Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 25/05) - With Caribou Carnival just four months away, organizers for Yellowknife's oldest spring-time festival are lurching into action.

The organization met Thursday night in their office across from the Yellowknife Public Library, in the hopes of drumming up interest for the carnival, which is set to run from March 24-26.

"We will be looking for new ideas," said Don Helfrick, who is one of three board members. "We will see what the public says."

The carnival has been dogged in past years with last-minute changes and in 2003 suffered through a scaled down, one-day event. The carnival bounced back in 2005 for its 50th anniversary and promoters predicated another strong year in 2006.

The carnival is still looking for board members and volunteers and does not have any sponsors lined up, though. Helfrick hoped organizers would set a date for their annual general meeting at the gathering Thursday.

"We will see what the public has to say," Helfrick said.

Last year, the carnival hired a site co-ordinator, Carol Van Tighem, to oversee the event. However, Van Tighem said she has not heard from organizers despite the fact the carnival is only 16 weeks away.

"Don't even go there," Van Tighem said Wednesday with a laugh.

She said she had "no idea" where organizers were in their planning.

Helfrick said it is too early for the board to discuss what events might take place at the 51st annual carnival, which usually happens on Frame Lake, between City Hall and the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.

"The board is working on a number of particular items, but nothing we can go public with."

Some of the events last year included an ugly truck pageant, hand games and snow golf to go along with dozens of vendor stalls.

Finding enough volunteers for the carnival can be a challenge, Helfrick said.

"Volunteerism is a big part of what makes (festivals) run."

The carnival is in a stable position financially, Helfrick said, though he shied away from specifics. "We're not in a hole," he said.