Cambridge Bay gets ready to frolic

During last year’s Omingmak Frolics in Cambridge Bay, Syd Glawson, the mayor of Cambridge Bay, donned his muskox horns to pose with Ollie the Omingmak, the mascot of the community’s annual spring festival. (PHOTO COURTESY OF BRENDA MERCER)

People in Cambridge Bay are brushing off their muskox-horn hats as they gear up for the town’s annual Omingmak Frolics.

The volunteer-organized festival, which includes many traditional and cultural activities, kicks off May 16, and winds up a week later during the evening of May 23.

The festival’s packed schedule includes contests for all ages and tastes, including an arts and crafts show, traditional games, a fishing derby, an Inuinnaqtun scavenger hunt, a fashion show, as well as performances by local musicians and a parade down the main street of town.

The Kitikmeot Heritage Society is also inviting all community members to take part in the Cambridge Bay wall hanging project.

Everyone will have the opportunity to create and sew an original design, which will then be placed on a large wall hanging.

A table with supplies of felt, thread, needles, and other materials will be set up at the Kullik Ilihakvik elementary school on May 18.

The completed wall hanging will go on permanent display in the Luke Novoligak community hall.

On May 20, Edna Ekhivalak Elias, the Commissioner of Nunavut, will invite everyone in town to the Commissioner’s Levee in celebration of spring and to honour commissioner awards recipients.

Following the 6 p.m. awards presentation at Kullik Ilihakvik, there will be a community feast followed by local entertainment featuring the Cambridge Bay Square Dancers and the community’s drummers and dancers.

Then, on May 22, Elias will host all elders for a Sunday tea, starting at 2 p.m. in the Elders’ Palace.

Here’s a brief look at some of the events planned for the Frolics:

May 16

• Backward piggy-back races, 12:30 p.m., in front of the hamlet office
• Ski-Doo poker rally ($5/hand) 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Kullik Ilihakvik
• Casino week 9:00 p.m. – midnight, old co-op hotel boardroom

May 17

• Hockey, 12:30 p.m., in front of the hamlet office
• Snowmobile races – River Run
• Casino week, 7:00 p.m. – midnight, old co-op hotel boardroom

May 18

Sled races, 12:30 p.m. in front of the hamlet office
Snowmobile races
Casino week, 7:00 p.m. – midnight, old co-op hotel boardroom
Arts and craft sale and fashion show, 7:30 p.m., Kullik Ilihakvik

The events continue on through May 23.

This year’s frolics also include a first for Cambridge Bay: two May 21 shows featuring ventriloquist Mark Crocker and his sassy friend Chester.

As well, chef Edward and his staff from Yellowknife’s Coyotes Restaurant will be in town to prepare a three-course, $75 dinner, whose menu includes carved muskox roast with a mixed berry demi-glaze. Crocker will perform his adult show after the meal.

If you’re in Cambridge Bay and want to know more about next week’s activities, you can pick up a complete schedule of the events at local stores.