he uncertain temperatures that led into the beginning of Toonik Tyme, Iqaluit’s spring celebrations, stabilized enough for the planning committee at 123!Go to run all the planned outdoor events on the sea ice for the second weekend of celebrations, April 12-14.
Temperatures during the day ranged from -2 C to -10 C, and all contestants, observers, and supporters of the snowmobile and dog races were able to travel the ice with cars and equipment thanks to the efforts of Tom Fitzgerald, who cleared the starting line.
Billy Kilabuk (contestant #117) ended up placing first of 18 in the snowmobile race to Kimmirut, taking an hour and 42 minutes to traverse the 350 km to the community on the southern shore of Baffin Island.
Of the six teams participating in the full dog team race, completing the Iqaluit and Apex course in two hours and 37 minutes in a tie was a team owned by Alusha and Paul Crowley and another owned by Andrew Card.
The closing ceremonies for Toonik Tyme were held at the Aqsarniit Hotel the evening of April 14, this year including a talent show. That was followed by fireworks over Imiqtarviminiq Lake on the Road to Nowhere, which had traffic at a standstill.
Michael Salomonie, who is fireworks certified and has overseen the closing Toonik Tyme ritual for years, was in charge of the pyrotechnics.
