Bright Nights in June fills Cultural Centre with music, art and community

Between the music, the market and the giant prints being rolled out in the parking lot, there was no shortage of reasons to stop by Bright Nights in June.

Artists prepare and apply ink using rollers before being its layed out for a construction roller to make the final roll, successfully creating wonderful prints on Big Print Day in thew North Peace.

The annual three-day event was held at the North Peace Cultural Centre and drew a strong turnout throughout the weekend. Art Stars kicked the event off on Thursday, a performance from Duane Steele highlighted Friday night, and locals made their way through the Makers Market on Saturday to check out artwork, crafts, and live music.

This year's Art Stars event highlighted local artists and creators including Duane Steele, Celina Forbes, Elan Jeannotte and the Alaska Highway News publisher Todd Buck.

The event featured a Friday night performance by Duane Steele, whose Troubadour show paid tribute to Canadian music legend Gordon Lightfoot.

Inside the market vendors had tables lined with everything from handmade jewelry and gifts to artwork and crafts. One booth would catch your eye, then another, and before long you'd find yourself making another lap around the room to see something you missed the first time through.

Outside, live music echoed through the downtown corridor for much of the afternoon, adding a nice soundtrack to the day which gave people another reason to stick around.

Meanwhile on the far side of the building, Big Print Day was drawing plenty of attention of its own.

For those who haven't seen it before, local artists use a large packer to press and create the oversized prints that have become one of the signature attractions of Bright Nights in June. Watching the process is almost as interesting as seeing the finished pieces, and throughout the day people gathered around to see the prints come together.

North Peace events like these have a way of bringing a lot of different people together as some come for the music, some come for the market, and some come for the art.

Whatever the reason, there was a good crowd on hand Saturday and plenty of reasons to spend a few hours at the Cultural Centre.