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Faced with warm weather, Yellowknife's celebration on ice moves inland

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Bogdan Stanciu/NNSL photo The Long John Jamboree kicked off Mar. 23

Yellowknife’s spring celebration on ice is moving inland.

The Long John Jamboree, an end-of-winter festival that’s been held on Yellowknife Bay since its inception in 2012, will relocate to the Yellowknife Fieldhouse parking lot due to record-high temperatures, organizers announced Monday.

“For the first time in eight years, the Long John Jamboree will be a 'land' event," stated Long John Jamboree Society president Michelle Demeule in a news release.

The annual weekend-long festival, known for hosting world-class snow carving competitions and more, is set to kick off at its new site on Friday, March 29.

“While we will not be able to enjoy the aesthetic and emotion that being on the lake provides, the pioneering attitude of being a ‘true Northerner’ means that we must adapt to the conditions presented to us,” stated Demeule.

“Mother Nature has presented us with a 2nd year of challenging weather and we won’t let her get us down!” she added.

The Long John Jamboree is the second major winter festival in the territory’s capital affected by unseasonable weather conditions.

Snowking’s Winter Festival organizers announced an early end to the 2019 snow castle over the weekend, due to deep puddles caused by melting.

Despite Long John Jamboree’s planned move, Demeule assured that a “full slate of events and activities” will proceed at this year’s festival.

“From ice carving and musicians, to wonderful local artists and awesome food, there will be something for everybody to enjoy and participate in,” she stated.

A schedule of festival events and the De Beers Inspired Ice International Ice Carving Competition will be released before the weekend, once all events are finalized, stated Demeule.

Last year, high-winds forced Long John Jamboree organizers to shut down a full day of events.