The four-day celebration of Native culture and unique athletic competitions opens with four events today — the toe kick finals at 11 a.m.; kneel jump finals at noon; one-hand reach preliminaries at 2 p.m., and the 5-kilometer Race of the Torch at 4 p.m.
They are among 15 events scheduled through Saturday that represent games of skill, balance and endurance which have been practiced for ages by indigenous people of the Arctic.
The toe kick, for example, involves a contestant standing at a line and then jumping forward to attempt to kick a small stick backwards while he keeps both of his feet together.
In the kneel jump, a participant sits on the floor with his feet up and then jumps forward as far as possible and lands on both feet.
The two events mimic the prowess, balance and quickness needed to move across that’s breaking up on a river or a sea.
The one-hand reach requires strength as well as balance and prowess. It requires the athlete to balance on his hands with at least one elbow tucked under the lower abdominal area.
He then reaches up to touch a suspended target, usually a ball, and he must then get that hand back to the floor before any part of his body touches the floor.
The opening ceremonies begin at 6 tonight, with a march of athletes, dance contestants and a Native Veterans color guard.
Later, following welcoming speeches by North Pole Mayor Doug Isaacson, Fairbanks Mayor Terry Strle and Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Luke Hopkins, there will be a lighting of the seal oil lamps.
The ceremonies include a medals ceremony for the Race of the Torch, kneel jump and toe kick. There will also be a demonstration of the toe kick.
The opening festivities continue with the women’s blanket toss preliminaries; dance group performances; Miss WEIO Pageant contestants introductions and talent show; the one-hand reach finals and the fish-cutting contest finals, which may be conducted depending on the availability of fish.
A complete schedule of events and more information on WEIO is available at its Website, www.weio.org.
One of WEIO’s most popular events, the ear pull, takes place at 2 p.m. Friday.
The tug-of-war of the ears involves two people sitting down and face each other with twine looped around each other’s ears — right ear to right ear, left to left. It demonstrates the ability to withstand pain, which is sometimes necessary to survive the harsh realities of the North.
There is no admission charge for the day time events. Tickets for the evening sessions are $10 for adults and $8 for elders and children.
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