Laura Power
Northern News Services
Published Friday, September 28, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The Festival of the Midnight Sun happened quietly this past Friday.

It's not as big as it used to be, and as Pamela Murray - one of two board members on the society - explained, attendance was down due to a combination of factors.

Norm Glowach performed with Priscilla's Revenge on Friday, Sept. 21, at Northern United Place for Festival of the Midnight Sun. - Laura Power/NNSL photo

"Basically funding sources started to dry up," she said, and also explained that because of insurance problems and a bookkeeping error, the festival went over budget a few years ago. "It was a whole lot of little problems - and big problems - that kind of accumulated."

She said that in the past, the festival was not only larger with an art day camp for kids, competitions and mural sponsorships, but it was held earlier in the summer. This year, the festival whose name suggests that it takes place around the summer solstice took place in the fall.

"With climate change, we couldn't count on a sunny day in the summer anymore," said Murray. "We just decided to move it indoors and not worry about contingency plans."

However, she said the date seems like a good one to her.

"It's kind of like trying to keep the sun around a little longer," she said.

The organization has also dwindled, with only two board members remaining including Murray and her husband, John Murray.

Despite the shrinking of the festival in recent years, Murray considered Friday's event a success. Along with some live music by acts such as Priscilla's Revenge, there was a craft sale and later in the evening, a film screening by Western Arctic Moving Pictures and pizza.

"People really stuck around for the whole evening. It was really nice," she said.

She also said they had more tables at the craft sale than in previous years because they collaborated with The Centre For Northern Families, for whom the sales were a fundraiser.

Caitlin Lacey of the centre said the event raised nearly $500 for the women's shelter. She said though it won't pay for much, it will help pay for food and personal items such as shampoo.

"I think the intent of the event is for fun, but is also for positive image in the community for the centre," she said.

Murray said she is hopeful that at the next annual general meeting, the board will grow to about five members, increasing the chances of expanding next year's event.

"I think we'll be able to expand the board members and have input from different people," she said.