The dog derby has been a tradition for 48 years and the carnival for almost as long.

"The dog derby is the last weekend in March. It always has been and it always will be," said Kevin Rowe, organizer of the derby this year.

Rowe is not trying to be difficult he said, it's all a matter of scheduling. The championship dog circuit has another race in Alaska the second last weekend in March.

"If we moved ours forward we'd be cutting people out," said Rowe.

Bernie Bauhaus, past president of the Caribou Carnival committee, said they decided to move the carnival forward six months ago.

"We have been having warmer and warmer weather every year so we're trying to get it in a little sooner," he said.

As well, he said, there will be less conflict with the Easter holiday.

Bauhaus said the dog derby was informed of the change and he was told the derby would be moving dates as well.

"This comes as a surprise to me," said Bauhaus after being informed the carnival and the derby would be running on separate dates.

"We don't want that. It won't be good. I'm thinking it will cause quite a bit of commotion. It'll be detrimental to both organizations and to both events. They should go hand-in-hand."

Rowe was equally concerned, but believed the derby would be less impacted by the change.

"We complement Caribou Carnival and Caribou Carnival complements us," he said.

"Eight-five to 90 per cent, I am told, the reason they go to the carnival is the derby. Are people going to go down to pay for what is basically an enhanced food court?"

Rowe said he would hate to see the carnival suffer because of the date change.

"I hope they are making an informed decision," he said.