The Lytton River Festival is one of the best small town festivals in British Columbia.
Festival organizers are pleased that Jacob Pratt, one of the most famous hoop dancers in the world, is performing at this year’s Pow Wow event on Sunday, Sept. 4.
The unique family oriented fair begins on Friday evening and goes until late Sunday afternoon of the Labour Day long weekend. It celebrates two great rivers that converge at Lytton – the Thompson and Fraser.
Saturday family activities dominate the festival including a climbing wall, vendors, farmer’s market, and street entertainment. Sunday is devoted to First Nations artisan displays and a Pow Wow.
A new artisan display demonstrates traditional techniques for constructing fishing dip nets, still used for food gathering along the Thompson and Fraser rivers.
Two live bands perform on Friday night and two on Saturday night to create the mood and music for street dancing.
Jacob Pratt has shared his talents with the world. Currently in Sweden dancing, public speaking, and performing on his traditional Indian flute, Lytton is his first Canadian performance this fall. He has made a huge contribution to First Nations Youth all across Canada and the USA
He travels throughout North America dancing Men’s Traditional in the Pow Wow genre. His recent speciality is the Hoop Dance, which uses 15 hoops to tell stories by creating different formations depicting animals such as the eagle, bear and butterfly. His performance is spectacular.
Jacob was selected to perform the hoop dance at the 2010 Winter Olympic Opening Ceremonies. He is also a model, a theatre actor, and a motivation speaker.
The Lytton Festival began in 2004 and has become the Fraser Canyon’s most popular festival. Award winning blues artist Gerald Charlie of the Blackowl Blues band describes it as the “best festival I’ve been to.” Back by popular demand, Gerald is performing on Friday night of the celebration.
Family oriented, the two-day event features a host of activities for children and adults alike. Festival organizers are proud to welcome Jacob to this year’s event.
All activities from Friday night until Sunday afternoon are free. More information is available at www.riverfestival.ca
Submitted