YELLOWKNIFE - Caribou Carnival organizers admit that some carnivals in recent years were not the best. This year however, they say, is the start of a slow progression to a world-class winter event.

To demonstrate their newfound confidence, they're announcing some world class prizes for one of the carnival's flagship contests.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem displays his recently purchased Caribou Carnival button - the very first sold - with Don Finnamore, president of the carnival association and participant in the festival's beard growing competition. - Erika Sherk/NNSL photo

Wannabe royalty need to get going if they want to win the Caribou Carnival crown this year. Competition should be fierce - the prizes include a gem worthy of a king or queen.

Winning the royal titles of the carnival doesn't require blue blood, however. The crowns go to those who sell the most raffle tickets by March 21 - to a king or queen, and prince or princess.

The carnival, which has been running since 1955 is a three-day winter extravaganza of contests, talent shows, food, and music. Adding to the purse, Polar Diamonds has donated a one-karat diamond to the carnival's Quest for the Crown contest, said Grant Pryznyk, coordinator of this year's Caribou Carnival.

"It's basically the largest contestant prize package ever," said Pryznyk. "It's worth thousands of dollars."

The prizes certainly are fit for a king (or queen!), with round-trip tickets to Edmonton, the one-karat diamond, and a ring setting for the diamond designed by Originals by T-BO.

There are two categories for the royalty: the king or queen category (19+) and the prince and princess category (6-18) .

The winner of each category will receive two round-trip tickets to Edmonton, donated by First Air, said Pryznyk.

The diamond, however, is for the second part of the contest. The crowns are presented on March 22nd but people have three days after that to keep selling tickets to try and sell the most overall, even if they didn't win a crown. The diamond will be awarded after the final portion of the raffle ticket drive ends March 25.

The tickets themselves are for raffle prizes, seven of them all together, said Pryznyk. The prizes range from a flight, hotel, and spending money package in Edmonton to an Eli Nasogaluak carving, said Pryznyk. At $2 a ticket, there are 50,000 of them for sale.

"We hope to sell them all," said Pryznyk.

The cream of the hardworking raffle-selling crop will be crowned at the Coronation Ceremony, held at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC). The ceremony is part of Caribou Capers, the carnival's big talent show.

Other additions are in the planning stages for the carnival as well, including a snow sculpture contest, an extreme off-road driving competition, and a fireworks show.

The carnival runs from March 23 to 25.