ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD
Fort Liard residents recently celebrated the end of winter with a carnival that's made a comeback.
Scott Kotchea, left, Dylan Steeves and Brandon Hardisty react as Liam McLeod just misses catching an egg during the egg toss competition at Cabin Fever Days on May 11. - photo courtesy of Ollie Williams
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Two days of events were held on May 11 and 12 for Cabin Fever Days. The carnival used to be an annual event, but hasn't been held in a few years, said Janna Deneron, who helped organize many of the games along with her sister Hillary.
"Everybody was looking forward to it," she said.
A pancake breakfast cooked by Kathy and Sharon McLeod on the Saturday morning got Cabin Fever started. Games for all ages were then held beside the arbour.
Quite a few people came and went during the day, participating in and watching the games that included egg toss, tea boiling, tug of war, bannock making and an egg and spoon race, said Deneron.
For most of the events there were a few age groups for youth as well as an adults' division.
Bannock making was one of the highlights for the day, Deneron said. Teams of two had to start their own fire and then make and cook bannock in cast-iron frying pans.
Elder Mary Sassie acted as the judge, tasting all of the bannock.
"It was a lot of fun," said Deneron.
The husband and wife team of Larry and Albertine Bertrand won the competition. Everyone who stayed to watch the event also got a taste of bannock.
Barbecue draws crowd
Sunday's events began with a large barbecue of hotdogs, hamburgers and corn on the cob cooked by Hillary Deneron and Vincent Bertrand.
"The barbecue was the big draw," Janna said.
Many people then stayed to participate in log sawing and log toss
competitions along with archery and target shooting competitions organized by Roslyn Gardner Firth and Ollie Williams.
More than 40 people tried their hand at archery. Every hopeful Robin Hood was given six arrows and their score was determined by the total points they scored. Michael and William Sassie tied for first, winning the youth category, and scoring more points than Manny Vital, who won the adult category.
For target shooting, competitors had to shoot at targets using an air rifle before running around the arbour and then repeating the process.
A group of local musicians ended the carnival with an impromptu jam session at the arbour.
Overall Cabin Fever was a success although more volunteers will be needed if the carnival is to continue, said Janna.
"Everybody had a good time," she said.
