SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The fun and excitement of the annual Old Town Ramble and Ride festival was dampened for some people who chose to drive to the event.

City bylaw officers were out ticketing vehicles parked illegally. But organizers are suggesting some misunderstandings between them and the city are to blame.

"It's a matter of communication," said Brent Reaney, one of the chief organizers. "We wish there had been better communication between the city and us."

Jenn Pott was one such unlucky citizen. Pott narrowly escaped having her vehicle towed after parking it partially on the sidewalk across the street from the arts market.

The organizers had told her to park "wherever" and she thought her vehicle was fine where it was.

"I knew not to park where there were 'no parking' signs," she said.

Told that cars were being towed, Pott left her booth where she had been selling paintings and raced back to find a bylaw officer who said women with strollers were unable to get by on the sidewalk.

"I was very close to being towed. I made it back just in time, but they gave me no warning," she said, adding an announcement could have been made over the loudspeakers to solve the problem.

The city's municipal enforcement division reported that 13 parking tickets were issued, but fire chief Darcy Hernblad, the acting manager for the bylaw division, declined further comment.

D.J.'s Towing said it towed four vehicles for the city, all on Saturday. The cost of towing and impoundment is $100.

People attending the event were encouraged to walk or bicycle to Old Town, and the city offered free bus service. But Pott said she was forced to drive in order to bring her paintings to sell.

Reaney said city concerns such as emergency vehicle access are legitimate and should be considered.

"I understand the city's concern," he said. "We're not necessarily upset.

"We're happy the city supports us financially."

He added the event was the most successful Ramble and Ride ever, perhaps evident in the amount of congestion and traffic.

"One way to interpret it would be as a sign of success," he said.

That's not Pott's view: she saved her car but still wound up with a $40 ticket.

"I think it was really unfortunate, it ruined the whole feel of the [event]. It's a place for people to meet, to enjoy yourself," she said. "I wish it was handled better."

Parking and traffic issues will be a focus for planning in the future, said Reaney.

"We hope we can talk with the city more and co-ordinate," he said. "As you grow, you have to find ways to deal with this [problem]."

We welcome your opinions. Click to e-mail a letter to the editor.