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INUVIK - The annual Christmas craft fair is taking place this weekend at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex.

Great Northern Arts Festival executive director Tony Devlin said the venue was changed from the formerly used SAM school gym because it fits better in the complex.

Local artist Rosie Albert was busy sewing at last year's craft fair. This year's event takes place at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex. The fair starts Friday night at 6 p.m. and runs all weekend. - NNSL file photo

"We changed venues for a few reasons. Space was a factor, parking and accessibility were the reasons for the move," he said.

Devlin said the added bonus of using the rec complex facility is the increased space outside of the community hall.

"We plan on using the foyer to sell raffles and we're also using the space in the lobby of the family centre," he said.

A new addition to the fair is the best decorated table contest, which will be held during the weekend extravaganza.

"One of the keys to the craft fair is to reflect the spirit of the season and to make it a Christmasy event," said Devlin.

"We're hoping the people organizing their tables will go above and beyond for the fair."

Devlin said the old venue of the school gym wouldn't allow for many decorations to be put up, which will not be a problem this year.

"The community hall is decorated for Christmas events and parties and that sort of thing," he said.

"At the school, we had to have the gym ready for school on Monday."

The fair is a bit later in the season than in past years as well.

"We bumped it two weeks back, which is closer to Christmas," he said.

Devlin explained the moving of the date was to connect the event to the Christmas season.

"In past years, it's always been more of a craft fair, and not so much a Christmas event," he said.

Admission will be granted upon donating a non-perishable food item or cash to the food bank.

"We're working with the food bank to reflect the spirit of the season," said Devlin.

As of Tuesday, Devlin said there were 65 tables that were booked for the event.

"We've got people coming in from the communities for this event. There are a number of new participants to the fair who weren't in previous fairs," he said.

The fair starts Friday night, running from 6 to 9 p.m. The event resumes on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. The fair wraps up on Sunday, when it runs from noon to 4 p.m.