Cambridge Bay kicks off its weeklong Umingmak Frolics

Ollie the Muskox mascot is sure to attend

Organizers of Cambridge Bay’s spring festival, the Umingmak Frolics, recently posted photos on social media saying that their mascot, Ollie, had been kidnapped. They’ve since said that Ollie has been found and will attend the festival’s opening on Friday. (Photos courtesy of the Municipality of Cambridge Bay)

By Jane George

It’s a go: Ollie the Muskox mascot is back in Cambridge Bay just in time for the start of the Umingmak Frolics spring festival on Friday.

That announcement comes after Nunavut’s chief medical officer approved the schedule of outdoor and cultural activities this week.

Ollie, who had also been reported missing for days as a way to rally community interest for the frolics, will also be there.

He’s vanished before: in May 2017, the always-jovial Ollie was snatched as a prank and only returned in time for the frolics.

Friday is also a civic holiday in the town of about 1,800.

The festival kicks off with a parade around Cambridge Bay at 2:30 p.m. followed by opening ceremonies to be broadcast on community radio.

Events include a fishing derby, virtual games, a seal hunt, snow carving competition and snowmobile races every evening on the ice.

The online schedule includes a reminder to follow public health measures.

“While frolics is a community celebration we do want to remind everyone that we still need to follow very strict guidelines as per the CPHO’s office, we need to maintain social distancing protocols and practice COVID safety measures,” it said.

More than two in three adults in Cambridge Bay have received their two vaccinations against COVID-19.

Cambridge Bay has not seen any positive cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic started.

The frolics run until May 19.

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(4) Comments:

  1. Posted by Love that Muskox burger! on

    Ollie for our next MP! Please make sure he is on the ballot!

    • Posted by Muskox BURGER! on

      The muskox burger is the best burger in the world! I would have it in Rankin Inlet when they would order muskox from Cambridge Bay.

    • Posted by pc on

      Only if he stops going missing for days!

  2. Posted by anonymous on

    Happy that the frolics is happening, but not amused that the civic holiday starts today. Usually the civic holiday is just before the long weekend, wonder whose idea this was? Just my five cents.

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