Coral Harbour (Aug 30/06) - All eyes were on the skies and water in Coral Harbour last week.

The community celebrated Hamlet Days Aug. 15-17, and organizers are thrilled with the result.

One of the most popular events was the kite flying competition. Residents of all ages created their own flying machines - with the more aerially challenged kites all the more popular with the crowd.

Douglas Paneolik won first place with his handmade kite "Sky High," which lived up to its name, gaining the highest altitude of all the creations.

Loretta Pee placed second with her effort.

Her kite had trouble saying aloft, but she received praise from recreation director Casey Paniyuk.

"She made it herself, and it was a nice kite. It was flying lazily, the ends were flopping together," said Paniyuk.

Umiangaq - a traditional Inuit boat - racing was another crowd favourite.

Paniyuk said that the largest crowds of the weekend were for the relay race that started with the boats.

"The men sailed across the lake, and had to cross to another lake," said Paniyuk. "They had to drag the boat across to the other lake."

Following the umiangaq leg of the race, the men tagged off to women on bicycles, who continued the race.

The women on wheels continued the relay, handing off to youth who ran the last leg of the race.

People packed the hamlet hall for the indoor competitions. Those involving costumes, pudding eating and midgets were all well attended.

For those who haven't been to Hamlet Days, the midget contest is where people on their knees wear clothes to look like they are only three feet tall.

Some shoes under the knees complete the illusion. Mary-Ann Nakoolak was the winner of the diminutive derby.

Hamlet Days were the highlight of the summer, but early fall is bringing more competition to Coral Harbour.

The Nunavut Junior Slow Pitch Championship will be held there Sept. 1-3.