Cambridge Bay gets ready to party with Ollie the Muskox

Ollie the Omingmak, shown here from a previous year’s frolics, will return in 2016 to Cambridge Bay’s spring festival. (FILE PHOTO)

No matter what your age, you can plan to frolic in the western Nunavut community of Cambridge Bay, starting May 13.

That’s when Cambridge Bay’s annual spring festival gets underway. Its theme: “ingutaaqatigiluta umingmalu” or “let’s rock with the muskox.”

Highlights of the 10-day festival include 20 snowmobile races, daily corporate competitions between offices and businesses around town, cultural events, a community barbecues and a feast, a talent and fashion show, seal and fishing derbys, an ice carving and snow sculpture competition and, of course, a chance to chat and take a selfie with Ollie the Omingmak, the frolic’s popular muskox mascot.

And, if you’re six months to a year old, there’s a special something for you this year — a baby crawl contest slated for May 23.

This first-time event will see two coaches urging babies to crawl between them on mats set up in the Kullik elementary school gym.

Coaches can use props such as teddy bears, cell phones or keys to get the crawling going, but babies must crawl only.

“Any baby who stands or walks during the racing time will be disqualified,” say the competition rules.

The babies will crawl during “heats” of two minutes.

And the competition is serious: “Judge’s decisions are final and cannot be contested.”

For children and youth there are dances, comic and acting workshops, games, ice hockey and Inuinnaqtun and Inuktitut scavenger hunts.

The 19 and over set can also compete to become King Victor or Queen Victoria, for which they must design their own sash. To win, they’ll participate in various challenges.

Elders can look forward to watching the events (which can be found on the Omingmak Frolics Facebook page) and participate in their own events: an elders gathering at their cabin, a bingo, elders’ tent and cultural entertainment.

Everyone, no matter what their age, can follow the May 20 parade led around town by the 3004 Royal Canadian Army Cadets.

The frolics wrap up May 23.

But, until then, you’ll also be able to party with Ollie, as Nunatsiaq News will feature photos of many events.