After a rain-soaked opening day, the sun came out for the second and final day of Yorkton’s inaugural Living Skies Music Festival, drawing crowds to the city’s rodeo grounds for a day of rock music. The change in weather was immediately noticeable. While Friday’s country-themed opening night was marked by cold temperatures and steady rain, festivalgoers returned Saturday under sunny skies and warmer conditions. “It’s been amazing,” Yorkton Mayor Aaron Kienle told CTV News. “[On] day one we did deal with a bit of weather, but still the show went on. And here we are, on day two with good weather, great crowds. It’s been awesome.” Kienle said the most important expectation for the first-year festival was simply getting it off the ground. “In my mind, year one, we’ve got to do it,” he said. “Whatever the size is or however many people show up, we just have to do it so that it can grow from here.” The mayor spent Friday night at the campsite adjacent to the festival grounds and started volunteering Saturday morning. “I had to actually help out with the volunteers and unload a bunch of gear for one of the bands here,” he said. Saturday’s rock lineup featured Matt Cory, The Great Fuss, Blu Beach Band, Econoline Crush, Crash Test Dummies and Big Sugar. “I’m in love with Keyboard Guy!” shouted an enthusiastic fan referring to keyboardist Leith Fleming-Smith with the Crash Test Dummies. The shout prompted others to join in as Fleming-Smith’s bright Hawaiian shirt and ecstatic stage presence made him a crowd favourite. The Crash Test Dummies were the second band to garner a larger crowd in front of the stage, the first being Econoline Crush. Saturday’s crowd almost went home without seeing Big Sugar. The headliner’s flight from Colorado was cancelled, leaving the musicians stranded far from Saskatchewan. While some crew members and equipment had already arrived in Yorkton, the band decided to make the trip by road. According to Kienle, they spent roughly 16 hours travelling by vehicle to ensure they could still perform in Yorkton. “They wanted to be at the show,” he said. Despite the small bumps along the road, the festival went according to plan, and festivalgoers who spoke with CTV News said they were eager to see Living Skies Music Festival return next year. “It’s been a really good time,” said Brady, who attended both days of the event. “The music’s been great and everyone else is having a great time out here.” Amanda said Friday’s performances by Jess Moskaluke and Dallas Smith set the tone for the weekend. “We’ve been having the best time,” she said. “Lots of dancing, lots of fun. Can’t complain.” They praised the festival’s affordability, noting it offered the chance to see major acts close to home without the cost of travelling to larger centres. “The pricing is fantastic,” Amanda added. “We don’t have to travel to Regina or Saskatoon and pay for hotels and gas.” Many were already looking ahead to next year’s festival and floated some ambitious ideas for a future lineup. “Guns N’ Roses,” Crystal said. “I want to just put that out there.” Kienle said feedback from attendees, vendors and campers has been overwhelmingly positive and will help shape future editions of the festival. “People are just saying what a wonderful thing this is,” he said. “They’re so happy that we’re doing this.” Despite weather challenges and travel complications, Yorkton’s first Living Skies Music Festival ended on a high note, with many already hoping the event returns bigger and better next year, even if they have to wait a little longer for Guns N’ Roses.
