Alaska

Here’s your guide to Alaska’s summer fairs and festivals in 2022

Published

3 years ago

May 25, 2022

Here’s your guide to Alaska’s summer fairs and festivals in 2022

Fireworks burst over the boat harbor in Seward at midnight on July 4, 2015. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Regardless that it’s felt like summer season for a lot of Could, Memorial Day weekend often alerts the unofficial begin to the season in Alaska. For a lot of, summer season means fishing, tenting and loads of time within the outdoor. But it surely additionally means attending the festivals and gala’s sprinkled all through the forty ninth state.

From Kodiak to Hen and factors in between, right here’s a information to 2022 summer season festivals taking place throughout Alaska.

Crab Fest: Kodiak, Could 26-30

The Kodiak Crab Fest and Parade contains 5 days of actions and occasions to rejoice the group in Kodiak. The parade will likely be on Saturday, Could 28, however there will likely be dwell music, contests and actions all day, on daily basis from Thursday till Monday.

Bluegrass followers spent three days on the Trapper Creek Bluegrass Pageant having fun with the music, dancing, tenting and hanging out with fellow followers in 2015. (Bob Hallinen / ADN archive)

Trapper Creek Bluegrass Pageant: Trapper Creek, Could 27-29

The Trapper Creek Bluegrass Pageant, hosted at Boot’s Bison Ranch, is a weekend of folks enjoyable and bluegrass music. Attendance will likely be restricted and tickets are $100, which incorporates tenting for all three days.

Nice Alaska Craft Beer and Dwelling Beer Pageant: Haines, Could 27-28 (Offered out)

The Nice Alaska Beerfest options beer from throughout Alaska and the Yukon. Friday would be the house brew contest (registration required; not open to the general public), and Saturday will begin with the Slammin’ Salmon Enjoyable Run, adopted by the beer tasting. Don’t overlook to deliver money for meals.

Spenard Jazz Fest: Anchorage, Could 31-June 5

The fifteenth annual Spenard Jazz Fest will likely be a chance to expertise up-and-coming native artists, in addition to see professionals from inside and outdoors the jazz group. Tickets can be found for buy for particular person concert events, however members get free and discounted live performance admission. There will likely be per week of music and reveals, together with free First Friday concert events June 3 on the Anchorage Museum.

Yakutat Tern Pageant: Yakutat, June 2-5

The eleventh annual Yakutat Tern Pageant is a celebration of Yakutat, artwork, and the one of many largest nesting colonies of Aleutian terns, Arctic terns and the remainder of the large number of fowl species that nest in or close to Yakutat. There will likely be 4 days of family-friendly actions and occasions, and though there are not any registration charges this yr, you need to RSVP on the web site forward of time.

Sitka Music Pageant: Sitka, June 3-26

Are you a fan of chamber music and classical performances? There are already 18 concert events scheduled for the Sitka Music Pageant’s 51st season this yr. Take a look at their web site for tickets and extra data.

Society of Inventive Anachronism Knights “Sir Cyrus Aurelius” David Wilson, left, and “Sir Soren j Alborgh” Leon Ayers II, proper, battle in entrance of a crowd gathered on the 3 Barons Renaissance Truthful at Tozier Observe in 2015. (Invoice Roth / ADN)

3 Barons Renaissance Truthful: Anchorage, June 4-5 and 11-12

The three Barons Renaissance Truthful will likely be in Anchorage for 2 weekends this yr, with loads of crafts, actions, contests, meals, and way more. Common admission tickets are $10.

Colony Days: Palmer, June 10-12

Colony Days is Palmer’s summer season celebration for the entire household. There will likely be races and contests, carnivals, farmers markets and far way more. Take a look at their web site to your alternative to win prizes in cornhole, or maybe by baking with rhubarb.

Chickenstock: Hen, June 10-11 (Offered out)

Woodstock is out, Chickenstock is in! The sixteenth annual Chickenstock Music Pageant will characteristic Alaskan artists, native meals and craft brews, video games, crafts and many extra to fill the weekend. Go forward and see how issues are finished in Hen, Alaska.

