Yellowknife (Oct 22/04) - With the 50th anniversary of Caribou Carnival just five months away, newly-elected president Pat McMahon said organizers are beginning to line-up volunteers and prepare a budget for the city's oldest annual festival.

"Things are starting to move," said McMahon, who was elected Tuesday night during a general meeting at the Yellowknife Visitor's Centre.

Members also nominated eight directors for the organization's nine-member board, which is expected to be formally announced after a meeting next week.

The gathering was in stark contrast to the organization's annual general meeting in late September, when nominations for the board went unheeded.

"I think people realize the carnival is approaching," said McMahon. "There was a desire to get things rolling."

McMahon expects the board to meet within the next week to discuss the carnival's budget and fundraising initiatives.

The organization has paid off a $600 debt from last year's carnival and is now looking to raise the roughly $100,000 necessary for this year's event, said McMahon. But several details still need to be ironed out. The exact date of the carnival is up in the air, though McMahon said it would take place in late March.

Due to a scheduling conflict, organizers said the carnival will not take place on the same weekend as the Yellowknife Dog Derby.

The two events were traditionally held at the same time.

McMahon said the organizers aren't feeling any additional pressure with the 50th anniversary of the festival looming.

"You always want the festival to be the best it can be," she said. "This year isn't any different."