This festival near Cochrane is for those looking for something a little different
The organizer of an increasingly popular festival west of Calgary says the event is attracting those looking for something a little different.
Called Sangha, a Festival of Medicine, the event started in 2014 with roughly 100 people and has grown to more than 500, mostly through word of mouth.
Organizer Ray Hawkins says he wanted to create something that included all the best elements from festivals he's attended around the world. That means there's a parade, drumming, art, dance, workshops for men and women, and even a comedy show.
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"If you are going to go there, you are going to see people in drum circles, you are going to see people dancing, you are going to see people dressed up in costumes, fully expressing themselves to their heart's desire because we don't judge," he said.
"There's value for everybody. If you are not into dressing up in costumes and dancing around a drum circle, you might be into sitting down and listening to the beautiful poetry of Shari-D Wilson, or visiting the elders tent, or sitting in a men's group."
Hawkins says another aim of the festival is to be family friendly in all aspects.
"This is an intentional gathering and we go through this at opening circle, helping people to connect with this," he said.
"This is not a festival to come and get drunk. It's not a festival to come and do substance abuse, it's a festival to connect. Don't get me wrong, the last couple of years at Sangha it's been hot, and sometimes there's really nothing better than an ice-cold beer, but we just want people to recognize and be aware there could be small eyes on them at any time and to be that good example."
The event runs July 6-9 at Camp Jubilee in Cochrane.
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