Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we wrap up this session and look outside, we see the longer days are returning and the temperatures are slowly warming. Late winter in the NWT is a magical time of year. It is a time of renewal and festivity. Here in Yellowknife, some special community events provide an opportunity for that celebration.
The Snowking's 23rd season is well under way, Mr. Speaker. The festival draws visitors from across Canada and other parts of the world. The amazing castle, under tutelage from Snowking himself, Tony Foliot, is built by hand by a hardy group of souls starting right after New Year's. With a courtyard and slide, a grand ballroom and various nooks and crannies, the Snow Castle has evolved into a masterful thing of beauty. It is a true community treasure.
I want to congratulate another group of dedicated people who are working hard to put another great event on. I am referring to the board and volunteers who are gearing up for the seventh annual Long John Jamboree.
The jamboree celebrates the best parts of being a winter city. Games on the snow stage, live music in the carnival tent, arts exhibitions, the heritage tent, la
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, the Burn on the Bay, curling on the lake, and the international ice carving competition have made the Long John Jamboree another winter festival we can all be proud of.
In eight days, the jamboree will kick off. Organizers and volunteers have been working hard for months, dedicating hours of hard work and creativity to create a winter festival that is accessible, fun, and celebrates our northern traditions.
Along with the jamboree and Snowking, Yellowknife Bay has a never-ending stream of activity in the month of March. That includes one of Yellowknife's longest standing traditions, the Canadian Championship Dog Derby. There is hockey, kite skiing, ice fishing, and lots more, activity, fun, and celebration of the returning of light, great activities for Northerners and visitors alike to enjoy.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in expressing our congratulations to the many hard-working organizers and volunteers of all our territory's spectacular festivals and jamborees. Celebrations like these make our communities great, and they deserve our support and recognition. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.