INUVIK - Greta Sittichinli finally caved to Alfred Moses's constant pleas for her to join his quest to become king of the Muskrat Jamboree.

Well, not quite. It was actually Sittichinli who was gung-ho about the idea and she turned to her younger colleague and cousin who obliged her request after a little consideration.

Greta Sittichinli and Alfred Moses are in competition with two other couples to be this year's Muskrat Jamboree king and queen. The couple which raises the most money for the March 26 to 29 event will be crowned royalty. Here they're shown at their Ingamo Hall fundraising event on Saturday displaying some of the goods for sale. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

But becoming this year's jamboree king and queen isn't a sure thing. The two are up against two other formidable couples vying for the title: Roy Ipana Jr. and Trista Arey as well as Paul Grech and Sara Hatcher, who happens to be Moses's girlfriend.

The couple which raises the most money for the jamboree will be crowned at the event's opening ceremonies on March 26, so all three pairs have been frantically fundraising by hosting lunches, selling Valentine's Day roses, raffle tickets, and putting on jail bails, all in the name of the coveted title.

Though he played down the significance of the grand title and the stature that comes with it, Alfred said the annual competition is a tradition of which he wanted to be a part.

"The jamboree is really important to Inuvik," said Moses. "(Greta and I) do a lot for the community already. This is a way to stay involved and also contribute to such a great event."

Beyond fundraising, king and queen contestants serve a valuable role in promoting the jamboree, said Sittichinli, and you need to find a partner with a lot of energy.

"You don't want to pick someone who won't work hard," she said with a laugh.

Even though neither could say how much money they've raised, they said community support has been consistently solid.

Back when the event started 53 years ago, the jamboree crowned only a queen. It later introduced a king. For its 50th anniversary, event organizers decided to cut the kings out to honour the occasion, only to reverse the decision again.

The jamboree's goal is to bring residents, especially families, from all over the Delta together for some alcohol-free fun to kick off the spring season.

"It's such a big event where we get to celebrate our traditions together," said Sittichinli, pointing out the opening ceremonies' feast and the talent show are among her favourite events.