![\"Captain](\"https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/edmontonjournal/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/0618-you-ncf.jpg\" "\\"Captain")
Fires and tigers and pirates, oh my!
You wouldn’t be mistaken noticing a skull-and-crossbones theme to this year’s North Country Fair – more than the usual Jolly Roger ship in the playground and hirsute volunteers with tricorn hats staying up till dawn.
You see, 2026 is the year Celtic-punk Captain Tractor, with its famous cover of Arrogant Worms’ The Last Saskatchewan Pirate, “somehow, finally,” as artistic director Laurie Iverson puts it, plays the fest Friday and Saturday night up by Driftplile, Alta., – 33 years into the band’s life, 48 into the annual solstice celebration.
That’s not even the only “Captain” band, mind you, as the reliable party machine Captain Thunderpants is also on the bill in a nice mix of folk icon John Wort Hannam, sweetheart duo Jed and the Valentine, the country-lovin’ Uncas, Tzadeka and the Murder Hornets, of course NCF’s human infrastructure Scott Cook and the Outdoorables, plus various party animals like Monkeyjunk, Eraser Crow and Handsome Tiger. Rawr!
The fest opens up Thursday with Mya Hill, The McGowan Family Band, hard-rockin’ Quietus and the Boom Booms, a-booming.
Also debuting out here, blending Balkan brass, electronic beats and an international vibe, California’s Balkan Bump will keep the music going late into the night Friday at Reed’s Stage, while the aforementioned Handsome Tiger will do the same down the road at Shady Grove.
Overall, a raucous lineup full of late-night dance beats, screaming power fiddle, chill folk, danceable country music and solid metal.
“The up-and-comers, like Jed and the Valentine and Marcus Trummor,” says Iverson, “are kind of the people I suspect could become the people that we won’t be able to afford down the road, just kind of like the early stars you can say you saw at the Fair.”
The full lineup and schedule are as ever at northcountryfair.ca, where you can also buy adult weekend passes for $240 a pop, or $140 for youth 13 to 17 years old, same price for seniors 65 and older. Kids 12 and under get in free, and besides the extensive playground, there’s plenty of workshops and creative activities for all.
And indeed, the fest a great mix folks of all human ages, never mind some of the ancient trees and brand-new groves you’ll see in and around the fest’s four official stages.
This gets us into the general breathtaking natural beauty of the place known as The Land to long-timers, including those who live out here all year round and let us wander around for the best weekend of the year.
It’s here I’ll say if you were only going to pack a couple things, I’d start with waterproof footwear and warm layers, but also your coolest sunglasses and ample sunscreen. Extra socks, just do it!
I’ve been up here since Sunday helping Edmonton artist Steve Teeuwsen build a beautiful new owl gate at Shady Grove, and so far we’ve seen every kind of weather, including a towering, skyscraper-sized marshmallow cloud slowly rolling over us like some Miyazaki god with a brief deluge as the sun set.
The mosquitos are active though not unbearable around sunset, though they tend to get overstuffed with volunteer blood by Thursday, but do bring big spray anyway. No reports of ticks so far, which is good news – but long pants in the tall grass is always smart.
Other creatures heard spotted so far: a great horned owl, a couple eagles, some hilarious screaming crows, loads of Canada Geese, frog choruses and a lovely constellation of dancing fireflies.
It’s magic out here, in short, so set up your tent or trailer (camping, wood and a sweet beach are free) and get to wandering.
Back to the programmed fun, there’s an Indigenous fashion show by Chacha Ku Cree-ations at Reed’s Stage 7:15 p.m. Friday before the Formal Friday Fashion Show at 8:30 p.m.
A kids parade with Brasstactics 4 p.m. Saturday will roll through the midway, and Sampler Cafe, 1:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. (also Saturday) will provide beats for a “freestyle, Fair style” hip‑hop set.
“You’re up for the time of your life is honestly a real fair statement,” says Iveson with a laugh. “I love to meet people who have never been to the fair before and see the amazement in their eyes, you know, because I know that’s what kept me coming to the Fair and getting involved and doing all the things that I do.
“One of my favorite things is to meet somebody who’s never been to the Fair before, and see how surprised they are at how kind people are, how much fun it is, how late everybody stays up, what a big party it is.”
Leaving on one last pirate note with a joke: what’s a pirate’s favourite letter of the alphabet?
Arrr know what you’re thinking – but above all they love the C!
Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add EdmontonJournal.com and EdmontonSun.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.
You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun.
","slug":"captain-tractor-joins-all-things-pirate-at-north-country-fair","publicPath":"/news/2026-06-16-captain-tractor-joins-all-things-pirate-at-north-country-fair"}}