Paula White
Northern News Services

INUVIK (Jun 18/99) - One thing people around town won't be on June 18 is bored.

There will be something for everyone during this year's Midnight Madness celebration. The events start in the afternoon and don't end until well after midnight.

"It's an event that's been going for 10 years now," said recreation co-ordinator Yvonne Carpenter. "It's a celebration of the summer solstice."

Carpenter is the unofficial organizer of Midnight Madness. She explained that while Midnight Madness isn't promoted as an actual event every year, it is listed as one in the national Chase's Calendar of Events. She said every year, businesses and organizations organize their own events and the end result is Midnight Madness.

"Everybody just sort of comes together at the last minute," she said. "It always falls in place."

Carpenter said once everybody decides what they're doing, someone attempts to co-ordinate the events and draw up a schedule. This year it happens to be her.

"Where I've seen gaps I've tried to fill them with something," she explained. Carpenter added she also tried to make sure the events "don't compete with each other."

Some of the events include the Knights of Columbus Lobster Barbecue, Cops For Cancer, a rummage sale put on by the Inuvik Greenhouse Society, a family swim (the community pool officially opens), a Crazy Costume Contest sponsored by the Lion's Club and, of course, the Midnight Fun Run. There are also the retail sidewalk sales, not to mention the slo-pitch tournament which runs all weekend.

"Non-stop action all night. That's what I want to see," Carpenter said. "And groups around town are slowly filling in any time gaps that are there."

Midnight Madness features several regular events which occur year after year, such as the 5.5-kilometre Fun Run which begins at midnight. But there are almost always new events each year as well. This year's newcomers are the Cops For Cancer and the Crazy Costume Contest. Carpenter said last year, the half-marathon was added. It will go again this year, and will be a 20-kilometres run.

Inuvik town council recently approved a $500 donation toward Midnight Madness. Carpenter said it also gave town employees the afternoon off in recognition of both Midnight Madness and National Aboriginal Day, which is Monday, June 21.

"There's something for everyone. Hopefully the weather will co-operate because everything's being held outdoors."