News Release
Anchorage’s one-of-a-kind winter celebration: Fur Rendezvous: Alaskans get revved up for Rondy!
Anchorage, Alaska – Feb. 2, 2009 – There are very few places where you can enter a snowshoe softball tournament, race down the street in an outhouse, spend an afternoon ice bowling, or run with the reindeer – Pamplona style. Then again, there are very few places like Anchorage, Alaska. The city’s Fur Rendezvous is a 10-day celebration, Feb. 27 - March 8, 2009. The entire city gets involved for this annual event to celebrate the beginning of the end of winter.
Affectionately known by locals as “Rondy,” Anchorage Fur Rendezvous began as the brainchild of outgoing Anchorage citizen, Vern Johnson. In 1935, Johnson created a three-day sporting event timed to correspond with the return of local miners and trappers coming to Anchorage to sell their hard-won winter product. The original event featured skiing, hockey, basketball, boxing and a children's sled dog race down Fourth Avenue.
Today, Fur Rendezvous continues to pay tribute to the early Alaskan way of life with dozens of activities, contests, performances and events. The celebration includes an old-time melodrama, Alaska Native tribal gatherings, World Champion Sled Dog Races, craft markets, the Miners & Trappers Ball, outhouse races, fur auction, Running of the Reindeer and much more.
"Rondy is 10 days of Alaskan's celebrating being Alaskan, as well as a chance for visitors to BE Alaskan,” said Susan Duck, executive director of Anchorage Fur Rendezvous.
Below is a sampling of the many Fur Rendezvous events. For a full listing of events visit www.furrondy.net.
Snow Sculpture Competition
Artists of all abilities carve frosty creations out of eight-foot blocks of snow. The winners of this frigid contest will represent Alaska at the U.S. Nationals Snow Sculpting Competition.
Feb. 27 - March 8, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Awards ceremony: Feb. 28, 1 p.m.
Alaska Trappers Association Fur Auction
It all started here, the first Rondy celebration was scheduled to coincide with the fur traders coming into Anchorage to sell their wares. The Alaska Trappers Association keeps this long-standing tradition alive by auctioning off the finest Alaska furs to the highest bidder.
Feb. 28, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., March 7, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
World Championship Sled Dog Sprint Races
The Fur Rendezvous World Championship Sled Dog Races offer spectator-friendly, high-speed dog powered sports excitement. The World Championship Sled Dog Race debuted in 1946. This cornerstone event brings teams of sled dogs and drivers to Anchorage from across Alaska and the world. The 25-mile sprint race rushes through Anchorage and can be viewed at multiple locations throughout the city and local neighborhoods.
Feb. 27 - March 1, noon
2nd Annual Running of the Reindeer
The Running of the Reindeer debuted during the 2008 Fur Rondy celebration and quickly became a crowd favorite. Ten states and four countries were represented as both locals and visitors ran through the streets of Anchorage alongside galloping reindeer. This year, local and national celebrities will join in on the fun.
March 1, 3 p.m.
Outhouse Races
Competitors race down the street pushing outrageously decorated outhouses on skis in this annual Rondy event. Rules state that one racer must ride seated on the throne and the fastest team to the finish line wins.
Feb. 28, 2:30 p.m.
Snowshoe Softball
Have you ever tried to swing a bat or run in snowshoes? Players round the bases wearing the functional, but certainly not fast, footwear as they compete in this annual softball tournament. The ball is painted orange, but can still be hard to find in the snowy outfield!
Feb. 28, noon
March 1, noon
Miners and Trappers Charity Ball
The annual Miners and Trappers Ball is one of the highlights of the Fur Rendezvous celebration. Attendees dress in elaborate costumes and dance the night away “Alaska-style”. This year’s theme The 49th Turns 50, features a costume contest and Mr. Fur Face Competition. The ball has raised several million dollars for local charities over the last 57 years.
March 7, 7:30 p.m.
Blanket Toss
The Blanket Toss is a signature Rondy event. Dozens of people hold the edge of a blanket while participants are tossed into the air to see who can fly the highest.
Feb. 28 - March 1, 4 - 7 p.m.
March 6, 4 - 7 p.m.
March 7-8, noon - 3 p.m.
Golden Wheel Carnival
Both locals and visitors embrace the cold for this winter carnival in downtown Anchorage. The Ferris wheel is the best seat in town to view the snow-capped mountains.
Feb. 27, 2 - 10 p.m.
Feb. 28, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
March 1, noon - 10 p.m.
March 2-6, 2 - 9 p.m.
March 7, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
March 8, noon - 5 p.m.
Dog Weight Pull
This puppy powered pull began in 1967. Canine athletes compete by hauling weighted sleds across the finish line. The dog that pulls the most weight wins.
Feb. 28, noon
Human Weight Pull
A brand new Rondy event, humans will strap up to sleds and test their strength to see who can pull the most weight.
Feb. 28, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Frostbite Footrace and Costume Fun-Run
Competitors run through downtown Anchorage in a 5K footrace. Less serious participants dress up in outrageous costumes for a family oriented fun run.
Feb. 28, 9:30 a.m.
Melodrama
Alaska Sound Celebration presents Calamity at Clifford the Big Red Dog Mine. Follow the hero and heroine as they try to foil a dastardly villain. With a new theme each year, this wild and wacky show is a truly Alaskan way to have fun (and practice popcorn throwing skills!)
Show times and tickets are available at www.centertix.com
Morrison Auto Group and GCI Grand Prix
The oldest street race in America, and a Fur Rondy favorite. Teams from Alaska and Washington State will speed through the streets of Anchorage in an exciting bumper to bumper race to reach the checkered flag.
March 6, noon - 5 p.m.
March 8, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Multi-Tribal Gathering
This multicultural family and youth event will feature the song, dance and visual art of Alaska Natives. This year’s event includes a performance by the NAMMY Award winning group Medicine Dream and Ke Kia ‘I A O Hula Alaska.
Feb. 28, noon - 5 p.m.
March 1, noon - 5 p.m.
Fireworks Extravaganza
Fireworks light up the sky to kick off 10 days of Fur Rondy fun.
Feb. 28, 6:45 p.m.
Anchorage Fur Rendezvous is part of the winter trio, three exciting events that take place over 10 days Feb. 27 – March 8, 2009. Other trio events are the Ceremonial Start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in downtown Anchorage, March 7, 2009 and the Tour of Anchorage cross country ski race, March 8, 2009.
“This is an exciting time to visit Anchorage,” said Julie Saupe, President & CEO of the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Visitors get to experience three unique Alaska events in one week.”
For more information on these and other Anchorage events explore www.anchorage.net
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (ACVB) mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage as a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by lodging associations. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund, a contribution established in 1978, and one-third goes to the construction and annual maintenance costs of the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center and the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. Explore www.Anchorage.net for more information.
Media Contacts:
Jeanette Anderson Moores
Public Relations
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
jmoores@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118
Explore www.Anchorage.net
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