KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
Large crowds took part in a full schedule of activities during the annual Christmas Games in Rankin Inlet, which completed their 17-day run on Jan. 1.

Fireworks fill the sky over Williamson Lake as the community rings in the new year in Rankin Inlet on Dec. 31. - photo courtesy of Doug McLarty

The fun-filled events featured something for all ages, including those in the hamlet who have trouble getting out and about.

Rankin acting senior administrative officer Justin Merritt said the Christmas Games are a very long-standing tradition in the community.

He said all reports indicate the community totally enjoyed this year's edition of the festivities.

"I never received a single complaint, and that's usually a pretty good sign of how an event went in the community," said Merritt, with tongue planted firmly in cheek. "A lot of people -- kids, adults and seniors -- still appreciate the Hamlet hosting the Christmas Games and make a point of attending as many of them as they can.

"We had our first hamlet council meeting on Jan. 4, which, really, is just to get our new members sworn-in and take care of any outstanding issues like the approval of past minutes and such.

"A number of the councillors said everything they heard about this year's Christmas Games was positive."

The Hamlet helped the community ring-in the new year with a fireworks display on Williamson Lake.

Although the show was entertaining, Merritt said it's going to get better.

He said the Hamlet is taking steps to ensure future fireworks displays are more state-of-the-art in nature.

"Years ago, John Gamble of the Red Top had a licence for fireworks, and he'd donate them for the display and set them off.

"They were gone for awhile, but then our rec co-ordinator, David Clark, reintroduced them a few years ago.

"The fireworks this year were nice, but we're hoping to send David (Clark) and our new fire chief out on a course sometime this year, so, next year, we're able to do a lot more impressive show with what I would call professional, or advanced, fireworks.

"The company that supplies our fireworks also does that training, so we're looking forward to sending a couple of people down for the course and doing a spectacular display in the future."