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INUVIK - Amid the blowup palm tress, coconuts and sweltering heat, about 40 men and women are chatting it up Saturday night at the Lions Club, wearing everything from straw skirts to bright orange tank tops.

They're about to help themselves to some pina coladas, Kona chicken or black beans and rice, when club president Chris Garven, who was wearing a Rastafarian crown hat, complete with fake dreadlocks, blurts out an ultimatum.

Hazel Harrison gives the limbo her best shot at Island Night, a tropical-themed evening. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photos

Before anyone eats, one person from each table must do the limbo.

With some coaxing, a few brave participants present themselves. After some awkward twists and turns it's over and they can dig in.

It's Island Night at the Lions Club. It's a way, Garven said, for these Lions members and other spirited residents to chase away the winter blues.

"We were at a Lions' meeting and some members said it would be really neat to have a summer in January kind of a night," said Garven. "So that's how we came up with the idea. It's a long winter and we need the break.

"We'll do some limbo - that will be a little scary - play some Caribbean music, have some Caribbean style food and maybe do a little dancing."

A team of Lions and Ladies Auxiliary members prepared the event right down to the last detail, including some tasty banana and chocolate upside down cake.

For Deb Karst, who arrived in a stylish sun dress, it was all about doing something fun and exciting.

"It's just a kind of a break to get away from everything and enjoy the warmth," she said. "It's a novel idea having people come out and wear some summer clothes. We have some hula hoops.

"We're going to have some fun tonight. Winters are long and it gives us a chance to celebrate a little bit."