SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Rick Poltaruk can breathe a sigh of relief now that his first caribou carnival is under his belt.

Rick Poltaruk, organizer of the Caribou Carnival, thanks volunteers during closing ceremonies on Sunday. - Adrian Lysenko/NNSL photo

The executive director for the annual springtime event said he was exhausted but encouraged by what he heard and saw since kicking it off with the Carnival Capers last Thursday.

"So much has happened since Thursday," said Poltaruk. "My head has been wrapped around every detail.

"We've raised a desire to have it next year. That's what matters."

This year the carnival was geared more toward family events and entertainment during the day, while providing music acts for the grown-ups at night.

And of course, it wasn't a Caribou Carnival unless it was cold and the low of -28 C on Sunday was proof.

Celebrating its 55th anniversary, the carnival started as an annual gathering of trappers keen to kick back after a long winter in the bush. Trappers competed against each other, displaying their rugged northern survival skills to be crowned "Bush King."

The event had seen some difficult times recently, having been scaled back to a half-day event from its normal three days twice in the last decade.

Poltaruk said he was proud to say there weren't any problems he was aware of, other than when Weledeh MLA Bob Bromley was thrown in jail by caribou police chief Blake Lyons for not having a Caribou Carnival button.

"It was funny because I sold him a button two days before," chuckled Poltaruk.

Volunteers, who managed to sell an estimated 4,500 carnival buttons, were pleased with results, and many said they are looking forward to improving the carnival for next year.

"It was a good start for next year," said Carol Walley, a volunteer coordinator.

She said organizers experienced some difficulties after city officials told them they couldn't put activities on city hall grounds where there is grass, thus the carnival was short on space and had to split up and place tents on either side of the city hall parking lot.

"For next year we're looking to condense things."

Caribou Carnival Queen Heather MacKenzie, who said she hadn't been to the carnival in many years, said she was really happy with the event.

"I think it's moving toward being more music-geared," said MacKenzie.

"It's a fresh start and next year will be better."

Many musical performers arrived from coast to coast to entertain at the carnival, including Newfoundland comedian A. Frank Willis; Marshall Lawrence, also known as "Doctor Blues"; and Vancouver's David the "Checkerboard Guy" Aiken with his daredevil comedy act.

"It's been solid," said James Boraski, who was in charge of the entertainment.

"There was lots of applause from happy faces."

Another volunteer co-ordinator, Michelle Henderson, said she was pleased with the turnout.

"It was a success," said Henderson. "We needed it to come to together and it did."

She said volunteers received a lot of feedback from Yellowknifers on what events they would like to see next year.

The Dene hand games weren't there because of a scheduling conflict with a hand game tournament in Behchoko.

Other long-standing events such as tea boiling and log sawing contests were also missing this year, but Poltaruk assured that they would return next year.

After planning to take a rest on Monday, Poltaruk said it's back to work for him.

"Now we're moving to planning for Raven Mad Days."