The Napatak Ramble is held on land owned by La Ronge Counc. Matt Klassen. (submitted photo/Napatak Ramble) : COREY HARDCASTLE

By Derek Cornet

Music festival

Napatak Ramble seeks support for 2019 music festival

Feb 26, 2019 | 12:00 PM

Several in-kind donations requested from the Napatak Ramble organizing committee were denied at the most recent regular La Ronge council meeting.

In a letter sent to council, the music festival organizers asked for six specific donations from the town including garbage disposal, site maintenance and cutting grass, traffic control, tables and chairs, a water tank, and posters and advertising. Council, except for Coun. Matt Klassen who declared a conflict of interest and left the room, decided to only contribute table and chairs, as well as advertising. While Mayor Ron Woytowich and other councillors were hesitant to provide everything they were asked for, Coun. Jordan McPhail said he had no problem agreeing to all of the requests, as long as the town didn’t end up doing all of the work and other tri-community partners were left out.

“It’s going to go on regardless or not if we support it, but I think it would be shameful for us to not support something like this,” he said, noting it serves as a tourist attraction.

At this point, the Air Ronge and Lac La Ronge Indian Band councils haven’t been sent a similar letter from the Napatak Ramble requesting such support, but artistic director and Napatak Ramble founder Colin Jolly noted they will now since it was brought to his attention. He added the committee is open to any assistance they can receive from tri-community leadership.

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Without all the support they requested from La Ronge, however, Jolly added the festival will go on as planned and is scheduled for July 5 and 6. He also stated Napatak Ramble mostly operates from contributions from businesses, sponsors and support from volunteers. In 2018, Jolly stated close to 600 people travelled from across Saskatchewan to attend the event.

“We have a board of about eight to 10 members on the Ramble who are all super into it and believe in what the Ramble stands for,” Jolly stated. “We would never let it die based on support we can’t get.”

Any local musicians wanting to perform at the event in July are welcome to audition March 29 and 30 at Eagle Point Resort. Those who are interested should contact the committee to register.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno