Yellowknife residents gather for the weekend at Old Town Ramble and Ride

Clear skies and good company set the tone for the 19th annual Ramble and Ride festival in Yellowknife's Old Town this weekend.

The event drew a bustling crowd, with residents soaking up the sunshine on Saturday and taking in everything from textile art exhibits to street food vendors.

The festival went ahead this year despite wildfire smoke blanketing much of the territory on Friday. Air quality advisories were issued for several N.W.T. communities, but the advisory in Yellowknife was lifted in time for Saturday's events. 

"Well, actually, when I woke up [Saturday] morning, I went for my dog walk like I usually do every morning, and it didn't register that the sky was bright blue," said Gigi Forget, a vendor at the festival.

"Then I got here and somebody pointed out that the sky is clear and visible. And I was like, 'Oh my God, yes, it is. I can see the clouds.'"

Forget said the warm weather made it all the more enjoyable to connect with the community.

"Well, I just think if people could be more grateful for what's around us and what we have in our lives, I think that's necessary. And it's a beautiful thing, you wake up and just be grateful to be breathing and have people that you can love."

Nearby, a group of  textile artists were showing off their latest creative challenge in a mobile exhibit space, with six artists contributing to a circular art piece series they'd been planning for months.

Pat Moore and Hazel Wainwright, both members of the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts, displayed their work made using wool paper, velvet, sequins, and other materials.

"So I did this with what's called wool papers…When you layer them, you can see that the colours come through. That was quite fun," said Moore.

Earlier this year, the group met between Christmas and New Year's at the Guild to plan their pieces. One of the younger members pushed for a new challenge, which led them to the circular theme, a first for many of the artists.

The group's pieces were housed in a mini art trailer that they've brought to the festival for the past few years.

"It's a perfect size for the group," Moore said. "It's always fun to come and set up and see things."

Moore was pleased with the turnout at this year's event. 

"It's great because I thought if it's really smoky, people won't come out and see all the work that goes into getting ready for all the vendors [and] all the volunteers for Ramble and Ride."

The Ramble and Ride festival wrapped up on Sunday evening.