At USA Travel Guide, it always thrills us feature an event as friendly, unique and spirit-warming as Anchorage, Alaska’s annual Fur Rendezvous Festival or “Fur Rondy”. A late February tradition since 1935, the Fur Rondy was first established to celebrate the arrival of the miners and trappers to the Anchorage area with a fresh winter’s yield. While both mining and trapping fell to the wayside in the years since, the Fur Rondy has only grown and today it hails itself as the “Largest Winter Festival in North America” and is attended by thousands from the world over.
Surprisingly and thankfully, the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous managed to grow larger without turning plain. Many of the Fur Rondy’s most popular events today have histories dating back to the very first festival in 1935, and they’ve kept their unique appeal. The original festival was highlighted by three days of sports competition, and this tradition is going strong with hockey, footraces, ice skating, snowshoe softball and dogsled racing and pulling. The celebration of the arrival of the trappers continues as well in a duo of fur auctions hosted by local trapping associations.
Another classic attraction to stand the test of time is the annual Blanket Toss. Traditionally part of the Eskimo Nalukataq whaling festival, the blanket toss joined the Fur Rondy in 1950, first overseen by Native Alaskans from Nome and the Little Diomede Islands. The toss is followed by a dance for all to join.
Ever expanding, the Fur Rendezvous of today has more events and things to see and do than ever. More modern attractions include fireworks, a grand parade, a carnival, a grand prix, a poker tournament (playing so called “Alaska Hold’em”), a beauty pageant, a snow sculpture competition and still much more.
The 2009 Anchorage Fur Rendezvous Festival will be held from February 27 – March 8. The festival in funded in part through the sale of promotional pins, which many consider collector’s items (see picture), so support the Rondy and get a fun souvenir while you’re at it. Learn more about it here.
Make your trip to Alaska all it can be by staying at the Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites, a remarkable Anchorage, AK hotel. This one-of-a-kind property combines sumptuous décor and awe-striking views of this uncommon destination.
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2 Comments
i have always wanted to go to Alaska and now i want to even more. Thanks for the post.
Who knew there were so many events at a fur rendezvous? With so many great events to participate in who cares how cold it is, just go and have a good time!