IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY - One resident found the ventriloquist hilarious. Another said the fashion show was beautiful. In all, it seems almost everyone had fun at Cambridge Bay's 2011 Omingmak Frolics.

Mary Kilaodluk shows off the Inupiat-style parka made of seal, wolverine and wolf she made herself during the 2011 Omingmak Frolics Festival in Cambridge Bay. She won the top prize at the fashion show. - photo courtesy of Paul Billowes

The event from May 13 to 23 featured ventriloquist Mark Crocker, an arts and crafts market, a fashion show, a fishing derby, traditional games, a parade, bingo and snowmobile races. The 3004 Royal Canadian Army Cadets had an annual review and Nunavut Commissioner Edna Elias hosted a levee and handed out a number of awards for bravery and volunteerism.

Cambridge Bay Mayor Syd Glawson said attendance was up from last year.

"All reports say it went over with a bang. It was well-received and most importantly, enjoyed," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, there was something for everybody - from the kids to the older adults and then into our elders. Of course, we welcomed spring. There is no grass, no birds chirping yet, but spring is here."

Recreation co-ordinator Fred Muise said the event was "very, very successful" and well attended, adding he's heard a lot of positive feedback from the community.

"Oh my goodness, it was a lot of work and I was very tired but I had a blast," he said, adding they may try adding new events next year. "We always look at ways to take it to the next level. I think personally, everything worked out great."

His favourite event was the three-course dinner and ventriloquist show.

Resident Patti Bligh attended the show featuring ventriloquist Mark Crocker and said he was "hilarious."

"It was very, very fun. It wasn't horribly risque. He made a nice connection with the community and it was a very relaxed evening," she said. "It was just fun. He was funny. We need to laugh more."

She also watched the parade through the community and went to the cadet's annual review.

"Those kids really worked hard and they really presented themselves very well and should make the community very proud," she said. "The parade was wonderful. There was one float all covered up in muskox hides and they were throwing out really good candy."

The Kitikmeot Heritage Society helped organize the fashion show, an event executive director Renee Krucas said was "amazing." She added about 200 to 300 people came.

"It was beautiful," she said. "All the people brought really great clothing and a lot of the elders wore clothing that they've sewn here at the centre."

The society participated in a community wall hanging project, where people were invited to sew pieces at

different events, with those pieces eventually being put together in a large wall hanging.

The society also organized games for youth out on the sea ice where about 100 people attended.

"That was lots of fun. Lots of people came out and participated in all kind of games. It was great," said Krucas. "Everything was a big success. It was great this year. The weather was perfect. It was sunny every day, not too cold. It was awesome."

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