Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Apr 26/00) - Spring fever is about to strike in a big way.

It's that time of year for the people of Rankin Inlet to kick up their heels and come together to celebrate their community.

The 2000 edition of Pakallak Tyme gets under way tomorrow, April 27, and runs until May 1.

The five-day event will feature everything from seal hunting to jigging and many other activities.

The grand opening will begin at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow evening at the Singiituq Complex.

This will be the first Pakallak Tyme for Rankin's new recreation co-ordinator, Johnny Tucktoo.

The schedule of events will appeal to both the old and the young at heart, and Tucktoo says the community really came together to work on the event.

"It was a bit slow for volunteers and whatnot at first, but as the event came closer it really started picking up," says Tucktoo.

"We had a good crowd of people out for our final meeting to volunteer to help with the various events, give us ideas and raise any concerns they might have and that was good to see."

Tucktoo says the corporate community came through once again to furnish an impressive prize list for the festival's many game winners.

WMC International was the biggest financial contributor to the event, with the Kivalliq Inuit Association also donating a generous amount.

Some of the donated prizes include two round-trip tickets to Winnipeg furnished by First Air, and two round-trip tickets donated by Canadian North to anywhere their route takes them.

M&T Enterprises Ltd. donated 45 gallons of gas, Umingmak Supply Ltd. donated a 16-foot qamutik, while both Skyward Aviation and Keewatin Air also donated substantial prize bundles.

Although many will be impressed with the prizes, Tucktoo says the purpose of Pakallak Tyme is to give people a chance to get together.

"The festival isn't about winning prizes. It's about coming together and celebrating as a community," says Tucktoo.

"Although it's nice to win prizes, Pakallak Tyme is all about having fun. That's the main idea."

Although Pakallak Tyme officially gets under way tomorrow, dog team races began yesterday and will continue tonight (Wednesday) and tomorrow night beginning at 5:30 p.m.