Frostbite Festival returns to Whitehorse after 2 years in hibernation

The Frostbite Musical Festival returned to Whitehorse this weekend.

Once a multi-stage affair featuring popular acts like Sarah McLachlan and K. D. Lang, the annual all ages event fell apart two years ago because of a lack of money.

Now it has come back for another winter.  

"Frostbite kind of just dropped off the map, and myself as a long time volunteer was left wondering what exactly had happened, so getting involved again and helping to make it happen  is really a proud moment for me," said Chani Fleshman, president of the Frostbite Music Society.

The current incarnation of the festival was assembled thanks in large part to community sponsors and local musicians.
The Yukon College Student Union covered the cost of the venue, and local businesses loaned supplies.

"It's important because it is the music industry in the North," said Ted Arnold of Unitech Professional Sound. 

"It goes back to the beginning of my career and many peoples, many musicians were fostered by that situation.  And I just feel it's really important to give back to the community and have our festival back."

Fleshman feels the same.

"I just loved it so much I couldn't let it go, and wanted to see it come back and have some kind of a place in the community again if it has one, which I'm hoping people will come out to the door and show us that it has one."

Fleshman hopes the community comes out to welcome back the festival. She said if it succeeds organizers will try to bring in outside acts next year. 

The festival started Friday and continues through the weekend at Yukon College.