Daniel T'seleie
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 26/04) - All you strays won't want to miss the events planned for this year's Caribou Carnival.

But first: there are two important changes to the schedule. The fireworks show -- advertised for Friday night -- has been moved to Saturday night at 9 p.m. Sunday will be a fall-back if weather interrupts.

"Historically they've always been on Saturday," said Gail Cyr organizer of Capers and long time Yellowknife resident. Carnival organizers would like to stick to tradition. Secondly, Somba K'e Park events have been moved to Frame Lake.

Now that's cleared away, here are some tips on where the herd will be this weekend.

FRIDAY

- Corporate Challenge - - Yellowknife companies compete on Frame Lake in the Corporate Challenge to determine which business is better than the rest. The games begin in the Wild Zone on Frame Lake at 1 p.m.

- Cultural Events - - Traditional Hand Games will be at Caribou Carnival for the first time in the Cultural Tent beginning at noon.

Drumming ceremonies, plenty of arts, crafts and traditional events will celebrate the culture of this great region.

- Big Air Snowboarding - - The daily competition begins at 1 p.m. on Frame Lake near the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.

- Hockey - - Back to the roots! The launch of the Caribou Cup Pond Hockey Tournament is scheduled for Friday afternoon. Come down and watch the North's newest annual hockey championships.

- Masters Competition - - The launch of the new Arctic Masters Competition sees five events held all weekend long to challenge older Northerners to become the Master of the Arctic of 2004.

- Canadian Championship Dog Derby - - Beginning at 1 p.m., watch the top sled dog teams in Canada take their best run at a national championship.

SATURDAY

- Pancakes - - This year's pancake breakfast at the Northern United Place begins at 10 a.m. and lasts until noon. The fun begins on the ice at noon, but come early to watch the Extreme Racing team warm up for the day's events.

- Extreme Racing - - An action-packed schedule of extreme drag racing and snowcross will begin roaring at 11 a.m. on Frame Lake near City Hall.

- Big Air Snowboarding - - The daily competition begins at 1 p.m. on Frame Lake near the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.

- Canadian Championship Dog Derby - - Starting at 1 p.m., watch the top sled dog teams in Canada take their best run at a national championship.

- Candy Drop - - Weather permitting, Adlair Aviation will drop candy from the sky at 2 p.m. over a target near the Caribou Carnival site. Candy fans won't want to miss this one!

- Ryfan Breakaway Competition - - Each team in the Caribou Cup Pond Hockey Championships will enter a player to compete in the Ryfan Breakaway Contest.

The shootout begins at 2 p.m. on the hockey rink.

- Much Music Teen Video Dance - - The ultimate dance party is at the DND Gym in Multiplex from 6 p.m. to midnight. For more information about tickets contact Caribou Carnival Herdquarters at 873-9698.

SUNDAY

- Extreme Racing - - More drag racing and snowcross roaring at 11 a.m. on Frame Lake near City Hall.

- Big Air Snowboarding - - The daily competition continues at 1 p.m. on Frame Lake near the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.

- Ugly Parade - - The MIX 100 Ugly Dog and Truck Contest registration will be on 51st Street between the Shirt Shack and Diavik Building on Sunday at noon.

Dogs and trucks will be on display at the registration site until 2 p.m.

Then the World's Ugliest Parade starts up and goes to the City Hall parking lot where the judging will take place.

- Canadian Championship Dog Derby - - Come to Frame Lake at 1 p.m. to watch the top sled dog teams in Canada take their best run at a national championship.

- Candy Drop - - Weather permitting, Adlair Aviation will drop candy from the sky at 2 p.m. over a target near the Caribou Carnival site.

- McDonald's Cup Junior Pond Hockey Finals - - Like the big boys' game, this is for the juniors: at 1 p.m. on the outdoor rink.

- Caribou Cup Pond Hockey Finals - - The biggest outdoor hockey game of the year is decided at 3 p.m. on the outdoor rink.

- Quest For The Crown Draw - - Nearly $10,000 in loot will be up for grabs in the Quest for the Crown Draw, which will be held on the Snowstage at 4 p.m.