DAWSON CITY – For the public at large, the locals and tourists who haven't bought tickets to the Commissioner's Ball, the highlight of the evening is probably the opportunity to see about 100 guests in their period and fancy formal wear lined up in front of the Palace Grand Theatre, a grand backdrop for any sort of photograph.

Last Saturday evening's posing was a little more complicated, as CBC North was on hand to record everyone yelling out, "Happy Canada Day!” for a telecast a few weeks from now.

There were several takes of the group at large.

Then Commissioner Doug Phillips took three tries to get his lines out properly. That left him fair game for emcee Gabriela Sgaga after everyone had settled down inside for the formal part of the evening.

"The host of this ball is the Commissioner, the Honourable Doug Phillips, who I want to compliment on his acting skills,” she said.

"You did very well out there. We have a blooper reel now,” she added to wild applause.

Phillips and Sgaga introduced several guests during the evening.

They included Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Deputy Chief Clara Van Bibber; Dawson Mayor Wayne Potoroka; Bob Cameron, the administrator of the Yukon, and wife Lois; David Laxton, the Speaker of the legislative assembly; former commissioners Geraldine Van Bibber, Jack Cable and Ken McKinnon; RCMP Chief Supt. Peter Clark and wife Jody; 2013 Rendezvous Queen Kim Solonick and her husband; Mr. and Mrs. Yukon, Wilf and Hilda Tuck; Phillips' sister, Normalee Craig, and husband Jim; the commissioner's daughter, Natasha, and husband Al Hammond; and the commissioner's daughter-in-law, Cathy Stokes, and grandson Joe.

Also singled out for mention were members of the Finton family – Andrew and Heather Finton, Andrew's mother, Merlene Sparry (who was celebrating her 80th birthday while attending her first ball), her other children, six grandchildren, two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law and one granddaughter-in-law.

This is the second year the Commissioner's office has planned and run the ball, though Phillips acknowledged the participation of the Klondike Visitors Association, the organization that founded the event back in 1973.

Phillips noted that this year is a big one for anniversaries: the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Yukon College; the 40th anniversary of the presentation of the Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow land claims blueprint in Ottawa; the 30th anniversary of the Yukon Quest and the 25th anniversary of the Yukon Languages Act.

It's also the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Umbrella Final Agreement and the 10th anniversary of the Devolution Transfer Agreement and the new Yukon Act.

"It's a great year to celebrate them all,” Phillips concluded, adding, "The scary thing about all those anniversaries that go way back is that I was here for all of them.

"These anniversaries are evidence of some of the huge strides that Yukoners have taken together since we became a territory 115 years ago. Those who came before us built the territory that we enjoy today, just as now Yukoners are helping build the Yukon of tomorrow.”

Phillips has been showcasing young musical talent since he took office. This year's ball featured vocal and piano performances by Ellen Thompson and Kayleigh Poelman.

Young people for the Commissioner's Youth Showcase are recommended by a volunteer committee comprised of Michele Emslie, Jessica Vellenga, Edith Belanger and Kaylee Steele.

"Kayleigh and Ellen, you have made Yukon so proud,” Phillips said as they concluded.

He presented them with a specially designed certificate and "a small token of appreciation which will help you pursue your musical careers.”

The evening's formal highlight was the presentation of the very last Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal in the Yukon to Claire Festel.

She came to the Yukon in 1977 to live in Keno City and eventually moved to Whitehorse.

Working at a variety of jobs over the years, she came to be executive director of the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon and worked with the YKnet operating society, which spearheaded Internet use in the territory.

"She's been a Yukon booster wherever she went,” Phillips said.

"She's always been interested in Yukon's amazing history and along with local artist, Val Hodgson, produced (the book) Remarkable Yukon Women.”

The Commissioner also made a number of small presentations to his staff, Lindsey Hamilton and Lillian Loponen, and to Sgaga, who had also assisted with the tea earlier in the day.

Following these formalities, everyone was invited to the buffet tables in the lobby for a selection of 18 different hors d'oeuvres and a variety of assorted sweets. The ball was catered by the Yukon College Food Services group.

Music for the dance was provided by Dawson's own River Bends band.