Yellowknife (Oct 01/04) - Back for another round starting Saturday is the Elks Club's version of Fear Factor.

Organizer Dave Hurley said being a Fear Factor contestant is a different challenge from being in North of 60 Idol.

Tanya McLeod fishes for plastic toys in a container of bloodworms, krill and eyeballs at the Elks Fear Factor in May. - NNSL file photo

"This is something you can't practise for," said Hurley. "At least, I wouldn't want to."

Hurley and the Elks invent the challenges contestants must tackle. Some of the more memorable events they came up last time were bobbing for things in vats of blood, spitting frozen rats at a garbage can and drinking tongue smoothies.

But those challenges couldn't have been inspired by gross-out stunts on TV's Fear Factor. Hurley hasn't actually seen it.

"One of these days I really have to watch the show," he said.

Hurley said contestants will be facing all new challenges Saturday night at 8 p.m. and only one contestant from the first round is returning for another try. He expects a number of last minute registrations as friends dare each other to enter the contest.

This time around there will be a few changes.

"We learned a lot from the first time," said Hurley.

Though still scary and gross, the Elks are respecting a request by the NWT SPCA that none of the challenges involve animals. Also, the events will be held on the stage in the downstairs club room, instead of in the upstairs hall.

This will allow organizers to put the big screen TV to use, broadcasting live close-ups of each contestant's fearsome event.

After Oct. 2, Fear Factor nights will be every two weeks, giving organizers time to invent, safety check and get the required elements for the challenges.

First prize is a trip for two anywhere Canadian North flies.