Alaska is widely known as the wild and thrilling home of adventure and wilderness. It’s the land of huge national parks, frozen soaring mountains and glaciers bigger than our imaginations can conjure. It’s a place of majesty, grand scales and awesome postcard-picture images. But it’s also a great location for a few fun-filled days at a festival or two. With a state this size, it’s no surprise that there’s a festival for everything and everyone.
The 75-year tradition of the Alaska State Fair is perhaps what makes it the favourite festival of many native Alaskans. This traditional-style fair is the biggest annual event in the whole of the state, and every year is filled with more fun than the last. There are diverse exhibitions, crazy carnival games, rip-roaring rides, food, drinks, laughter and plenty to keep all ages entertained. There are also chances to buy loads of wacky and wonderful trinkets and treasures, and even feast your eyes upon world-record vegetables of massive proportions!
The Anchorage Film Festival, first held in 2001, is a special and significant day in the independent film calendar. The event showcases fantastic new flicks, with a focus on filmmakers from Alaska, and screens a great number of interesting, unusual and unique shorts, documentaries and feature films. Other events include panel discussions, special screenings and awards ceremonies.
Sitka summer music festival exhibits and excites with America’s best string musicians. If it’s plucked or pulled and it pleases your ears, you’ll find it here. There are performers from every inch of American soil and a few too from other corners of the world. If you like violins, cellos, guitars or anything else with a bunch of strings, it’s the place to be. The event holds classical and contemporary performances and promises a varied and vibrant program of melodious music.
Alaska also hosts the Fur Rendezvous Festival, an icy celebration to thaw the chill of the state’s famous frozen winters. There are markets, food, arts, contests, races and reindeers, all in honour of the Alaskan cold. With a chilly history of over 75 years, it’s an event filled with proud tradition, rosy cheeks and glowing smiles.
You can also attend festivals celebrating themes and things as diverse as mountain climbing, sports, forests, salmon, blueberries and a great range more. The whole state is a beautiful backdrop to have fun, so come along and join the party!