Yellowknife (Jul 07/06) - In every competition, reputations are made, legends are born and a hero will rise.

And then there's Music in the Park. The annual competition wrapped up three weeks of music from Yellowknife performers of all shapes and sizes this weekend outside City Hall, part of Yellowknife's Canada Day celebrations.

Rock trio the Greasy Twigs took the top prize: 10 hours of recording time and a completed demo from Yellowknife's Spiritwalker Productions.

"I'm really glad that we get to have a slab of material now, something solid," said vocalist/guitarist Bryce Styan.

Rounding out the trio were pianist Brendan Callas and drummer Walter Girrior, who together created flowing, melodic rock music.

Second place went to radio-friendly rock/punk act Westervert, who took home a $300 gift certificate to Fiddles 'n Stix. "Now we can replace some of our broken equipment," said guitarist Tam di Pizzo.

Other competitors in the final round were hard-rock cover band Hindsite, singer/songwriter Mary Cox, acoustic quartet Bear Bones and rock trio Grandmother's Garden.

Singer/guitarist Chris Hardy (Grandmother's Garden) dedicated his first song to his wife Leigh Clements, who is on her way home from a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the Canadian Armed Forces. "This next one is just for me," he said jokingly of his second song.

A surprising show-stealer was Hindsite vocalist Steve Smith, who pulled out some 80s arena moves with his mic stand to the Tragically Hip's "New Orleans in Sinking."

Smith had opened up the show with selections from his soon-to-be-released solo CD, Beaches to Barrens (which he will promote at this year's Folk on the Rocks).

Lacking his usual electric guitar, Smith said he wasn't quite sure what to do with himself onstage.

"The guys said, 'Just cut loose and do it,'" he explained.

The prizes were awarded onstage by Spiritwalker Productions owner Norm Glowach.

"I've been watching these kids for the last seven to 10 years, and it's nice to see them developing into competent young musicians."