Darrrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Jun 13/01) - Preparations for the huge Jammin' on the Bay music festival this Labour Day weekend in Rankin Inlet are in high gear.
June 18 is the day organizers expect to release the list of headlining artists and the officially launch the Jammin' on the Bay Web site.
Festival organizer Jim Ramsay says the Itivia site for the festival has been secured and a full line of merchandise promoting the event is already up for grabs.
There are a total of 21 items available, ranging from leather caps, jean jackets and sweat suits to golf shirts, fanny packs and seat cushions.
"I'm quite happy with where we've progressed to this point," says Ramsay. "Everybody's really stepped up to bat, our volunteer committees, the media, sponsors, and the business community and various organizations.
He adds that they have received numerous requests for our advertising and sponsorship packages from interested corporations.
"Construction on the site will begin in a couple of weeks and that's going to be an exciting time."
Ramsay says he's looking forward to unveiling the Web site, which he says visitors will find informative and entertaining.
"When people log onto our Web site they'll see our official logo, bios on the performing artists, the concert site, Jammin' on the Bay merchandise, our sponsors, tour package prices and a number of other interesting items."
Nunavut Tunngavik president Paul Quassa says he was quite impressed with the demonstration given by the Jammin' on the Bay committee during NTI's recent board meeting in Rankin Inlet.
NTI is currently reviewing the festival committee's request for funding and expects to make a significant announcement is this week.
Quassa says the Jammin' on the Bay festival presents another opportunity for Inuit in the Kivalliq and the host community to show their talents, traditions, culture and achievements.
"This festival is something I would like to see become an annual event," says Quassa.
"It will certainly promote Nunavut and our various communities, and NTI is always there to support these type of activities because they promote Inuit culture and the talents we have up here.
"With all the talents coming to Rankin to perform in this festival, we'd like to see our people enjoy these types of events which are normal down south, but are still rare in the North."
