Hot ticket sales jumpstart Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous

The 2016 Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous festival is just getting startedand already, tickets for many of the events are sold out.

"I haven't seen it go this quick, ever," saidRendezvous organizer Colin Fenerty.

TheNatalie MacMaster fiddle concertsold out weeks ago, followed by thetwo pub crawls, Queen's Tea and burlesque show. Many other events have limited tickets left.

Officially, the annual festival now in its 52nd year kicked off last night with apub crawl and the first night of debauchery included theSourdough Sam competition, whenmen lip sync and danceto be named"primo Yukon male."

Many of the non-ticketed events, such asthe famous flour packing competition, accept entries up until 30 minutes prior to the event, butfor the first time this year, early registration is required for the pet events.

"The pet parade and dog howling contest havegotten so big," Fenertysays. "To get them all to sign up the day of, was a mess!"

The deadline to register for those events is Wednesday.

For the "cheechakos" those who haven't yet endured their first Yukon winterthere are rules that must be followed during Rendezvous week to avoid gettingarrested by the Keystone Kops.

"If you are not wearing a garter, you risk being thrown in jail," Fenerty warns the women.And for the men, beards arethe safer option:"I wouldn't recommend shaving for the next couple of days."

There are other ways to participate, too. Fenerty says Rendezvous is still looking for volunteers.