For youth by youth event coming this June

A new festival is set to begin in Grande Prairie, featuring local youth’s talents, and is being organized by local youth for youth. 

GP Youth Fest will be on June 25 in Muskoseepi Park and will feature a youth talent show.

“We wanted to allow youth to shine, to showcase their talent, showcase their skills, give them an exposure to the community, and allow them the opportunity to start building their roots here,” said EJ Igao, the 17-year-old Composite High School Grade 12 student and founder and event director. 

“We know this is important and for these future workers, for these future business people, for these future musicians and artists, they need to be exposed to the community, and that’s how they stay here.”

Igao knows that many youth leave the region to attend school in other cities and don’t return because they don’t realize the opportunities available in the Peace region. 

He says between acts of the talent show, he hopes to have people from different industries speak about what they do and why they work in the Peace region. 

“A common reason why people leave is that they don’t know what’s here, and we have to change that.

“There are a lot of things to do here, and there are a lot of opportunities in terms of careers and pathways.” 

The GP Youth Fest will be a place where local youth can gather to showcase their talents and share what they want for their community. 

“We hope to have a headliner as well, who is local, who can tell their story and inspire the youth of how they decided to come back here or how they decided to stay here, and they could be successful here,” said Igao. 

The event is also looking to include a 3v3 basketball tournament, food trucks, and some free swimming time at the pool for youth. 

On March 23, Igao hosted a launch event to let his community know about his June event. Guests included local elected officials from the City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie, MD of Greenview, local school board trustees, and local business owners. 

Many spoke of how Igao had contacted them seeking advice. 

Helping organize the event, he has connected four Grande Prairie high schools, Grande Prairie Composite, Charles Spencer, St. John Paul II Catholic School, and St. Joseph Catholic High School, with students gathering together to organize the event.

“We hope to have representation in the future from all the high schools here in the Peace region,” said Igao. 

“We’re excited for what the future holds.”

County of Grande Prairie Reeve Amanda McDonald said when youth feel connected, supported and empowered in the community, it only strengthens the community. 

“GP Youth Fest is more than just an event, it’s a place where young people can step forward, share their talents, try something new, and feel a sense of belonging, and just as importantly, it’s a chance for all of us, as a community, to show up for them,” she said.

Grande Prairie Coun. Chris Thiessen shared how impressed he was with Igao taking on such an ambitious project and working with many different people and government levels to make the project work.

The event was bookended with a musical performance from Grade 12 student Zack Jones and a networking mixer.