Kenai River Pageant: Soldotna, June 10-12

Soldotna Creek Park will likely be house to cubicles, crafts, swag, and dwell music all weekend. Take a look at the Children’ Zone, browse the Alaska Artisan Market, graze from meals distributors and extra.

Final Frontier Theatre Convention: Valdez, June 11-18

Theater youngsters, unite: Prince William Sound School is internet hosting the annual Final Frontier Theatre Convention in Valdez. Applications embody the Fringe Pageant and the Monologue Workshop. Register on their web site now.

Alaska Celtic Pipe and Drums performs in the course of the 2021 Bear Paw Pageant parade in Eagle River. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

Bear Paw Pageant: Chugiak-Eagle River, June 13-17

The Bear Paw competition is a good way for the Chugiak and Eagle River group to come back collectively and rejoice summer season. The seller courtroom is full, so there’ll loads of meals and merchandise to browse, and there will likely be carnival rides Thursday by Sunday. There may be additionally a raffle to win two Alaska Airways tickets.

Seldovia Summer season Solstice Music Pageant: Seldovia, June 16-19

The Seldovia Music Pageant may have artist workshops, buskers, open mics, bonfire jams and extra. It’s a celebration of Alaska summer season, the countless days of solstice and the great thing about Kachemak Bay.

Moose Move Summer season Solstice Pageant: Moose Move, June 17-19

Moose Move may have distributors, music, artwork, meals, and enjoyable for summer season solstice. Have a good time the daylight in Moose Move.

Sunset Solstice Pageant: Anchorage, June 17-19

Williwaw Social is internet hosting an enormous music competition for the summer season solstice this yr. The outside stage at Sixth Avenue and F Road will likely be house to concert events, meals distributors and all-around enjoyable for 3 days straight. There will likely be an under-21 part inside full view of the stage, in addition to a 21-and-over moist part. The competition contains reveals by rapper A$AP Ferg, digital duo Hippie Sabotage and native artists like Frozen Founders and Bethlehem Shalom. Tickets begin at $79.

Midnight Solar Pageant: Fairbanks, June 18

Fairbanks is aware of the best way to rejoice solstice proper. There will likely be 12 hours of leisure for the hundreds of people that pack downtown Fairbanks to benefit from the longest day of the yr. Head north for dwell music, video games and distributors galore.

Nariah Morgan, 9, and Janya Evans, 14, carry out a dance with Sankofa Dance Theater at a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 13, 2020 on the Northway Mall in Anchorage. Juneteenth celebrates the ending of slavery in america. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

Juneteenth: Anchorage, June 19

Juneteenth, or June 19, is a commemoration of the tip of slavery in america. Juneteenth will likely be acknowledged in Anchorage throughout a gathering on the Delaney Park Strip, with adjoining occasions taking place across the metropolis.

Scottish Highland Video games: Palmer, June 25-26

The Alaska Scottish Highland Video games are a celebration of Scottish heritage and traditions. Cease by the Alaska State Fairgrounds to compete within the video games or to spectate. There will even be conventional music and naturally, meals. Discounted advance tickets can be found now.

Forest Truthful: Girdwood, July 1-3

The annual Forest Truthful in Girdwood is all about native artwork and artists, hand-crafted and home made items, and the gathering of the group of Girdwood. Parking is proscribed, so automotive pooling is inspired, and there will likely be a shuttle. There isn’t any admission payment, no canines, no politics and no spiritual orders. Public tenting is prohibited in the course of the Forest Truthful.

Racers make their technique to the highest of the mountain in the course of the Mount Marathon Ladies’s Race on July 7, 2021 in Seward. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

Fourth of July and Mount Marathon: Seward, July 1-4

There won’t be a greater Alaska summer season duo than the city of Seward and the Fourth of July. Seward will likely be filled with excessive spirits, competition cubicles, fireworks and barely out-of-their-mind athletes on the weekend of the Fourth. Mount Marathon, the annual footrace up and again down the steep and rocky slopes, will likely be going down on Monday, July 4.

