Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Dec 02/05) - Yellowknife's SnowKing wants to expand his realm to encompass the rest of the city.

"We want to show the world that Yellowknife is indeed a winter city," said Anthony Foliot, a.k.a. the SnowKing.

The SnowKing hard at work last year cutting blocks of snow for his castle. - NNSL file photo

Foliot is calling all young royalty wannabees to show their stuff in the Great Northern Castle competition as part of the 11th SnowKing festival.

"These kids have got it in them, I know it," Foliot said.

Children have been building forts and castles around the city by themselves and now they have an opportunity for fame and glory, said Foliot.

Teams with at least one person under 18 are encouraged to build a snow structure on their front lawn. For incentive there are cash prizes of $500, $250 and $100 for first, second and third places.

The idea for the competition came from Foliot reminiscing about his childhood when children on either side of a street would build competing snow forts and snowball fights would ensue.

"I'm trying to get more and more people to enjoy winter," he said.

Teams have to register by the end of January.

Judging by the SnowKing and architects will take place near the end of February, right before the opening ceremonies for the SnowKing festival on March 3.

"Just have fun and use your imagination," said Gino Pin an architect with Pin/Taylor Architects, the firm donating the prize money.

Creativity, style and imagination will be important to the judges, said Foliot.

"I might get a few ideas," he said with a laugh.

Without giving away any of his own secrets, Foliot said that if you pile fluffy snow and let it sit for a day it will be good for building.

"Who knows, maybe it will become a giant city of snow castles everywhere," he said.