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Muskrat Jamboree countdown is on
Final touches being made for spring welcoming event
Katherine Hudson Northern News Services Published Thursday, March 1, 2012
The 55th annual Muskrat Jamboree is set to swing into action on March 30 with a huge feast in the Roy "Sugloo" Ipana Memorial Arena – a space that can hold the hundreds of people who attend the annual celebration. "We start out with a feast. We get everybody all fed and play lots of crazy games and then we're out on the river all weekend," said Gerry Kisoun, chair of the committee. Kisoun said the committee is still looking for some more cooks to lend a helping hand with the big feast. It'll be easier to get to the jamboree this year too because Canadian North is offering a seat sale starting March 14 for travel between March 28 and April 3. New events this year include tug of war and an oval snowmobile race on Sunday and a trapper skills event on Monday. Rules for the trapper skills event include getting wood, making a fire, chiseling ice, making tea and bannock, and skinning and stretching a muskrat. The winner will be decided by three judges from the crowd and will be based on the taste and quality of the bannock, and the time it took to complete the challenge. Sandra Ipana, treasurer of the Muskrat Jamboree Committee, has been doing her part in organizing the jamboree for almost 30 years. She said it wasn't always a huge event, and it actually lost steam in the early 1980s before getting its second wind. "We used to have all the events at Ingamo Hall, like the Old Time Dances, and it just got too small," she said. "It's been growing ever since," said Kisoun. The Old Time Dance this year will be on Saturday at the arena. Some of the old faithful events still hold their place in the weekend festivities such as pancake breakfasts, the plank walk, log sawing, foot races, jigging contest, dog team races, harpoon throw and talent show. There are seven pairs in the running for this year's titles of King and Queen of the Muskrat Jamboree. Bernice Furlong, a director of the committee, said this year there is a surprise in store for the king and queen, but could not say any more. Justin Collison, 16, is the youngest member of the committee. He has been a part of organizing the jamboree since he was 11 years old. "We have to train a president for the future," joked Furlong. Collison said he joined because his parents were part of the committee and now he's hooked on planning events and watching all the events unfold. The festivities will run from March 30 to April 2 and is dedicated to cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. The jamboree started in 1956 as a way to welcome the hunters and trappers back after a long winter season.
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