The first Yellowknife Colour Run, where people of all ages can run to the finish line while covered in brightly coloured powder, is coming up next month.
The newly formed Yellowknife Munch, Sip & Paint Carnival organization will host the run. All participants receive a medal for completing the three-kilometre course, whether they walk, jog or run.
Entrants who take part on Saturday, September 20 will start at City Hall and finish at the multiplex.
After every kilometre there will be stations with water and more coloured powder, so participants can “stay hydrated and coloured,” organizers said.
“We are aiming to make it one of the trademark events of the summer going forward,” said organizing team member Tham Ncube.
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Ncube said he and others were inspired to create this kind of event in Yellowknife after attending colour runs in other cities.
Events like this use natural, non-toxic powder made of corn starch and food-grade dyes.
Originally, the idea of a Sip, Munch and Paint Carnival was supposed to be a much larger event. However, there proved to be not enough time to realize some of the organizers’ grander ambitions so this year’s event is on a smaller scale, with hopes to hold a larger festival in 2026.
“There’ll be a DJ playing music, there’ll be entertainment for the kids and food vendors, so we’re essentially creating a similar carnival atmosphere,” Ncube said.
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Yellowknife Munch, Sip & Paint Carnival was recently established in part to bring more summer festivals to the city.
“Our aim is to have festivals that show the diversity of the city of Yellowknife, as well as just having fun during the summer,” Ncube said.
Tickets for the event are available via Eventbrite. They cost $5 for children and $10 for adults, with proceeds donated to Inclusion NWT.
After the run, a free public event at the multiplex will include food vendors, dancing, music, bouncy castles and a foam party courtesy of YK Foam Buddies.
“Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make unforgettable memories and paint the town red, blue, yellow, and every colour in between,” organizers stated in a press release.
