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Carnival to focus on children
Enough money left over from jamboree to host event without fundraising

Sarah Ladik
Northern News Services
Thursday, June 9, 2016

INUVIK
While grownups may have had their fun on the ice earlier this year, it's now time for the children to come out and play during the annual Kiddie Carnival.

NNSL photo/graphic

Jayden Cockney was one of the dozens of happy children participating in the Muskrat Jamboree Kiddie Carnival last June at Chief Jim Koe Park. - NNSL file photo

"The children get so excited about it," said organizer Greta Sittichinli.

"They are our future, and we want them to learn how to take over some day. We already have kids stepping up and helping with all the games."

Along with the games, bouncy castle, talent show, and barbecue, there will be something new this year.

Sittichinli said unlike other years, when the carnival was attached to the Muskrat Jamboree, there will be no prince and princess competition in which contestants raise money to help fund the event itself. With more than $120,000 raised for the Muskrat Jamboree by the king and queen contestants last year, there was enough left over to run the entire kiddie carnival without fundraising.

"We decided as a group to just focus on the kids," said Sittichinli.

"The community needed a break from the fundraising - it's not just our group, lots of groups in town are actively fundraising - and we wanted to make the kiddie carnival about the kids."

While the carnival used to be held in conjunction with the Muskrat Jamboree, Sittichinli said she and other organizers made the decision four years ago to split the two.

She said there were just not enough volunteers to go around and, this way, both young and old get to have their time to shine.

Still, the call is out for volunteers for the carnival. Organizers are mainly looking for people to help with registration for the games, something Sittichinli described in vivid colour.

"You announce the next game, like the three-legged-race, and all of a sudden you have 50 kids all running at you at the same time," she said, laughing.

"Having a few people signing them up really helps things move along quicker."

Events will kick off June 11 with a bike race from Ingamo Hall to Jim Koe Park, where there will be a barbecue and other snacks for children 15 and under.

Games and activities will continue for the rest of the day and commence once again June 12.

"It's a lot of work that goes into this event, and the children love it," said Sittichinli.

"But none of it would be possible without the whole team working so hard."

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