Yellowknife (Mar 31/06) - A new queen and two princesses were crowned at the Caribou Carnival Capers during a night of song, dance and storytelling.

This is Susan Vogt, just before she was crowned Caribou Carnival Queen at the Top Knight last week. Vogt beat out seven competitors by selling more than 4,500 raffle tickets to raise money for the carnival. - Adam Johnson/NNSL photo

Each year, the carnival crowns the person, or persons, who sell the most raffle tickets to raise money for the carnival.

Kylie Tsetta and Trista Beck were both named carnival princesses in a tie - each girl sold exactly 3,000 tickets. Festival co-ordinator John Dalton said the number was “checked and re-checked,” until they were sure.

He said they were both given a trip for two to Edmonton for their efforts, as well as other prizes that haven’t been announced yet.

Susan Vogt was named Carnival queen, selling 4,560 tickets. She was awarded the caribou antler crown as last year’s queen, Lila Fraser Erasmus, looked on.

Afterwards, Vogt said she was excited her hard work had paid off, even though it wasn’t done yet.

She still had a series of appearances at the Caribou Carnival and Tree of Peace talent show ahead of her.

“I’ll be out and about all this weekend and then for a week I’ll sleep,” she said with a laugh.

While anyone, male or female, could contend for the crowns, the honour went to the person of either sex who sold the most tickets, said Capers co-ordinator Gail Cyr.

She said this was the first time in 51 years of the Caribou Carnival that the ballot included hopefuls for Queen, King, Prince and Princess.

The night also included the comic folk songs of Steve Lacey, stories and songs from master of ceremonies William Greenland, the sharp hip-hop of Aaron “Godson” Hernandez, and country band the Big River Ramblers, among others.

Carnival mascots Carnie and Carnella stayed in the thick of things, while the Caribou Cops were quick to intervene if enough fun was not being had. In all, Cyr said the night was a success, with good sound and a big crowd.

“I’m happy that we got permission to have this show here,” she said, referring to the liquor board’s decision to allow underage participants and audience members.

“But it was a little hot, I guess,” she said, shrugging away the unseasonable warmth.