the big thank you party

Registration

With the event being open to the public and an estimated 4500 attendee count, a seamless registration process was key to not only set the tone for the guest experience, but aid in our team’s planning and delivery. 

A custom event-branded website served as the hub for all sign-ups, requiring every attendee to pre-register and then collect a wristband [doubling as both ticket and meal pass]at a local grocery store before event day. 

To keep guests informed and prepared, the team deployed ten branded email blasts with clear instructions and timely reminders, from parking and shuttle details to bag-check policies and weather considerations. Messages highlighted key logistics like wristband pick-up dates, road closures, and on-site amenities. This proactive, well-branded communication ensured guests arrived ready and confident, creating a smooth, welcoming start to the celebration.

Around 5,000 people pre-registered and they came and went through the day with around 3,000 people at peak times. The on-site registration and security process went extremely smooth creating a great first impression off of the shuttles.

Food & Beverage

Guests enjoyed a vibrant culinary experience with 13 on-site food trucks offering a variety of global flavors, comfort foods, and sweet treats to satisfy every taste. Complementing the trucks, four catered food stations provided curated menu experiences from the Concorde Group of restaurants, including, Surfy Surfy Tacos with beef brisket or fish tacos, Clive Burger with burgers, hot dogs, and fries, Model Milk’s Nashville hot fried chicken and waffles, and a fun gelato bar with assorted toppings. Water stations from Tabl’eau kept guests refreshed, while the beer garden featured Blonde Ale and Hard Lemonade from Two Peaks Brewing, with a two-drink per person limit. Together, the trucks, stations, and beverages created a lively, flavorful experience that perfectly complemented the overall experience.

The Program

The program opened with a powerful performance by the Haisla dancers, who welcomed guests with traditional songs and movements, grounding the celebration in culture, place, and community. The afternoon flowed seamlessly with a 75-minute set from local band Hard Candy, energized by live DJ interludes that kept momentum high. Surprise acts, including a juggling duo featuring rings, contact juggling, and knife juggling, added dynamic spectacle and unexpected delight, keeping the audience engaged between musical performances. Later, The Rats delivered a 90-minute set that blended nostalgia and energy, maintaining a lively, communal atmosphere throughout the day.

Respectful pauses, including a Land Acknowledgement and remarks from the Mayor, Chief Councillor Maureen Nyce, and the CEO, created space for reflection and connection to the community. The evening’s crescendo came with a 90-minute performance by nationally recognized band The Sheepdogs, offering a memorable highlight for guests of all ages. The event concluded with host Steve Little’s closing remarks, ensuring a well-paced, meaningful, and celebratory experience from start to finish.

Beyond the mainstage performances, The Big Thank You Party offered a wide variety of entertainment designed to engage guests of all ages. Families gravitated toward the kids’ zone, where bounce houses provided hours of high-energy fun and face painters and airbrush tattoo artists sparked creativity and self-expression. Balloon twisters delighted children with whimsical creations, while roving entertainers moved throughout the grounds, surprising guests with interactive moments that kept the atmosphere lively and unpredictable. Together, these elements ensured there was always something new to discover, creating a layered experience that went far beyond a traditional concert.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP] Coins

A major standout highlight of this event was the recognition our team received from the RCMP in the form of Challenge Coins – a rare honor that signifies trust, respect, and exceptional service. Hosting a free, large-scale gathering in this remote community demanded months of meticulous health and safety planning, from traffic control and emergency response to a carefully coordinated shuttle system. Throughout the process, the RCMP Sergeant remained closely involved and cautious, questioning every detail to ensure nothing was missed. Receiving the coins validated the months of preparation and reinforced the trust and respect earned from both the RCMP and the community.

The Great Brisket Adventure

An unforgettable twist in the project came from an unlikely source: 450 pounds of brisket. Our Calgary caterer planned to fly the pre-marinated meat with the team [boxed and checked as luggage across 21 travelers] but the sheer weight grounded the plane despite prior airline approval. Passengers sacrificed personal bags so the brisket could make the trip, delaying the flight and the arrival of key audiovisual staff, which in turn stalled load-in and upended ground transportation schedules. What began as a catering detail triggered a ripple effect across production, yet both catering and production teams pivoted quickly, rerouting shuttles and reshuffling timelines. The brisket ultimately arrived intact, turning a potential disaster into a showcase of preparation, adaptability, and collaborative problem-solving.