Fourth of July Celebration and Parade: Anchorage, July 4

Admittedly, the drive to Seward can turn into a bit of irritating for the Fourth, with visitors flooding the freeway. For these with out at the very least six hours of audiobooks downloaded, Anchorage is comfortable to rejoice with you. The Fourth of July Parade begins downtown at 10 a.m. After the parade, there will likely be a competition on the Delaney Park Strip lasting till 10 p.m., with rides, video games, meals and enjoyable.

Fairbanks Summer season Arts Pageant: Fairbanks, July 3-31

All through the month of July, there will likely be over 200 workshops and occasions in Fairbanks for the Summer season Arts Pageant. Registration is now open.

Copper River Salmon Jam: Cordova, July 15-16

The Copper River Salmon Jam may have music elevating cash for the humanities in Cordova, Salmon Runs to get you shifting, youngsters actions, and naturally, salmon cooked each which method. Take a look at the Salmon Jam to assist the group in Cordova in whichever method most closely fits you.

Golden Days: Fairbanks, July 23

The celebration of the founding of Fairbanks dates again to 1952 and touts occasions for all ages. Included within the 2022 version is the most important parade in Alaska, a avenue truthful and a rubber ducky race alongside the Chena River.

Again to Bluegrass Pageant: McGrath, July 23-24

This annual competition helps KSKO, the native radio station. This yr’s competition options Nothin’ However Bother, Todd Grebe and Chilly Nation plus Wave Practice that includes Jim and Mary Odden.

Southeast Alaska State Truthful: Haines, July 28-31

The Truthful has a great deal of showcases, contests and competitions, from horseshoes to a parade and a wearable artwork evaluate. Leisure choices embody Skagway band New Twin and magical entertainer Andrew Nadon, who additionally hails from Skagway. Blackwater Railroad Firm and the Lack Household additionally present musical choices on the truthful.

Ozomatli, a Latin-influenced dance band, performed late into the evening in the course of the second day of Salmonstock (now referred to as Salmonfest) in 2014. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

Salmonfest: Ninilchik, Aug. 5-7

Headliners embody Umphrey’s McGee, Shakey Graves and Rising Appalachia. Salmonfest is a three-day annual music competition held in Ninilchik, centered round fish, love, and music. There will likely be concert events, a smoked salmon tremendous bowl, actions and video games for the entire household. Tickets begin at $85, and there will likely be free shuttle between close by campgrounds and the competition grounds.

Alaska Soulfest: Kenai, Aug. 12-14

The Alaska Soulfest will likely be a full moon celebration, with yoga, music, distributors and cubicles. There will likely be regionally sourced meals, sound baths, hemp demonstrations and extra. Early fowl tickets begin at $75.

Alaska State Truthful: Palmer, Aug. 19-Sept. 5

The Alaska State Truthful is an annual custom that includes concert events, rides, video games, distributors and meals. Featured artists embody Caamp, Chris Janson, Toby Mac, Rise Towards, Barenaked Girls and extra. There will even be contests and reveals in artwork, pictures, crafts, crops, flowers and livestock. Tickets obtainable now.

Members share mushrooms that they discovered throughout a foray for teenagers in Girdwood on Sept. 3, 2021. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

Fungus Truthful: Girdwood, Sept. 3-4

The fifteenth annual Girdwood Fungus Truthful will likely be again this yr with alternatives for training and appreciation of Alaska’s fungi and forests. Extra data obtainable in July.

Fungus Pageant: Cordova, Sept. 11th of September

Cordova’s sixteenth annual Fungus Pageant will likely be all about foraging and discovering the hidden treasures of the earth. There will likely be instructional alternatives, workshops, youngsters actions, and extra. Extra data obtainable nearer to the occasion.

