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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Got plans for the summer? If so, you might want to revise them.

From June 19 to July 4, organizers plan to get current and former Yellowknifers into the city to dance, sing and celebrate at the YK75 Homecoming - the city's 75th anniversary.

"We're really excited about making this a really fun two weeks," said co-ordinator Barb Kardash.

"There are pancake breakfasts, elders' events, the Rotary parade, Music in the Park, the Midnight Sun Golf Tournament, an art market, youth dances," she said. "All of this stuff is listed on our website, and there are other things in the works."

The event marks the 75th anniversary of the first mining settlement in Yellowknife, Kardash said, though the actual date of incorporation has always been a matter of debate. But since the 50th anniversary took place in 1984, she said it's a little late to quibble on dates.

While the anniversary does have a grant from the city to get going, Kardash said YK75 is relying on many of Yellowknife businesses and organizations to keep the ball rolling, as there are only a few months to prepare. So far, organizers haven't been disappointed - Canadian North is offering discounted rates, as are a slew of Yellowknife hotels.

"The response has been great," Kardash said.

Homecoming organizers are also counting on early paid registration from interested locals and visitors, which will give them perks and discounts around the city.

"At the 50th, they had 4,000 people register," she said. "We're hoping for 2,000."

However, modern technology has taken this celebration places where the 50th anniversary committee never dreamed of - the Internet. YK75 has a frequently-updated website (www.yk75.com), an RSS feed and even a Facebook group.

"We've got 1,100 members already," Kardash said.

The Facebook page has already become a place for current and former Yellowknifers to reconnect, share stories and talk about upcoming events.

"So many fine, fond and exciting memories of Yellowknife," wrote Lorraine Lanteigne, marked as being from the Russian Facebook network. "Remember swimming at the pool in the winter? I must have been a tough younger woman to manage that facility ... frozen everything! Loved it all though. Wish John and I could be there!"

"I've got dibs on the bench in front of the post office (that is if it's still there and not occupied!)," wrote Tom Sas, from the Edmonton Facebook network, about finding accommodations in the city.

Kelley Weatherby, vice-president of YK75, said she hopes the homecoming will recapture some of the small-town magic she remembers from her early days in the city - back in 1978.

"We didn't lock our doors. You could walk down the street and say hi to everybody - everyone was extremely friendly."

Weatherby said YK75 grew out of the Fun Girls, a local group that holds semi-annual dinner/dances for people celebrating 25 years or more in the NWT capital. YK75's president, Lorie Piro, and treasurer, Jeannie Rocher, are both heavily involved with the Fun Girls, she said.

However, this event is for everyone - whether they have lived in Yellowknife for 25 years or 25 minutes - to have a great and memorable time.

"I hope that people can come out and truly have fun," Weatherby said. "There's going to be so much out there for people to enjoy."

To learn more and see schedules of events, check out www.yk75.com. You can also connect with the organization via its Facebook group, called "YK75 Yellowknife's 75th Anniversary / Homecoming."