Iqaluit prepares for Toonik Tyme rewards

It’s that Tyme again.

Toonik Tyme’s heady festivities are set to take over Iqaluit in a celebration of spring – and this year, promise to seduce people with extra prize money in traditional events.

Organizers of the annual festival said they increased cash prizes for the seal hunting, seal skinning and igloo building competitions with a precise eye to attracting more participants.

However, the less traditional events will still be the most lucrative for the lucky and talented few. Fear Factor, a battle based on the popular TV series, where contestants try to outdo each other trudging through a challenge meant to turn the stomach, will offer flights to Ottawa – plus a week-long Caribbean vacation of choice.

The gross-out will begin at 7 p.m. at the Storehouse Bar on Wednesday.

Giant Bingo, known to pull players in from communities around Nunavut, puts $20,000 worth of prize money on the line this year, in Nevada playcards and a $10,000 jackpot. Players can expect the doors to open at 4 p.m. at the curling rink, where the event will be held on Friday (April 23). Games begin at 6 p.m.

The week-long celebration officially begins with opening ceremonies on April 19, with a sealskin fashion show at Nakasuk School at 7 p.m.

However, competitions will already be underway with a minor hockey tournament, which runs April 15-18; the seal hunting contest on April 17; snowmobile oval races on the same day on the sea ice; and a puck-carving contest at the Arctic Winter Games complex in the afternoon.

The explosion of activity in Iqaluit will include good, free food at a community feast, held by the John Howard Society, at 6 p.m. at Parish Hall on April 18.

To shake off the extra calories, or simply soak in some good music, people can head out to Northern Band Night at 7 p.m. on April 20 at Nakasuk School.

Then, fishermen and fisherwomen able to get up early will take their jigging rods to Northmart to register for the fishing derby at 7 a.m. on April 22.

And artists with a deft hand for making something nice from ice, are invited to go to the Nakasuk parking lot for the annual ice sculpture contest.

Toonik Tyme closes officially with a country music performance from Tom Jackson, star of the CBC drama series North of 60, at 7 p.m. on April 24 at Nakasuk School.

For more information on events, call Ailsa at 979-5617, or pick up a schedule at city hall or the Iqaluit recreation office at the new arena.