Welcoming the return of the sun
Inuvik celebrates first sunrise of the year with annual festival
Elaine Anselmi
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 19, 2015
INUVIK
The Inuvik Sunrise Festival continues to grow, offering more to the people of Inuvik and an increasing number of visitors from outside the community.
The gym at East Three school was filled with people dining on a range of foods served up by local chefs.
The Inuvik Drummers and Dancers took the stage following A Taste of Inuvik, calling up community members and special guest Justin Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. The Inuvik Jiggers also put on a show before everyone got up for an old-time dance.
The fun continued on Saturday with a pancake breakfast, Arctic market, lantern-making class, and a snowmobile parade, all while a slew of snow carvers worked under a bright red sky.
Boot Lake was the site of an Ice Road Village, where igloos and ice thrown among other structures were a perfect playground for all ages. This year, the city contracted Kylik Kisoun Taylor of Up North Tours to build Boot Lake's infrastructure, with the help of many volunteers including Mayor Floyd Roland.
A massive bonfire built and monitored by the Inuvik Fire Department kept the crowd warm on Saturday night while an impressive firework display lit up the sky. A blues concert ended the night at the Igloo Church, with celebrated musician James Byrnes and special guest Abe Drennan.
Visitors from Alberta and B.C. flew up for the event, participating in the rich offering of festivities, also heading out on dogsledding trips and taking in the sights of the region.
One of the stars of the Inuvik Santa Claus parade, Addjub the reindeer, was out again on Boot Lake on Jan. 11, along with a team of huskies from Arctic Adventure Tours. Hot beverages and breakfast were served up at the Ice Road Cafe by Tasty Craving & Whipped Dreams.
It was a busy weekend in town, with no shortage of places to be and new people to meet.
