Fort Liard’s Cabin Fever Days started on Wednesday events running until Sunday evening.
The 65th annual Inuvik Muskrat Jamboree in Inuvik also starts on Friday.
And the North Slave region is gearing up for Yellowknives Dene First Nation’s Spring Carnival, which starts on Friday and really gets going on Saturday and Sunday in Dettah.
The ice road is still open from School Draw Avenue, for the short drive to the community. An hourly bus service will travel to Dettah’s Chief Drygeese Centre from Ndilo.
With forecasted daytime temperatures just above freezing, outdoor events should be pleasant for onlookers. A fishing derby and a youth Handgames Tournament will take place on Friday, followed by an always popular evening talent show.
Saturday involves a carnival, pond hockey, a host of outdoor events and drum dance at 9 p.m.
Sunday brings a pancake breakfast, baking contest and community feast. There is a youth Handgames Tournament tomorrow afternoon, with a regular Handgames tournament on Saturday night.
In support of the event, civil servants in Yellowknife will have tomorrow afternoon off, with city council enacting a bylaw granting a half-day civic holiday. Some GNWT staff may also get the half-day holiday. GNWT Infrastructure offices in Yellowknife are closed tomorrow afternoon, with the DMV, closing at 12:30 p.m.
Employees of private businesses are not affected by the city’s declaration. But many non-retail businesses have supported the carnival by closing early in past years.