Yellowknife (Sep 29/04) - Broke and without a board of directors, Caribou Carnival's 50th anniversary festival hangs in the balance.

Carnival members met last Thursday, but no one stood for the board of directors and an auditor said the association has a $600 debt from the 2004 festival.

Outgoing Caribou Carnival president Ellie Sasseville says she's ready to help a new board of directors organize the 50th anniversary event. No one stood for the board of directors during the association's annual general meeting last week. - NNSL file photo

Despite that, many carnival members and businesses say there's still time to organize the March 18-20, 2005 festival.

According to accountant Charles Jeffries, the 2005 carnival will require $100,000 to run as effectively as it did last year.

Jeffries also reported that financial information hasn't been maintained in an organized fashion.

He also said there is more than $6,000 in unidentified cheque disbursements.

"The carnival relies on donations and fundraising, which is unstable," said Jeffries. "It needs a stable revenue."

Outgoing board president Ellie Sasseville said she isn't worried about the future.

"So we came up short $600. In my mind, that is a success," she said. "Insurance and marketing expenses have gone up and there are always new costs that arise."

Association member Gisele Forget said she was not pleased with the finances.

"It's not impressive to me and we should not have a deficit from last year," she said.

"The carnival has been running for 49 years and you would think we would get the picture right by now."

When the time came to elect a new president and board, no one stepped forward.

Sasseville suggested advertising for new board members who would receive guidance and training from their predecessors.

"I am willing to attend the new board meetings in an advisory capacity," said Sasseville.

The board hopes to have new members within a month so that planning and fundraising can begin as soon as possible.

"We are on an up-swing now and need to keep the momentum going," said Sasseville.

"We had a very successful carnival last year and this year we just need to lay the foundation to keep it going. We need to build a stronger board for anyone who steps into our positions so they don't end up starting from scratch."

Formal carnival director Matthew Grogono said there's still time to get the festival together.

"They're beginning early in the year and that's phenomenal. As long as they get the membership, it should be an excellent event," he said.

The first vice-president of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce says Caribou Carnival is important for this city.

"The Chamber was involved long ago and we would like it to see it continue," said Steven Meister.

"The carnival is coming up to its 50th anniversary and we'll assist wherever we can, and I would like to challenge other organizations and businesses in Yellowknife to do the same."

The fledgling Yellowknife Aurora Festival (YAF) hopes to help.

YAF marketing director James Puglsey plans to hold a meeting with the Carnival Association Oct. 18 to plan how the two groups can work together.

"This would strengthen both events and offer new benefits to the community," said Pugsley.

First Air is ready to do its part.

"We want to make this year the impressive celebration that it should be," Kim Poulter, association member and First Air representative, said last Thursday.

She said the airline is willing to support the Carnival's 50th year by flying in a special attraction.

"This year should be grander and better and should create a big bang," said Poulter.

-- With a file from Stephan Burnett