INUVIK
Nothing too fancy was needed - just a big hole, dirt and water - but the 5th International Mud Day event in Inuvik last week drew smiles from hundreds of children.

Jet Etter gets ready to toss a mud ball. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photos

"I have two boys right here," said Trina Qaqqasiq, as she watched her children play in the mud pit.

"They're having so much fun. It's really fun for them to get dirty."

A large mud pit let children wade in up to their chests, while a water-fed slide on one end was constructed for youth to enjoy.

Colsen Gordon, shivering after he got out of the mud pit, stated his simple desire for the day: "To get the muddiest!"

Melinda Gillis organizes the event each year on behalf of the Children First Centre.

Kurt Wainman of Northwind Industries Ltd. built the pit while Plumb Crazy Mechanical Ltd., Gillis's company, provided water.

The first year had about 50 children, said Gillis. Last year's headcount was 250. From a rough estimate, the 2017 edition looked to easily match if not surpass the event's record.

Gillis was also able to secure lifeguards for the afternoon, donated by the Town of Inuvik.

"It's getting to be a really big event," she said.

"I had kids showing up at 1 o'clock and we didn't start until 2 p.m. We're pretty lucky that kids love to get muddy."

She said it's been a family tradition to play in the mud.

"We let our kids play in mud all the time," said Gillis.

"My grandmother was a huge advocate. She said, 'There's so much water around, just let your kids get dirty.'

"Nowadays our kids don't get dirty enough. To put a day where they're just allowed to get as dirty as they want, that's so exciting. They love it."

And the weather was beautiful for it.

Gillis said many people contributed to the success of the event.

"This event takes a lot of work that isn't cost-recovery for Wainman, but he still does it every year," she said.

"It wouldn't be this event without people like that."

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