrap up the show, we're going to have the first of its kind: a very large, Indigenous-themed drone show."
The show will tell the story of Indigenous Ontario, lighting up the sky with more than 200 drones.
There will also be singing and dancing. World renowned hoop dancer Nimkii from Wikwemikoong will perform. Pre-ordered food is also available for purchase from Hiawatha Osawamick catering.
"This is 100 per cent a COVID-safe event," Eshkawkogan stressed.
"We've incorporated our host community -- the Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation. They've been involved with the planning, we've had the health district involved with the planning, we've talked to the province -- everything we're doing is extremely safe for everyone."
"We're very pleased that Indigenous Tourism Ontario has chosen Little Current and Manitoulin for the world premiere of their drone show and this inaugural northern Ontario event," said Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands Mayor Al McNevin. "Celebrating alongside our friends is long overdue."
Tickets are still available. For more information head to their website here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.