Alaska State Fair
Do you want to see locally grown, 70-pound carrots, 100-pound
cabbages, monster trucks, fireworks, or concerts by some
of the top headliners? Or do you want to go through a huge
"Made in Alaska" food and crafts court, go on
carnival rides, send your kids to the Wizard's Challenge
fun-filled tent, or see the Cirque Equinox circus performers?
Come and enjoy these and many other attractions at this
fun-filled event.
Downtown Saturday Market
With more than 300 booths to explore, 10,000-15,000 people
shop here each week to find: antiques, books, Alaskan-grown
vegetables, carvings, paintings, photography, ceramics,
homemade candles and soaps, home-grown spices and mushrooms,
food stands (from ice cream and fudge to smoked salmon and
reindeer jerky), live performers, jewelry makers and more.
This is the place to come on a Saturday to find a great
deal, enjoy some entertainment, try a multitude of great
foods and enjoy a festival atmosphere.
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
With its varying route dictated by the current snow pack,
this renowned course covers more than 1,100 miles and calls
to dog sled competitors from all over the world. This race
began as a celebration of the successful fight for lives
and the relay team that managed to deliver Diphtheria vaccine
to the Nome, Alaska, residents. It has progressed from a
camping lark to a fast-paced, exhausting journey. Recent
winners have finished in just less than nine days. No admission
is charged for viewing the ceremonial start in Anchorage's
downtown streets.
Earthquake Park
When the "Good Friday" earthquake rocked Anchorage
in March of 1964, the area that is now the park was an affluent
residential area on the bluffs above Cook Inlet. The 9.2
earthquake dropped these homes into 30-foot crevasses and
destroyed this entire area. Developed as a park years later,
it carries monuments and reader boards with information
on the great quake. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail winds
through the park.
Blues on the Green Festival
Each year music lovers flock to this annual festival featuring
top entertainment that happens every June. Music and dancing
performances by Indigenous Touring, Mighty Untouchables,
Backstreet Blues Band and many more played in years past.
Other artists have included Bo Diddley, Otis Rush, Too Slim
and others. Forty local vendors will sell food and merchandise
to the usual crowds of more than 5,000 people.
Great Alaska Shootout
An event that locals always look forward to, the Shootout
is the best of basketball within Alaska. The 8,700-seat
Sullivan Arena is always sold out early and packed to capacity
as spectators head to the courts to watch four days of sparring
for the ball and basket. Teams on the schedule have included:
Loyola Marymount, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Northern Arizona,
Villanova, Oklahoma State, Wyoming and University of Anchorage,
Alaska.
Anchorage Fur Rendezvous
This is one of the largest winter festivals held in North
America. It brings cheer and merriment to its revelers,
thereby breaking up the long, depressing, dark days of winter.
Since 1936, this organized 10-day festival has provided
levity and fun. Some events worth seeing are: the Women's
Championship sled-dog sled race, the costumed Miners' and
Trappers' Ball, snow-sculpting contests, snowshoe softball
and oyster-shucking. Arts and crafts exhibits, concerts
and more take place thoughout the festival. Call or see
the Web site for full list of activities.
Alaska Native Heritage Center
A remarkable facility because of its programs, life-sized
displays of villages, craft-making workstations and friendly,
knowledgeable Alaskan Native staff, this museum presents
11 distinct cultural groups of Alaska within its 26 acres.
This is a must-see for anyone interested in Alaska's history
and Native peoples. Located 10 minutes east of downtown,
it is edged by the Chugach Mountains. Expect to be entranced
by storytelling, drumming, hands-on crafts and Native dancers.
A gift store and cafe are onsite. Admission varies by season
and event; call for details.
Anchorage Museum of History & Art
The main attraction at this multi-galleried museum is the
Alaska Gallery with more than 1,000 pieces of history, artwork
and photography by Alaskans. Five other galleries are housed
in the downtown-area museum, showcasing a variety of temporary
exhibits from all over the world and a Children's Gallery.
This is a fascinating museum to visit. During the months
of June through August, see educational evening programs
Moose's Tooth Pub and Pizzeria
Start your meal off with a roasted garlic head with beer-batter
bread (USD6) served with spreadable gorgonzola cheese. Then
press on to the choices of pizza and salads. Try the Smoked
Salmon Cream Cheese Pizza, white pizza (Greek style with
artichoke hearts, feta and mushrooms) or the Chicken Picante
(USD14-26). Drinks feature home-brewed root beer for the
kids and kid in you, and award-winning Ales and Lagers for
the adults
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