It might have been a little dusty, but the Diamond campsite was a little piece of heaven for Edmonton residents Chris Fedor and Kieran Kennedy.
“It looks like a cat litter box, but it’s been a beach party all weekend,” Fedor said.
The duo were two of thousands who camped out and said the experience has been a memorable one.
“Nowhere is as beautiful as here,” Fedor said. “You can’t beat it – there’s a cold river, mountains – it’s incredible.”
“Everyone’s been really supportive and accommodating,” added Kennedy.
“Usually in a festival town they hate all the festival people, but not here.”
Despite slow shuttle service early on, the duo had few complaints. They said they came for Eminem and Arcade Fire, but the festival’s depth impressed them.
“Nas was awesome,” Fedor said. “You will never see Illmatic live again and Bruno Mars was an incredible performer.”
“We’re definitely coming back,” Kennedy said. “And for next year I’d like to see Radiohead.”
A few feet away from the hard partying Albertans was the Cardboard Castle, aka – Fort Bigelow. A quartet from Victoria crafted the “tent” out of cardboard boxes and their friend Courtney Williams explained the set-up.
“They’re all driving up to the Yukon after this in a little Suzuki and didn’t have room for tents,” she said, laughing. “They went and got boxes from Wal-Mart and Home Depot and it’s been good for them because everyone has been really respectful of it.”
Williams explained they dubbed it Fort Bigelow to honour a friend of theirs who passed away and was a staple of their festival-going group.
She said camping was much faster this year than last and the performers have been top notch.
“Bruno Mars was really amazing,” she said. “I’ve never been a fan of his, but we didn’t want it to end. We mostly came for Arcade Fire and Arctic Monkeys.”
Williams said that she and her group will definitely be back next year, but it’s unclear if the Cardboard Castle will be making a return.
