RANKIN INLET - Rankin Inlet danced the night away on Canada Day - literally. The square dance at the arena finally ended at 2 a.m., according to master of ceremonies John Ayaruaq.

"It was supposed to start at nine and it went on until two o'clock," he said.

Fifteen-month-old Delilah Palvialok is decked out on Canada Day in Rankin Inlet. - Kassina Ryder/NNSL photo

He said more than 20 local performers took turns entertaining the crowd before the band from Gjoa Haven took the stage.

"With all the performers and the Gjoa Haven band, the complex was full to capacity," he said.

There were also plenty of daytime activities around the community.

For Delsie Palvialok, one of the best things about Canada Day was the weather.

"The best part is it's nice out," she said. "It's windy so there are no bugs."

Palvialok was just one of the residents of Rankin Inlet who came out to celebrate the holiday, which began at 11 a.m. with a parade.

After the parade, local entertainers set up on the stage in front of the hamlet office and played all afternoon while the road in front of the hamlet office was blocked off from traffic to allow for games to be played such as an egg toss and tug of war.

Games weren't the only attraction. The Royal Canadian Legion gave out 1,200 hot dogs and about 150 litres of juice, according to hamlet SAO and legion president Paul Waye.

"It was a great turnout and fantastic weather," he said.

The great weather was exactly what Ayaruaq was worried about because it meant events would have to compete with the desire to go fishing, but he said he shouldn't have worried.

"There are a lot of char running, a lot of people are out fishing at this time of year, but a lot of people showed up anyway," he said. "I expected a lot less people, but a lot of people showed up."

Two homemade boat races were held during the afternoon, one of which required participants to actually attempt to sail across the lake behind the snow fence. Ernest Akerolik won first place and took home $200.