More than 150 radio fans had an early start last Saturday to get a glimpse behind the scenes at a CBC live broadcast.
Sheryl McKay presented North by Northwest live from Fernie Heritage Library on CBC Radio 1 from 7:10 a.m. last Saturday, in a program that showcased artists, musicians and writers from the Elk Valley.
The live broadcast came to Fernie because City of Fernie Coun. Randal Macnair, owner of Oolichan Books and organizer of Fernie Writers’ Conference, made the winning bid in a CBC food bank auction, giving him the opportunity to have CBC broadcast from the location of his choice.
He chose to host the program from the downtown heritage building, which now has shelves on casters so that the books can be moved back to create a space large enough to host fundraisers and social events.
The show featured interviews with members of the local arts community, at the end of the Fernie Writers’ Conference.
Artists featured on the show included potter Kerri Holmes, sports photographer Mark Gallup, artist Angela Morgan, Fernie Forge blacksmith Sandra Barrett, young writer Sienna Longo, author Angie Abdou and artist Michael Hepher.
Members of the audience at the library included groups from the teen and youth writing courses which were held this year as part of the Fernie Writers’ Conference.