New Governor General on Toonik Tyme guest list

There may not be enough snow for igloo building, but Iqaluit’s annual Toonik Tyme festival from April 17 to 22 is still planning a full schedule of familiar activities, as well as some surprises.

The new governor-general of Canada, Michaëlle Jean, is expected to be in Iqaluit for the opening ceremonies of Toonik Tyme.

As for entertainment, organizers are hoping to have a recognized headliner band from the South, such as Trooper, as well as many northern musicians.

That’s in addition to the daily schedule of activities which will include a night-time glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt for teens, a scavenger hunt, magic show, “Fear Factor” contest, hockey tournament, and a variety of traditional activities — a dog-team race, seal hunt, fishing derby and Inuit games.

School in Iqaluit will be out during Toonik Tyme, so special efforts are being made this year to include even more activities for kids and teens.

Toonik Tyme president Archie Angnakak said he wants to revive the community spirit of Toonik Tyme, which started 41 years ago as a local festival.

“The aim here is to celebrate the return of the warmth and sun, and that winter is over,” Angnakak said at last week’s official Toonik Tyme press launch.

The success of the event will now be back in the community’s hands, as it was before the city took over Toonik Tyme several years ago when a lack of public involvement threatened the festival’s future.

Angnakak and other board members said they don’t think they will have any problems recruiting volunteers this year: due to the school break that falls during the Toonik Tyme week, many parents and older students will be available to help out.

The festival’s finances may also improve, as Toonik Tyme has been re-incorporated as a non-profit society, which will be run by a volunteer board of directors, headed by Angnakak.

“Our goal is to bring Toonik Tyme to a new level,” Angnakak said.

This, he said, can be accomplished “by working together as a community with the support of local business and organizations.” The festival would eventually like to operate year-round and promote itself and the city nationally and internationally.

For 2006, Iqaluit is still supplying $23,000 and the time of two employees in the weeks leading up to the festival.

But as a non-profit organization, Toonik Tyme can now recruit new sources of public and private funds.

That’s why the society is promoting sponsorships, ranging from $500 to $15,000 to round out its $80,000 budget.

Sponsorships supply a variety of perks, including merchandise, free admission to events, a reception and an ad in Toonik Tyme’s new brochure.

Canadian North, represented by Eva Onalik at the Toonik Tyme’s launch last week, has already signed on as a major festival sponsor.

Admission will continue to be charged at some of the evening events, but Angnakak said most Toonik Tyme activities will remain free.

Iqaluit councilors passed a motion last week to officially declare the afternoon of April 21 a holiday.