Yellowknife (Oct 13/06) - With Canadian Idol in mothballs for a few months, it's time to shine the spotlight on some Northern talent.

This Saturday, the fourth annual North of 60 Idol returns to the Royal Canadian Legion in Yellowknife.

Kaitlyn Denroche took the prize in the second-annual North of 60 Junior Idol contest, held at the sold-out Legion in Yellowknife last - NNSL file photo

Sixteen contestants will compete for a slew of prizes, including cash and a trip to Europe for the first place winner, and a Yamaha bass from Fiddles & Stix for the second place winner.

Last year, Bobbi Bouvier was the Idol winner, taking home a trip for two to Las Vegas and an NWT diamond, presented by Mayor Gord Van Tighem. Recently, a benefit was held for the popular singer at the Gold Range, raising more than $15,000 for her battle with transverse myelitis, a neurological disorder affecting the spinal cord.

The competition runs until Nov. 25, with semi-finals on Nov. 18. The show will be pre-empted, so to speak, twice along the way, as the Legion marks Remembrance Day Saturday, Nov. 11, and also for a "special event" Oct. 28.

"We're hosting a wedding that weekend," Lorne Power, Legion manager, said.

Plans are still in place to continue the two-year tradition of North of 60 Junior Idol, Power said. This April, Kaitlyn Denroche took first place, winning a diamond worth $1,000 and a slew of other prizes. "That won't be happening until the spring," Powers said.

"This year we're going to have a third place winner," Power said, who will receive a gold pendant with a diamond inset from T-Bo's Originals.

Nearly a half-decade in, Power said North of 60 Idols are in no danger of disappearing from Yellowknife's nightlife."We've been sold out for three years in a row, so we're anticipating we'll be sold out this year too."