Burning Man regular finds Tequila-sharing philosophy at home at Northern Vibe (22 photos)

When Dr. Cuervo and Omegadon showed up to The Northern Vibe Festival they came packed with their safari-trip, wizard, and mad hatter costumes, a flamethrower, and a chainsaw that makes margaritas.

Everything, but the kitchen sink.

And their motorized Italian leather couch. They also left their motorized Italian leather couch at home.

“In the last 12 years I’ve probably given out about 12,000 margaritas,” said Dr. Cuervo, who when he’s not “performing” is known as Denis Gauthier, a guy who works in mechanical maintenance at Essar Steel Algoma.

The Northern Vibe Festival is a three-day camping and music event that was held just outside of Sault Ste. Marie from August 14-16.

Gauthier and his partying buddy Omegadon normally go to Burning Man — the infamous 70,000 capacity arts gathering held annually in the Nevada Desert.

Because of his work schedule and the Canadian dollar, Gauthier couldn’t make it this year and Omegadon wasn't going to go without him.

“This festival is the closest thing I can find to Burning Man around here,” said Gauthier during the Northern Vibe Festival.

Gauthier said that a ticket to the week-long Burning Man Festival, after delivery and car pass fees, would have him around $850, while after taxes a Northern Vibe Festival weekend pass comes in at around $100.

That's before gas and any other costs associated with the trip, which is a lot higher when you’re going to Nevada.

Still, Gauthier is a bit sad because his trips to Burning Man are annual occasions to see his brother, Yves, who goes by the name ‘Rock Bottom’ at festivals.

At Burning Man, the brothers are known as the ‘Chainsaw Margarita Guys’ and they spend the week theatrically engaging with partiers, offering up margaritas to everyone they meet.

Their gimmick? Instead of a motorized blender they place the margarita jug on a chainsaw whose motor, while making that loud dramatic chainsaw noise, vibrates and mixes the drink.

Gauthier said they give out around 1,000 margaritas every year at absolutely no charge.

Their alcohol bill is always at least triple their food bill, but it’s all part of the gathering’s gift-giving and sharing atmosphere.

For example, people will often show up to the event with specially-decorated or uniquely built ‘art cars’ and give people rides.

Gauthier brings down his own art car, a motorized $2,800 Italian leather couch that he took right out of his own living room.

He named the vehicle ‘Sofa King Amazing’.

The positive, fun, and sharing atmosphere was visible at Northern Vibe over the weekend and of course Gauthier contributed, giving out margaritas to basically anyone who wanted one.

He even made them for Saturday’s headlining band My Son the Hurricane, a Toronto-based brass/hip-hop act whose drummer and bandleader Dan O’Shea is from the Sault.

The band’s energy-packed performance went over really well with the festival crowd on Saturday.

There were also performances by Frank Deresti and the Lake Effect, Soo York City Urban Arts Collective, and more.

Besides a main music stage, a second stage near the winding Thessalon River — which runs through the festival grounds – played electronic dance music throughout the evening.

Northern Vibe Festival replaces Hempfest, a marijuana-themed festival that ran several years prior.

It's arts and music focused however it still carries some association with marijuana.

Planetary Pride hemp shop and Bodystream medical marijuana clinic were two of the event’s sponsors.

There were also art displays and activities, a big bonfire, and it seemed like a truly fun experience for most people there.

“You can’t really compare it to Burning Man, but Northern Vibe is magical in it’s own way,” said Gauthier.