Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

NNSL (July 09/99) - As summer festivals loom on the Yellowknife horizon, area businesses and artists are getting into the act to help out.

Donations for organizers to give away as prizes to contest winners are one way businesses are helping out, says Festival of the Midnight Sun co-ordinator Kora Smith.

For example, Marlin Travel is donating prize gift bags while Mack Travel is helping out by donating office space.

"Alley art is one of the contests where people will paint dumpsters," Smith says of a Midnight Sun festival event running July 9 through 16.

"They help beautify the city and leave a lasting impression for people."

Solo art exhibitions will take place throughout the Midnight Sun festival, including Ann Timmins' acrylic paintings which are set to be displayed at Javaroma.

Other eateries showing art include the Prospector Bar and Grill, Giorgio's Italian Restaurant Lounge and Bar and the Office Dining Lounge.

Aside from drawing customers to see art while they eat, the festivals also draw tourists.

"There are two seniors groups coming that I know of. One of them is from Edmonton," Smith says.

"They aren't just coming up here for the Midnight Sun festival but they will see some of the events."

Similarly, Nadira Begg who is active signing volunteers up for Folk on the Rocks says she has had a few phone inquiries from prospective tourists from B.C. and Alberta about when the festival is happening.

"I get the sense Folk on the Rocks is a big tourist draw," says the festival's director Jodi Woollam.

"This year we're going to do a market survey."

She says the way summer festivals stimulate Yellowknife's summer economy is twofold.

First, for bands, Woollam says Folk on the Rocks is "one of the coolest gigs to play."

Secondly, many tourists want to go somewhere for something unique -- something Folk on the Rocks provides.