Fur Rondy festival offers full schedule of winter fun

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The Fur Rendezvous competition — identified higher because the Fur Rondy — has been an Alaskan custom since 1935 and was initially held as a 3-day competition celebrating winter sports activities and Alaska tradition. Over the many years it’s grown to incorporate a wide range of actions and occasions, from ice sculpture competitions to expertise reveals and curling tournaments.

A few of the competition’s most fun and entertaining occasions will start this weekend and proceed into the primary weekend of March, coinciding with the ceremonial begin of the Iditarod Path Sled Canine Race on March 4.

A couple of occasions are scheduled to be held on greater than sooner or later. together with the Beginner Photograph Contest, Rondy Melodrama, Fur Rondy Carnival, and Alaska State Snow Sculpture competitors.

Beginner Photograph Contest – Artists from throughout Alaska submitted images for judging previous to the occasion, and people attending Fur Rondy can go to the Midtown Mall to see successful entries alongside 172 pictures that have been chosen for exhibition. Greater than 250 images might be on show although March 5.

Rondy Melodrama – Held on the forty ninth State Brewing Firm Heritage Theatre, the thirty second version of the Rondy Melodrama. One of many competition’s perennial sellout occasions, the melodrama is a present written, produced, and starring members of Alaska Sound Celebration, Anchorage’s personal award-winning acapella group. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 6 p.m. on Sundays. Matinee reveals will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturdays and a couple of p.m. on Sundays by means of March 5.

Fur Rondy Carnival – Enjoyable for the entire household could be discovered on the Fur Rondy Carnival, with amusement rides, carnival video games, and meals favorites like sizzling canines, cotton sweet and extra. The carnival might be open afternoons till at the least 7 p.m. till Saturday March 4, closing at 6 p.m. on Sunday March 5. Particular reductions can be found on Army Appreciation evening and Rondy Children Day.

Alaska State Snow Sculpture Competitors – Ice artists might be sculpting their frozen masterpieces all through the competition on Ship Creek Avenue, throughout from the Consolation Inn. Judging for the competitors will happen between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26, with the sculptures on view each day between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. till March 5.

Friday, Feb. 24

Rondy Grand Parade – A practice since 1951, organizations and golf equipment from Southcentral Alaska might be gathering to parade down fifth and sixth avenues at 10:30 a.m.

Rondy Open World Championship Sled Canine Races – Mushers will go away the beginning line at 4th Avenue and D Avenue in one of the crucial anticipated dash races in North America in pursuit of a win — and a handbag valued at $55,000. The occasion will start at 11:30 a.m. with groups beginning the race at midday.

Miners and Trappers Nation Jam – Billed as “A celebration south of the Arctic,” the Nation Jam on the Egan Heart might be headlined by Shane Smith and the Saints. Doorways open at 6:30 p.m. and music begins at 8 p.m. Company should be 21 years of age to attend the occasion, with $55 tickets obtainable on the door.

Saturday, Feb. 25

Frostbite Footrace and Costume Enjoyable Run – Runners will meet on the Fifth Avenue Skywalk for the 5K race and a couple of.5K enjoyable run. Prizes are awarded for costumed solo runners, pairs, households or teams, and companies. The enjoyable begins at 9:30 a.m. and day-of registration might be obtainable.

Rondy Open World Championship Sled Canine Races – The second day of racing will begin at 4th Avenue and D Avenue at 11:30 a.m. with groups leaving the beginning line at midday.

The Nice Alaska Expertise Competitors – Alaskans over the age of 6 might be showcasing their abilities onstage on the state’s largest expertise competitors. Preliminaries might be held on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 2 p.m. to five p.m.

Outhouse Races – It’s precisely what it feels like — members will run, carry or in any other case locomote with an outhouse. Groups might be divided into two divisions, with prizes awarded for the primary by means of third place finishers and the crimson lantern. The bathrooms take off at 4 p.m. on 4th Avenue between E and F Streets.

Massive Fats Trip – When you’re extra into bikes than outhouses, the Massive Fats Trip takes off at 3 p.m. and can take riders on a loop protecting Downtown Anchorage, the Tony Knowles Coastal Path, and Westchester Lagoon.

Sunday, Feb. 26

Rondy Snowshoe Softball – Convey your glove — classic snowshoes might be supplied — and

Alaska Trapper’s Affiliation Fur Public sale –

Rondy Open World Championship Sled Canine Races – Sunday would be the remaining day for one of the crucial anticipated dash races in North America, with mushers racing to be the one who takes dwelling the purse valued at $55,000. The occasion will start at 11:30 a.m. with groups beginning the race at midday.

Minors and Nappers Celebration – The Anchorage Museum might be internet hosting this occasion for the littlest Alaskans, with the prospect to pan for gold, gown up like a sourdough, and even attend a toddler dance social gathering. Actions run from 1 p.m. to three:30 p.m., with DJ Spencer Lee dropping baby-sized beats within the Atrium from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday, March 1

Charlotte Jensen Native Arts Market – This assortment of Alaska Native creations might be open March 1 although 5 on the Dimond Heart. Leather-based items, beaded earrings, carvings and extra might be obtainable to each buy and to admire.

Thursday, March 2

World Championship Outside Hockey Event – Seize your stick and heat up your slapshot for an epic out of doors hockey match for all ages. Video games might be held on the Bonnie Cusack Memorial Outside Rinks.

Friday, March 3

Blanket Toss – This conventional Alaska Native celebration was added to the Fur Rondy schedule in 1951 and is likely one of the solely methods most individuals will ever see this high-flying occasion exterior of the Arctic Circle. Flights take off from Third Avenue and E Avenue beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Alaska Cornhole Ice Breaker Event – Heat up your tossing abilities the day earlier than the state championships, or come for an informal sport of cornhole. The occasion might be held at Moose Lodge 1534. Registration opens at 6:30 p.m. and the entry payment is $10 for singles, $20 for pairs.

Blizzard Bash Friday Live performance – A free live performance at sixth and F Avenue’s Live performance Plaza might be headlined by Woodrow beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 4

Westchester Household Skate / Skate with the Critters – Strap in your skates and hit the ice at Westchester Lagoon for this well-liked and family-friendly occasion held at Westchester Lagoon’s skating space. Mascots from round Anchorage will skate for an hour beginning at 2:30 p.m.

State of Alaska Cover and Horn Public sale – Quite a lot of superb furs and horns might be up for public sale at this occasion that harkens again to the times when the fur business was one in all Alaska’s largest. The public sale might be held at third Avenue and E Avenue beginning at 11 a.m.

Working of the Reindeer – One of many signature occasions of the competition, the Working of the Reindeer will happen at 4 p.m. on 4th Avenue at G Avenue. Individuals can join by paying a $35 entry payment and naturally, signing a waiver.

Alaska Cornhole Championships – The most effective gamers within the state might be available to attempt for the title of high cornholer in Alaska. Occasion begins at 10 a.m.

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