Field festival still growing after 18 years
Alexandre-Aimée Baker
Special to the Tribune
If you haven’t made the trek down to Fishers’ Paradise along the Sturgeon River yet, you might be missing one of the most vibrant cultural touchstones happening right in our own backyard. Returning to River & Sky for its 18th annual edition, July 23 – 26, my goal this year was simple: to experience the festival through the eyes of a local resident. I wanted to see firsthand how this long-running gathering has evolved, how accessible its shows and workshops are for area families, and why it holds such potential as a staple summer activity and youth volunteering opportunity for our community.
A lot of local residents still have no idea that every single year, thousands of people gather right along the Sturgeon River to camp, listen to live music, and connect with a welcoming community. Having been to River & Sky in the past, it’s striking to see how it has transformed into a genuinely family-friendly affair. The festival offers a rare showcase of music, topics, and subcultures we don’t always see in the North, serving as a direct reflection of broader cultural conversations happening far beyond our borders. This year, the music on the main stage and beyond carried strong political statements, echoing those larger discussions with real passion.
The festival officially kicked off on Wednesday (when most campers arrive to set up their sites), though I made my way down starting Thursday to take in the bustling atmosphere. One thing is for certain: if you plan to explore the entire site, be prepared for a workout! The journey begins at the top of the hill where vehicles park, winding past the RV and trailer section. Once you clear the festival store and main entrance, tents pop up in every direction as you approach the main stage, food vendors, and craft bar. Deep in the woods, a trail leads past the paramedic and harm-reduction tents toward the forest stage, where a path strung with hanging lights guides you all the way down to the riverfront beach.
