Jessica Klinkenberg
Northern News Services
Friday, May 04, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Raven Mad Daze is missing from event calendars and no one is saying why - although it appears that no-one is stepping forward to organize the annual celebration.

Typically held on the Friday after the June 21 Summer Solstice, Raven Mad sees thousands of people gather on Franklin Avenue for an evening of food, fun and music.

Lisa Tesar, organizer of the Yellowknife Solstice Festival and who has been in charge of Raven Mad for the past couple of years, said she wouldn't speak about the event without first discussing it with City Hall.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said he isn't certain if the festival will continue.

"I talked to the guys downstairs (in City Hall) and they said they haven't received any requests for equipment or road closures," he said.

Van Tighem said that he's been trying to speak to someone who may know more, but said last year's organizer, Tesar, had not returned his call at press time.

He said he also spoke with the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, which said it has nothing for Raven Mad Daze.

Chamber president Jim Eirikson said it would be a shame to cancel the event because so many people look forward to it.

"It's a good opportunity for businesses downtown," he said.

Raven Mad Daze has changed over the years, and John Dalton, who has organized the event in the past, said the celebration of the year's longest day shouldn't be scrapped.

"It has become very much a food festival," Dalton said, and recalled the Daze when retailers cleared their shelves of unwanted stock.

"It was an excellent opportunity to get bargains."

Dalton said that with a bit of work Raven Mad could return to its original "country fair" atmosphere.

"It was a time for the community to come together and be together," Dalton said.

"I think people do look forward to it. There's an opportunity to make it a community event and business opportunity."

Van Tighem agreed that it was a good business opportunity, and that should merchants in the downtown core want Raven Mad Daze to happen they should approach their representative on the Chamber of Commerce.