INUVIK - Gerry Kisoun was excited on Tuesday, March 29, as the final preparations came together for the 54th annual Muskrat Jamboree.

Klaus Gantner, right, is more than willing to take a few pointers from Tristen Sydney, 13, during the muskrat skinning contest last year. - NNSL file photo

"We're starting it off with a big dinner on the Friday night," Kisoun said.

"Oh, that's right," he said, sure to say most of the staples will be there, bannock, beef as well as some traditional foods like muskrat and hare.

"Yeah, a little bit of country food.

"We're probably going to have a little bit of muktuk out there, too, for people to try," Kisoun said. "Some people might want to eat it and some people might just want to have a try."

The Northern festivities will begin with the opening ceremonies and welcoming of the dignitaries, followed by the crowning of this year's Muskrat Jamboree King and Queen.

Then, like any great community event, the feast will begin. Kisoun said the community dinner - sponsored by Inuvik Community Corp.- will feed everyone who shows up.

There will be games open to all, Inuvialuit drum dancing, jigging contests and an old time dance played to the tunes of the Delta Good Time Band - and that's just Friday!

Kisoun wanted to let all Muskrat Jamboreers past and present know that this year is dedicated to them.

Jamboree schedule

Friday, April 1

6:00 p.m.

* Opening ceremonies at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex

* Crowning of the Muskrat Jamboree 2011 King and Queen

* Traditional community feast

* Fun 'n' crazy games - open to all. No entry fee: Prizes to be awarded

* Inuvialuit drum dancing jigging contest - children three to 10 years no entry fee, first place $30, second place $20 and third place $10 - youth 11 to 15 years. First place $100, second place $60 and third place $40. Old time dance to follow: Delta Good Time Band

Saturday, April 2

9:00 a.m.

Fundraising pancake breakfast at Ingamo Hall

12:00 p.m.

Meeting for dog mushers at the river site

1:00 p.m.

12th annual Muskrat Jamboree masters open dog race. Open to any type sled, 20 mile race with a $100 entry fee. Prizes: first $2,000, second $1,500, third $1,000, fourth $750, fifth $500

1:00 p.m.

Muskrat Cup pond hockey three-on-three tournament

1:00 p.m.

Community games with prizes at the river site including plank walk, log sawing, foot races and nail driving.

3:00 p.m.

Men's and women's 500/600 cross country race for snowmobiles. Registration cut off is at 2 p.m. Snowmobiles lined up at 3 p.m. Prizes: first $500, second $300 and third $200.

5:00 p.m.

* Men's open cross country snowmobile race. Registration cut off is at 4 p.m. and snowmobiles lined up at 5 p.m. Prizes: first $1,500, second $1,000 and third $750.

* Women's open cross country snowmobile race. Registration cut off is at 4 p.m. and snowmobiles lined up immediately after the men's. Prizes: first $1,000, second $750 and third $500.

7:00 p.m.

* Muskrat Jamboree Bingo. Bingo cards on sale at river site from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Also will be sold at the Dome, along with Nevadas from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m, or until the start of the game.

* After bingo at the Midnight Sun Complex there will be a jigging contest. First prize is $400, second is $300, third is $200 and fourth is $100. Elders 60 years plus, entry fee is $15 per couple. First prize is $300, second is $200, third is $150 and fourth is $100.

* There is also an old time dance to follow at the Roy "Sugloo" Ipana Memorial Arena with the Delta Good Time Band.

Sunday, April 3

Traditional dress and show off day for all cultures.

9:00 a.m.

Fundraising pancake breakfast at the Anglican Church

12:00 p.m.

Meeting for dog mushers at river site

1:00 p.m.

14th annual Mary Firth women's dog team race. This is 10 miles with a toboggan. First prize is $1,000, second place $800, third place $500, fourth place $300 and fifth place $200.

1:00 p.m.

Community Games at the river site including honey bag hockey, harpoon throw, tea boiling contest, gunny sack relay race and the muskrat skinning contest. There is no entry fee for these games and prizes up to $250.

2:00 p.m.

Snowshoe races, open to all types of snowshoes. There are different entry fees and prizes for each category.

4:00 p.m.

Snow drag race for men 16 years and older. Registration cut off at 3 p.m. snowmobiles lined up at 4 p.m. Prizes: first $300, second $200 and third $100 Snow drag race for men 16 years and older. Registration cut off at 3 p.m. snowmobiles lined up after men's race. Prizes: first $300, second $200 and third $100

4:30 p.m.

Children's talent show for kids less than 13 years old at Ingamo Hall.

7:00 p.m.

Talent show at the Roy "Sugloo" Ipana Memorial Arena. Contestants must enter by 6 p.m. with categories for teenagers and adults and prizes up to $750.

Monday, April 4

12:00 p.m.

Meeting for dog mushers at river site

1:00 p.m.

14th annual Isaac Simon memorial dog race, 15 miles with toboggans. Prizes: first $1,500, second $1,000, third $500, fourth $300 and fifth $200.

1:00 p.m.

Kid's carnival at the river site

2:00 p.m.

Bush skills event for a one-man one-woman teams. Prizes: first $300, second $200 and third $100. There will also be egg toss and three-legged race.

2:00 p.m.

Men's and women's 500/600 track race. Registration cut off at 1 p.m. Prizes: first $750, second $500 and third $300

5:00 p.m.

* Men's open class 50-mile track race. Registration cut off at 4 p.m. Prizes: first $2,500, second $2,000, third $1,000 and fourth $500. Women's open class 50-mile track race. Registration cut off at 4 p.m. Prizes: first $1,500, second $1,000, third $500 and fourth $300

* The closing ceremonies will take place following the open class track races at the river site depending on weather. Big event prizes will be awarded and raffle tickets will be drawn at this time. Enjoy and stay warm.

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