INUVIK
More than 100 of Inuvik's youth took advantage of an excuse to get down and dirty on June 29, and there was wasn't much their parents could do to complain.

Maria McDonald was enjoying a little good, muddy fun at Mud Day on June 29, and there wasn't a word of complaint coming from any nearby adult. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

It was time to celebrate International Mud Day, with the help of the Children's First Society, the Inuvik Fire Department and businessman Kurt Wainman.

The town of Inuvik chipped in with permission to use some vacant lots near Carmichael Street for the day, and the fire department and Wainman flooded the area to provide the mud. A thunderstorm the night before also helped the cause.

Melinda Gillis, a spokesperson for Children's First, called the event one of her favourites.

"My kids are always playing in mud," she said with a broad smile. "So I want to encourage everyone's too."

Playing in, and having exposure to mud, is now known to have certain therapeutic benefits, she added, from psychological to boosting the immune system.

Gillis said there is a bacteria in mud that provides the benefit to the immune system, while the chance to play in mud is a stress reliever enhanced by outdoor play.

"Scientists have discovered something that children have always known – playing in the mud can lift your mood. Recent studies have revealed that dirt contains microscopic bacteria called mycobacterium vaccae, which increases the levels of serotonin in our brains, helping to relax, soothe and calm," she said, quoting from a Facebook post she had written for the event.

Studies also show that playing outside and in the mud can raise cognitive functions, Gillis said.

"Besides, it's just plain fun," she declared, recalling how she played in the mud as a child.

While it might have been mostly the children and youths rolling around in the mud, at least a few adults yielded to temptation and jumped in themselves. Others contented themselves with standing on the periphery, although hardly out of danger with all the mud-slinging happening.

"Look at all these adults standing around," a mud-encrusted Doris Marshall said. "That's not for me!"

"My favourite part is throwing the mud," said Phoenix MacNabb as he hunted for an unwary target.

"It's awesome," added Jacob Lennie. "The best part is rolling around in the mud."

Luckily, the fire department provided a portable pool so the children could wash some of the mud off before heading home.

"This is just an excellent way of letting the kids get down and dirty," said Lisa Steen with a huge smile as she stood in the middle of the "splatter zone."

"This is awesome," added Laura Hicks.

"I think it's fantastic," said Lynsey Hern, who couldn't stop laughing while trying to duck the muck.

At least 135 people attended the event, Gillis said, which also featured some intriguingly-named snacks that included such treats as "worms and dirt."