Cambridge Bay (June 09/03) - Reeling from the death of Brian Angohiatok, Cambridge Bay officials temporarily suspended the Omingmak Frolics festival, but later concluded it.

The 19-year-old was killed in a horrific snowmobile pile-up on Cambridge Bay May 19 during one of the festival races. He was buried on May 22.

Two days after the accident, on May 21, social services were called in to give a critical briefing in the community to help people deal with the trauma, according to the mayor of Cambridge Bay, Keith Peterson.

After much deliberation by organizers, Frolics events went on and completed May 28.

"We felt that was important to finish up," said Peterson.

"We decided to dedicate 2003 Frolics to the memory of Brian Angohiatok," he added.

Events to conclude the spring festival included "Fright Factor," where contestants dare to consume repulsive, smelly concoctions, and the crowning of a Frolics king, queen, prince and princess.

Strong-willed Jack Kupeana Jr. drank six glasses of muktuk milkshake (whale blubber) and ate six Arctic char eyeballs to snag the first place prize of $5,000 in Fright Factor.

And the crowned royalty were Sammy Avalak as king, Gwen Tikhat as queen, Donald Wilcox as prince, and Donna Tikhat as princess.

The Snowmobile Club may consider organizing a race in memory of Angohiatok in the future, Peterson said.