Celebrating The Arrival Of 2023

Source: Adobe Stock Photo.

I spent Christmas down south with family & friends.  They were glad to see me after a six-month absence.  The only noticeable difference was the longer periods of sunlight.  Aside from that, the only other things I did were rest & relax. 

I bought school supplies and mailed them to my Arctic Bay residence before returning to Nunavut.  I didn’t want to be stuck with a large box if I got stranded somewhere.  Due to circumstances outside my control, I had to fly to Iqaluit on December 30, overnight, and then continue to Arctic Bay the following day.  I would celebrate New Years Eve up North.  I did it before in 2020, but this time, I would document the celebrations on camera.

My flights to Arctic Bay went surprisingly well.  Canadian North (formerly First Air) has developed an unpleasant reputation in the last few years for delaying and cancelling many flights due to weather, crew, and/or mechanical issues.  Thankfully, none of that happened.  I quickly unpacked and got my place ready for the new year.  I also made sure my camera battery was fully charged.

I’ve been told numerous times how the people of Arctic Bay celebrate the new year.  Fireworks are shot into the sky and a large vehicle parade snakes its way through the community.  I finally had the opportunity to document these events on camera.  I would take photographs and possibly video clips from the top of a hill overlooking the town.  King George V Mountain is too tall & far away. 

The temperature in Arctic Bay at the end of December is really cold.  I dressed as if I was going on a land expedition, putting on many layers of clothing.  I assumed I would be spending at least an hour sitting still and taking photographs, so I needed to be dressed appropriately.  I also made sure to bring a machete in case I needed to swing it at a hungry polar bear. 

I fired up my new skidoo and drove towards the Co-op store in the centre of town.  Midnight was only minutes away.  I drove behind the Co-op and continued up a hill, avoiding large rocks and trying to keep the machine on snow.  Unfortunately, there were too many exposed rocks halfway up and I was forced to park my skidoo and walk the rest of the way.  I looked at my watch and saw that it was midnight.  I was late.  “Happy New Year,” I said to myself.

People leaving the community hall.

I used a flashlight to guide me to a good spot on top of the hill.  I sat on the snow and watched many people exiting the community centre and cars honking their horns.  There must have been games happening prior to the final countdown.  Fireworks began shooting into the night sky in all parts of town and out on the ice.  I took out my camera and began taking pictures.

Vehicles begin making their way to Uluksan Point.

Vehicles drive to Uluksan Point.

Cars, trucks, skidoos, and ATVs drove out onto the ice and proceeded to Uluksan Point, the southwest tip of the bay.  This act alone looked like a parade.  I quickly deduced that the point would be the starting point of the parade.  The people who didn’t have vehicles stayed at the community hall, ventured out onto the ice, or walked home. 

I looked around to make sure there was no polar bear stalking me.  I doubted one would travel this far up a hill, but you never know.  Thankfully, I was alone.

Vehicle parade begins.

The vehicle parade began after some time.  It was a long line of bright lights in a sea of darkness.  Some late vehicles drove up to join the procession.  The lead vehicle drove in an “S” pattern in the middle of the frozen bay and the vehicles behind it did the same.  Cars, trucks, skidoos, and ATVs all working together.  I tried to film the parade as it got closer to town, but my camera indicated that my battery was too low on power.  I was restricted to taking photographs.  That’s the problem with extreme cold: it drains your battery.

Turns out the lead vehicle was a skidoo; so were many of the immediate followers.  Four-wheeled vehicles were at the back of the parade.  The skidoos drove into town and proceeded down the main street along the shoreline. 

Skidoo parade.

Thirty cars & trucks parked in a line near the shoreline with their high beams on.  I assumed they did this for pictures.  I saw a few people walking around the vehicles, but I was too far away to see what they were doing.  I continued taking pictures, trying to get the “perfect shot” of the line.  Suddenly, someone began shooting fireworks and I tried several times to get a shot of a firework launching into the sky.  I think it was on the fifth attempt I managed to time it just right and capture the launch of a purple firework.  I quickly reviewed the photo and was stunned.  I think I just took a really good shot, I thought.  I wouldn’t know for sure until I got home.

The cars & trucks eventually drove off the ice and continued through town, following the same route as the skidoos.  I clearly heard the skidoo engines revving and the cars & trucks honking their horns.  A few more fireworks were launched into the sky.

I started walking back to my skidoo when the vehicle parade finished.  The time was 1:15am.  I turned my skidoo around and slowly drove down the hill towards the Co-op.  I moved onto a main street and drove home.  I removed my heavy Canada Goose outer clothing and proceeded to review the pictures I took on my computer.

The Perfect Shot.

Sure enough, the picture I took of the firework behind the line of vehicles looked really good.  It looked perfect: everything & everyone were in the rights spots.  I posted it on social media and it received praise from my friends.  They also shared it.  I took a chance and submitted my photo to Nunatsiaq News, hoping they would feature it on their website.  They did!  I also included a description for them to use in the caption.  Thank you, Nunatsiaq for featuring my photograph!    

All in all, the whole experience was worthwhile and a great way to start the new year.  If I’m in Arctic Bay for next New Years, I think I’ll participate in the vehicle parade.

Happy New Year everyone!  Hopefully 2023 will be better than 2022!