INUVIK
Inuvik marked the return of the sun after weeks of darkness with a bang last weekend.

Doe David Nasogaluak, left, and Larsen Nasogaluak dance in a Sunrise Festival performance at the ice village Jan. 9. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo

"It was an incredible weekend, full of community spirit and awesome events," said organizer Ray Solotki. "The only thing that was missing was the sun itself, but I can only do so much."

Despite the fog - and perhaps in part because of it - the Sunrise Festival was hard to beat in terms of sheer beauty. Mayor Jim McDonald said the warm weather was a boon and that while the fog blocked the actual sun, it made everything else even more picturesque.

"The festival itself has been growing over the last number of years," McDonald told the Drum, adding that the ice road village down on Twin Lakes was bigger this year. "The new location worked really well . the ice village is maybe something we could look at expanding next year. There were a lot of kids and families who went to see it both Saturday and Sunday and it was really popular."

The weekend events kicked off Friday night with an opportunity for diners to try all kinds of food presented by vendors at the community hall, followed by an old time dance and jigging contests that lasted long into the night. Saturday saw a snow carving contest at Jim Koe Park and the Arctic Market at the Midnight Sun Complex, as well as the opening of the village on Twin Lakes, complete with snow forts and slides for children. Sunday wrapped up with more fun at the village and a game of snow-pitch. Solotki said seeing how many people came out to the village and the amazing turnouts at sunrise yoga and the snow-pitch game topped her list of highlights for the Jan. 8-10 weekend.

"I was really impressed with the community involvement," she said. "It seemed difficult to get commitments at first, but so many people and companies came together to be a part of it. We had so many prizes to give away that were donated."

Snow-carving contestant Ryan Taylor said the warm weather was a nice change from previous years, but that the festival is always a good time.

Joe Nasogaluak came in with the Tuktoyaktuk Siglit Drummers and Dancers, who performed for crowds at the ice village.

"We're a very young group, and this is good for them to get out and show what they can do," he said. "Things like this, especially this time of year, it makes January a little brighter."

Next year, if given the chance to run the event again, Solotki said she would like more involvement from the Delta communities.

"Next year, I would try to get a skating rink sorted out earlier - we couldn't quite pull it off in time," she said. "And also to get all the outdoor events in one place. A lot of effort goes into making the village, so having it as the main outdoor location would be beneficial to everyone."

McDonald said planning will soon get underway for next year's event, hopefully one that will be even greater and more welcoming. His greatest thanks went out to the people of Inuvik for heading out and participating in the festival.

"While there are always things that can be improved or built upon year to year, it was wonderful to speak to so many happy people and hear such positivity from everyone," said Solotki. "We had the perfect number of volunteers at each event, and we had so many people just offer to help when they saw how well things were going."