Seward Music and Arts Pageant: Seward, TBA

The Seward Music and Arts Pageant is a downtown competition and celebration of the music and humanities group in Alaska. It’s additionally one of the simplest ways to wrap up a contented summer season of group and festivals. Test the web site for updates.

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Alaska

Strong winds destroy deer shelter at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Published

2 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Strong winds destroy deer shelter at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Strong winds in the Portage area on Monday destroyed a shelter building at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center that was used to house Sitka deer. The conservation center says 80 mph winds swept through Portage Valley.

The conservation center says no animals were injured, but they are quickly raising money to rebuild. Their goal is $30,000, and as of Thursday morning, they have already fundraised over $26,000.

Sales & Marketing Director Nicole Geils said, “The shelter was in their habitat. It was essential for providing them a safe Haven during harsh weather. It’s a really useful area for when we’re feeding and doing enrichment with the deer and it’s also a safe space for recovery after medical procedures when needed.”

Executive Director Sarah Howard described how she learned about the damage.

“We had a staff member that radioed, ‘The shelter’s gone!’ And a couple of us were at least able to make a little light of the situation. Like, did it go to Oz? And thankfully, it didn’t go too far, and the deer were okay,” Howard said.

The conservation center is still accepting donations through their website.

Strong winds destroy deer shelter at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center(Courtesy Nicole Geils)

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com

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Alaska

After school funding dispute, 4 Alaska districts move on without federally promised money

Published

9 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

After school funding dispute, 4 Alaska districts move on without federally promised money

Until last month, the U.S. Department of Education said Alaska underfunded four of its largest school districts by $17.5 million. As a result of a recent agreement, the schools in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Kenai Peninsula Borough won’t directly receive any of that money.

However, two of the districts said they weren’t counting on receiving the money as they planned their current budgets, while the other districts either didn’t respond or declined to comment.

The $17.5 million is part of COVID-era pandemic funding, and until last month, how Alaska distributed that funding was at the heart of a years-long dispute between federal and state officials, and whether it was spent fairly.

The state repeatedly defended their school spending plan, while the federal government asserted the state failed to comply with guidelines and reduced spending on these districts with high-need or high-poverty areas, and withheld the sum they said was owed.

Federal officials said the state reduced spending to the Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage school districts by up to $11.89 million in the 2021 to 2022 school year, and all four districts by $5.56 million the following year.

Kenai Superintendent Clayton Holland said the district never budgeted for this particular federal COVID funding, as they were aware of the dispute.

“Had it gone through, we would have welcomed it, as we are facing a potential deficit of $17 million for next year” and have nearly exhausted the balance of funding the district can spend without restrictions, Holland said.

Anchorage School District officials did not respond to requests for comment.

The dispute came to an end on Dec. 20, when the federal department told the state it was releasing the funding, citing a review of the state’s one-time funding boosts in the last two budgets, and considered the matter closed.

Alaska Education Commissioner Deena Bishop led the state’s defense effort, including appealing the penalty, and applauded the move by the federal Department of Education. She said the state always followed the state law governing school funding.

“The department said, ‘We don’t agree with your formula, you should have given these guys more.’ And we said, ‘No, no, no. Only our Legislature can make the law about our formula. That’s why we stood behind it,” she said in an interview Tuesday.

The dispute centered around what was known as a “maintenance of equity” provision of a federal COVID aid law, which banned states from dropping per-pupil spending during the pandemic. Bishop said that decreases in funding in the four districts were due to drops in enrollment, according to the state’s spending formula.

Bishop defended the formula as equitable, noting that it factors in geographic area, local tax bases, and other issues. “I just felt strongly that there’s no way that they can say that we’re inequitable, because there are third-party assessments and research that has been done that Alaska actually has one of the most equitable formulas,” she said.

“Our funding formula is a state entity. Our districts are funded according to that,” Bishop said. “And so basically, they [U.S. Department of Education] argued that the distribution of funds from the state funding formula, the state’s own money, right, nothing to do with the Feds, was inequitable.

