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By Daron Letts
Northern News Services
Published Friday, January 23, 2009

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Caribou Carnival is still months away, but residents are encouraged to celebrate the spirit of spring with costumes and dancing this month, anyway.

The Caribou Carnival country jamboree fills the Elks Hall beginning at 7 p.m. on Jan. 30. The event is a fundraiser for this year's Caribou Carnival, a Yellowknife tradition that has honoured the return of sunlight and warm weather each March for decades.

Catherine Gillis serves as vice-president on the new Caribou Carnival organizing committee. - Daron Letts/NNSL photo

"We're getting a lot of community support," said Catherine Gillis, vice-president of the newly-assembled Caribou Carnival committee. "We're definitely going to have a good time this year."

Musicians scheduled for the jamboree include John Tees and George Tuccaro, Randy Sibbeston, Rick and the Relics, Lloyd Thrasher, Stephen Kakfwi and francophone band Grate Taiga.

The committee is planning door prizes, a 50/50 draw and awards for best costume. People are encouraged to don guises inspired by their favourite characters from our town's history.

Members of Students Against Drunk Driving will staff the coat check and provide rides home throughout the evening. However, a few more volunteers for the event are still needed, Gillis said.

A second fundraiser is being planned for Feb. 14 at the Elks Hall. The Valentine's night event will feature a bachelor and bachelorette auction.

This year's Caribou carnival embraces the theme of diversity. Members of Yellowknife's many cultural communities will prepare selections of international cuisine for the carnival. Live music, children's entertainment and other annual traditions are being planned as well, Gillis said.