Toonik Tyme in Iqaluit heralds the arrival of spring

Even before Toonik Tyme kicked off April 7, many in Iqaluit turned out to celebrate spring at the francophone association’s sugar shack on April 3, where the brunch menu was tapped off with popsicle sticks of maple taffy on snow. (PHOTO BY JANE GEORGE)

Toonik Tyme, Iqaluit’s spring-time festival, kicks off April 7 with a kids’ pool party, kids’ outdoor skating party, elders’ bingo in the afternoon at the elders’ qammaq and snowmobile drag races for men and women on the sea ice.

The opening ceremonies — $2 admission for all, except for elders and youth under 12 — include a traditional clothing fashion show and the naming of the Honorary Toonik, who serves as an honorary chairperson of the festival.

In the afternoon of Thursday, April 8, Toonik Tyme fun starts non-stop, with a kids sliding party, an ice sculpture competition and elders outdoor games.

These activities are followed by a $15 per person fund-raising stew and bannock dinner for the St. Jude’s rebuilding committee in the Anglican Parish Hall, and the “Fear Factor” event, held at the curling rink where doors open at 5:30 p.m., with admission free for elders, $2 for ages six to 12 and $5 for adults.

Teen games are scheduled for the youth centre.

And for those who still have energy to spare, there’s a $2-a-head northern band show at the Cadet Hall.

The afternoon of April 9 is a holiday for city and Government of Nunavut workers, with golf on the Toonik Lake across from the Arctic Winter Games Arena, pre-school games, a kids scavenger hunt, and an elders craft fair at their qammaq.

Igloo building and tea and bannock-making competitions are planned for the afternoon as well as a kids’ hockey tournament, adult scavenger hunt and an uphill climb.

On the evening of Friday, a “giant bingo,” offering a $10,000 jackpot starts at 6 pm in the Canadian North warehouse.

At the same time, there’s a special free concert for kids at Nakasuk School featuring children’s performer “Dan the Music Man” from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Square dancing and games follow.

Saturday morning, April 10, brings a craft sale at the curling rink and a jewelry sale at Nunavut Arctic College.

Afternoon activities includes snowmobile races, activities at the Iqaluit library, “dog dashes” behind the museum and a seal skinning contest at 5 pm in from of Nakasuk school.

The Trews, a Nova Scotia rock band, performs at 8 pm in the curling rink.

Their song “Sing Your Heart Out” from their album “Friends And Total Strangers” was nominated for Best AAA/Alternative Song at the 2010 U.S. International Acoustic Music Awards.

But you won’t be able to see them perform their latest hit in Iqaluit unless you bought a ticket weeks ago. That’s because the $40-a-ticket concert is already sold out.

Sunday, dog team races start out on the sea ice at 10 am, followed by SnoCross races at 4 pm. There’s also kids’ karaoke starting at 2 pm at the Legion.

Monday, April 12, brings a family indoor skate at the Arnaitok Arena from 1 to 3 p.m., a cake decorating contest at the curling rink at 5:30 pm, followed at 7 p.m. by a fashion show, and the closing ceremonies for Toonik Tyme.

Then, the fun’s all over until next spring, unless you live in Rankin Inlet, where Pakallak Tyme runs from April 26 to May 10, or in Cambridge Bay where Umingmak Frolics are scheduled for the long Victoria Day holiday in May.

For more information about the schedule for Toonik Tyme, and last minute changes in the schedulem go to the official Toonik Tyme website at www.tooniktyme.com or to the Unikkarvik vistors centre.