“So they picked these districts to say, ‘You need to give them more.’ And we’re saying, ‘No, you don’t have a right to say that. We spent your money, how you said, but only the state Legislature can say’” how to spend state money, she said.

She said the state felt confident about their spending plan for American Rescue Plan Act funding.

In addition to temporarily withholding the funding, the federal government further penalized Alaska by designating it a “high risk” grantee.

Federal and state officials went back and forth on compliance, with the state doubling down, defending their school spending. By May, the state had racked up another $1 million in frozen federal funds.

Bishop said despite the holds from the feds, they continued to award the funds to districts.

“We felt as though we would prevail. So we never wanted to harm school districts who were appropriated those funds the way that they were supposed to,” she said. School districts followed the dispute closely.

Juneau School District’ Superintendent Frank Hauser said the district did not expect or budget for the funds.

“JSD was slated only to receive approximately $90,000 of the “maintenance of equity” funds, much less than Kenai, Fairbanks, or Anchorage,” he said in an email. “JSD will not receive that money now; however, we had not anticipated receiving it and had not included it in our budget projection.”

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District declined to comment on the issue. A spokesperson said the district administration is awaiting clarification from the state education department.

On Monday, the administration announced a recommended consolidation plan for five elementary schools to be closed, citing a $16 million deficit for next year. A final vote on whether to close the schools is set for early February.

Now the state is in the process of applying for reimbursements from the federal Department of Education, and expects to receive that full $17.5 million award, Bishop said. If districts have outstanding pandemic-related expenses, she said those can be submitted to the state, and will be reimbursed according to the state’s COVID-19 funding guidelines. “We’ll process that, and then we’ll go to the Feds and get that money back,” she said.

In December, Gov. Mike Dunleavy applauded the federal announcement, calling the dispute “a tremendous waste of time,” in a prepared statement. He repeated his support for President-elect Donald Trump’s calls to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education.

“On the bright side, this saga is a wonderful case study of the U.S. Department of Education’s abuse of power and serves as further evidence for why I support the concept of eliminating it,” he said.

Dunleavy linked to a social media post he made on X, which read, in part, that eliminating the department “would restore local control of education back to the states, reduce bureaucratic inefficiency and reduce cost. Long overdue.”

Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage and chair of the Senate Education Committee, pointed to the timing for the outgoing Biden administration and federal leaders’ desire to release funding to Alaska schools.

“It’s very clear that if the presidential election had ended in a different result, we would not be having this conversation,” she said. “Instead, they would be continuing to work with the department to find a more elegant, a more clean solution.”

She said the federal letter announcing the end to the long dispute doesn’t mean the issue of equity was resolved.

“I think their letter to the Department of Education and Early Development here in Alaska was very clear that Alaska never did fully comply with the guidelines, but instead, due to a want and a fervent hope that the resources would get into the schools and into the communities that so desperately needed them, that they would choose to not pursue further compliance measures,” she said.

Last year, the Legislature passed a budget with $11.89 million included for the state to comply with the federal requirements, but that funding was vetoed by Dunleavy, who defended the state’s position, saying the “need for funds is indeterminate.”

The budget did include a one-time funding boost to all districts, but Tobin said the annual school aid debate left districts in limbo for future budget planning.

“We can see how this has cost school districts, how it has created instability, how it has resulted in a system that is unpredictable for funding streams for our schools,” Tobin said.

Kenai Superintendent Holland expressed hope that school funding would be prioritized by elected officials this year.

“The bigger issue for us, and for all Alaskan school districts, is what our legislators and governor will decide regarding education funding in the upcoming legislative session,” Holland said.

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Alaska

Alaska's population increases from 2023 to 2024

Published

17 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Alaska's population increases from 2023 to 2024

The state of Alaska saw an increase in population of 0.31% from 2023 to 2024, despite more people leaving the state than entering it.
The increase is attributed to births outpacing both deaths and outward migration, according to new data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Based on Census Data from 2020 and state data, the population is estimated to have increased to 741,147 people

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