April 16, 2004
Iqaluit prepares for
Toonik Tyme rewards
Spring festival promises
reams of activities, and cash
NUNATSIAQ NEWS
It's that Tyme again.
Toonik Tyme's heady festivities
are set to take over Iqaluit in a celebration of spring - and this year, promise
to seduce people with extra prize money in traditional events.
Organizers of the annual
festival said they increased cash prizes for the seal hunting, seal skinning
and igloo building competitions with a precise eye to attracting more participants.
However, the less traditional
events will still be the most lucrative for the lucky and talented few. Fear
Factor, a battle based on the popular TV series, where contestants try to outdo
each other trudging through a challenge meant to turn the stomach, will offer
flights to Ottawa - plus a week-long Caribbean vacation of choice.
The gross-out will begin
at 7 p.m. at the Storehouse Bar on Wednesday.
Giant Bingo, known to pull
players in from communities around Nunavut, puts $20,000 worth of prize money
on the line this year, in Nevada playcards and a $10,000 jackpot. Players can
expect the doors to open at 4 p.m. at the curling rink, where the event will
be held on Friday (April 23). Games begin at 6 p.m.
The week-long celebration
officially begins with opening ceremonies on April 19, with a sealskin fashion
show at Nakasuk School at 7 p.m.
However, competitions will
already be underway with a minor hockey tournament, which runs April 15-18;
the seal hunting contest on April 17; snowmobile oval races on the same day
on the sea ice; and a puck-carving contest at the Arctic Winter Games complex
in the afternoon.
The explosion of activity
in Iqaluit will include good, free food at a community feast, held by the John
Howard Society, at 6 p.m. at Parish Hall on April 18.
To shake off the extra
calories, or simply soak in some good music, people can head out to Northern
Band Night at 7 p.m. on April 20 at Nakasuk School.
Then, fishermen and fisherwomen
able to get up early will take their jigging rods to Northmart to register for
the fishing derby at 7 a.m. on April 22.
And artists with a deft
hand for making something nice from ice, are invited to go to the Nakasuk parking
lot for the annual ice sculpture contest.
Toonik Tyme closes officially
with a country music performance from Tom Jackson, star of the CBC drama series
North of 60, at 7 p.m. on April 24 at Nakasuk School.
For more information on
events, call Ailsa at 979-5617, or pick up a schedule at city hall or the Iqaluit
recreation office at the new arena.
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