Thaw di Gras Preview

Angela Szymczuk is a Whitehorse-based writer, espresso-infused, news-consuming machine who loves the gym, boxing and spin classes while still finding time to enjoy a Macanudo cigar, a glass of Glenfiddich 18-year-old scotch and contemplating how she might teach her cat to scuba dive.

GET READY FOR SOME OUTRAGEOUS WINTER FUN!

Dawson City is getting ready to host its annual Thaw di Gras Spring Carnival

We have all heard the term winter blues. I suspect, somewhere along the line, that is why winter festivals were created—something to liven up the cold, dull stretch of winter. In Canada, we have many winter festivals that take place every year. Vancouver hosts the Aurora Winter Festival, Niagara hosts the Winter Festival of Lights, Toronto has Holiday Fair in the Square, Fredericton has FROSTival, Nova Scotia hosts the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl Festival, Ottawa hosts Winterlude, Québec has its Carnaval de Québec—featuring the famous lifesize Bonhomme (snowman)—and, in the small northern town of Dawson City, there is Thaw di Gras Spring Carnival.

This year, Thaw di Gras will be held from March 18–20. You may be wondering about the name. Yes, it is a word play on the Mardi Gras festival that is held every year in New Orleans, before Ash Wednesday. “Mardi” was changed to “Thaw Di” because the end of March is when the Yukon starts to transition into the spring season. Unlike Mardi Gras, which is known for participants who parade through the streets with colourful costumes and in marching bands, Thaw di Gras centers around creative and slightly quirky winter activities.

Usually there are about 25 different events that take place. Sometimes the events can change between the years. Past events have included adult tricycle racing, tea-boiling competitions, axe-throwing, searching for loonies in a haystack, snowshoe baseball, and human curling (where the rock is replaced with a human being who is slid across the ice), as well as a chili cookoff, dog show, cat show and the One-Dog Pull (where dogs try to haul their weight in dog kibble!). There is also lots of live music, kids activities and a spectacular fireworks show over the Yukon River.

While Dawson City may be one of the smaller towns to host a winter carnival, it is by no means lacking in the fun and excitement department. And the best part is that most events are free! This year’s events have not been announced as of yet. For Thaw di Gras updates, visit www. Dawsoncity.ca. n

Scoring some fun at Dawson City’s Thaw di Gras festival

Workplace Sexual Harassment : There’s No Excuse

The Workplace Sexual Harassment Legal Clinic can provide you with free and confi dential legal advice on workplace sexual harassment matters

If you are a victim, a bystander, someone who wants to make sure that their workplace is a sexual harassment free zone or someone that just wants some questions about workplace sexual harassment answered, the Workplace Sexual Harassment Legal Clinic can help you.

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Clayton’s CAR CARE Tips BATTERY

Batteries store energy that is needed to start your vehicle, there are a few things to remember about batteries. Regular maintenance #1 is making sure the battery is secured properly so it doesn’t vibrate, keeping connections clean and tight at the terminal, with loose connections you may run into problems like vehicles won’t start, alternator not charging properly and could cause battery and alternator failure. Making sure your battery is ready for the colder weather we see in the Yukon like adding a battery pad or battery blanket to keep it warm when the vehicle is not in use; by keeping the battery warm in colder weather you will get the most power out of the battery on start up. Here is a side tip: if you don’t drive your vehicle on a regular basis and are experiencing battery problems, you could ask you local mechanic to install a low amp battery maintainer; this will keep your battery fully charged even when the vehicle is parked for a long time.

PHOTO: Jessie Winter

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