Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, September 26, 2007

ARVIAT - There were smiles everywhere to be seen during the Hamlet of Arviat's 30th anniversary Hamlet Days celebration earlier this month.

Arviat recreation coordinator Damian MacInnis presents Kristi Kablutsiak with a new 400 Arctic Cat ATV 4 x 4 after Kablutsiak's ticket was drawn for the grand prize during Arviat's 30th anniversary celebrations earlier this month. - photo courtesy of the Hamlet of Arviat

The five-day celebration featured a number of games and events for kids of all ages, as well as lots of tasty goodies, good music and great prizes.

Highlights of the event included a community dance, which featured a band brought up from the south, the crowning of Miss Arviat, and the awarding of a brand new Honda 4 x 4 during a special ticket draw.

Hamlet recreation co-ordinator Damian MacInnis said there was plenty of pride evident as residents came out to celebrate their community's 30th birthday.

He said having the heads of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and Liberal MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell in town for the event helped make it all that much more special.

"There was a really large crowd out for the opening ceremonies and you could tell everyone was taking pride in the occasion," said MacInnis.

"Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun at the different games and events and, of course, the giant $10,000 bingo is always hugely popular in the community."

MacInnis said the only damper on the celebration was that difficulty with scheduling and accommodations led to the guest musicians arriving in town later than expected.

He said the change of scheduling adversely affected the turnout for the event.

"They were supposed to play on a Saturday night, but, because of the unforeseen problems we had getting them in, the dance had to held on a Monday night.

"That, of course, led to it being attended by far fewer people than if it had been on the Saturday.

"It's too bad because the female lead singer in the band had a beautiful voice.

"Other than that, the event went extremely well and the hamlet celebrated its 30th birthday in style."