Even with Covid-19 in the air, spirits were still strong as the Town of Invuik forged ahead with its annual Sunrise Festival, albeit with a highly subdued schedule.
Planners had already set out a modest schedule in the first place, with no major feasts or performances, instead opting for a limited Arctic Market and taste of Inuvik, a few movies and public skates, a mitten making workshop and a snowmobile parade on top of fireworks, snowperson making contests and the lantern light up, but ultimately settled on just the last three events after the festival was delayed by two weeks.
SA国际影视传媒淲e decided weSA国际影视传媒檝e delayed long enough,SA国际影视传媒� said Mayor Clarence Wood. SA国际影视传媒淭o be quite honest, I donSA国际影视传媒檛 know how the situation is going to change in the next month or so, so itSA国际影视传媒檚 either now or never. But we did scale it back somewhat, we got rid of the activities or events to limit public exposure. We kept a few things, obviously the big thing was the fireworks.
SA国际影视传媒淭his Covid-19 situation has slowed everything down.SA国际影视传媒�
Even the traditional bonfire was scrapped for the second year in a row. Instead, residents gathered in their vehicles along the Mackenzie River to watch the fireworks as the weather finally cooperated with organizers.
Residents were invited to make their own snowperson and lantern display for a community-wide contest. All through Sunday afternoon, town staff made their way through town checking out peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 porch and yard displays.
With assistance from the Inuvialuit Communications SocietySA国际影视传媒檚 team of photographers, the town was busy sampling displays until well into the evening. The team finally wrapped up at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday night.
SA国际影视传媒淥ur gear is frozen but our hearts are warm,SA国际影视传媒� wrote economic and tourism director Jackie Challis. SA国际影视传媒淲e saw some incredible lanterns and more importantly we were able to see families, neighbours, children, & children at heart come to together to help Celebrate the Light and the return of the Sun.SA国际影视传媒�
There is still an opportunity to enter the contests for anyone who wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 able to participate over the weekend. Residents are invited to either take a selfie of themselves with their lantern display or snowperson and sent it to the town at tourism@inuvik.ca or text it to 867 678-5398 or on Facebook Messenger to Inuvik Sunrise Festival FB Page.
Photos will be published on the Inuvik Sunrise Festival FB page later in the month.
Wood said he was impressed with how the town has handled the current outbreak, which has hung over the town since the start of the year.
SA国际影视传媒淚 think the townSA国际影视传媒檚 been doing a good job on it,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e tried to do as much as possible for people to give them something to do. Unfortunately the restraints from the Covid-19 secretariat have been tight, so itSA国际影视传媒檚 been difficult to do anything normal.SA国际影视传媒�
Wood said it was too early to tell if the townSA国际影视传媒檚 spring festival, the Muskrat Jamboree, would befall a similar reduction in scope.
But he said organizers were monitoring the situation.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e taking each one as they come,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 know what the situation is going to be be even next month. We could be out of all these lock-downs and everybody could be doing their normal thing. On the other hand, we could be even tighter than we are now.
SA国际影视传媒淲e donSA国际影视传媒檛 know.SA国际影视传媒�
A long-exposure shot of the Jan. 22 fireworks show over the Mackenzie River. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
A long-exposure shot of the Jan. 22 fireworks show over the Mackenzie River. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo
