The annual street party, traditionally held on the Friday of the summer solstice for more than 30 years, was an opportunity for shops and vendors to set-up and sell their merchandise, while games, activities and live music brought a festival feel to the downtown core.

The sights at Raven Mad Daze used to include the likes of Sam Krysko, who attended the street party on his unicycle in 2006 – the last year the event was in full swing. Raven Mad Daze no longer has an organizer and will be on the shelf again for the third year in a row. - NNSL file photo

Former organizer Lisa Tesar said she is no longer involved with Raven Mad Daze and the event is without an organizer.

The last time the party was held downtown was in 2006. The following year Tesar merged Raven Mad Daze with the Summer Solstice Festival, held at Somba K'e Park.

Tesar declined to comment about the now defunct street party.

Kerry Yamkowy, owner of Sasha's Jewellery Store, is upset over the lack of initiative on part of the mayor and city council for letting an event like Mad Daze fall apart.

"I think we need a new mayor," she said.

"It's a city project, it's for the mayor to develop the economic situation in Yellowknife, and to do away with an event that bring people out is pretty poor."

She said the priorities of council need to be changed and more effort focused on promoting Yellowknife businesses during a time of economic uncertainty.

"They make a park and spend how many millions of dollars? Well, that doesn't help sell anything downtown or anywhere in town," she said.

Yamkowy thinks the city should run the event and put money into keeping the tradition going.

"It is an important event," said the long-time Yellowknife retailer.

"It used to be a big deal here, but now it's nothing. My kids really enjoyed it when they were younger and people really looked forward to it and now there is nothing."

Van Tighem said Raven Mad Daze has always been a Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce event up right up until a five-year contract with Tesar ran out two years ago. He said the city's involvement only went as far as providing road barriers, municipal enforcement and stages.

"It's a chamber of commerce event and always has been," said Van Tighem, adding the chamber has gone through some re-organization the past few years and that might have something to do with the festival's decline.

"The event has always been provided contractually through the chamber and in the past they've hired a co-ordinator and let them run the thing.

"There is also so many other things right now. It may regenerate someday."

Ellie Sasseville, executive director of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, said while her organization used to organize the event it's impossible to do it now because of her small office staff, which consists of herself and one part-time employee.

"We are involved in the marketing side of things, but we haven't been part of the formal organization for some time," said Sasseville.

The mayor speculated that divisions between downtown chamber members who could capitalize on Raven Made Daze's close proximity and those from the suburbs who cannot might have become an issue.

"We've possibly evolved as a city beyond the event but the future will tell us," said Van Tighem. Barb Kardash, organizer of the Yellowknife 75th anniversary homecoming, said she has mixed feelings about the loss of Raven Mad Daze.

"From walking around and taking my kids, it was fun to do," she said.

"I certainly would love to see it happen. I would like to see it come back but I don't know how it can be done to meet all the merchants' different needs."

Kardash said the homecoming committee tried to fill a little bit of the gap left by the event's demise by promoting "Raven Mad Sales."

Kardash said she believes merchants may stay open later during the two-week long homecoming, but not many them will keep their doors open until midnight as traditionally done during Raven Mad Daze.

"I understand from a merchant's point of view that they don't want to have their employees out until midnight and their doors locked," she said, adding Quality Furniture is planning on having a merchandise tent set up.

"I'd like to see something more along the lines of three streets open and music at both ends and vendors out, but it's all about making it work for everyone."

Tesar did say with funding now available, the 2009 Summer Solstice Festival will kick off June 20 and run over a two and a half week period until July 7, coinciding with Yk75. She said their website was currently being updated and more information would be made available as soon as it was ready.