KUGLUKTUK/COPPERMINE
Kugluktuk residents are getting ready for their week-long celebration of spring. Nattiq Frolics will be held this year from April 7 to 14.
Mika Angohiatok earned first place for girls after participating in the children snowmobile race during last year's Nattiq Frolics in Kugluktuk on April 10. - photo courtesy of Jessica VanOverbeek |
The events include four days of corporate-team challenges, such as three-legged races, pillow case and honey bucket races as well as snowmobile races, a community feast, a youth skate-a-thon and a crib tournament in the early days of Frolics.
The last three days feature a parade, more snowmobile races, a monster poker rally, a seal hunt, a hockey skills competition and a bingo. Entertainment will be provided throughout Frolics.
The community is really excited about the events, inquiring about them, said Jessica VanOverbeek, the hamlet's recreation co-ordinator. She said about 500 people attend various activities daily.
"Everybody is getting their snowmobile tuned up and winter wear all done up. Everybody will be ready to go in a week or so," said VanOverbeek. "We've been having great weather so there is not much to hold people back from going. "
A number of new activities were added to the schedule this year, such as an outdoor cook-off challenge on April 14, she said.
"Everybody has to go and buy five ingredients of their own and then there will be a mystery ingredient we will add and then they'll have to cook it outdoors and the best recipe wins, basically," said VanOverbeek.
An archery competition was on the program last year. This time, it is for father-and-son or uncle-and-nephew teams, said VanOverbeek.
"Just to add a theme and to encourage an adult and a kid to come together," she said about the event scheduled for April 7.
The coffee house and jam session is another new activity, scheduled for April 9, she said.
"Kind of like a coffee house (where) you can come and hang out and chat with your friends ... so very social and kind of warm atmosphere," said VanOverbeek. "We don't have anywhere for people to hang out so we like to put those on."
For those who are getting hungry, Catherine Kuneluk will be serving food from the Anglican Church "chip stand" called Happy. Proceeds will go to the church, she said.
"We'll be serving food like soup and bannock, tea, coffee," said Kuneluk.
