Anchorage Fur Rendezvous Festival
Finish line, Iditarod dog sled race near Nome Alaska
Welcome to the nation’s premier winter festival, the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous Festival, often times referred to as the Fur Rondy or just Rondy. This nationally and internationally renown festival began in 1935 as a sports tournament, including skiing, hockey, basketball, boxings, and children’s sled dog racing. It originally lasted 3 days and in its first year it brought out all 3,000 inhabitants of Anchorage. Now the Fur Rondy lasts 10 full days and brings out hundreds of thousands of guests, from locally excited families and supporters to worldwide media and news sources, each and everyone excited to be a part of this unique piece of Alaskan history.
Today this event is a major local economic stimulator, as well as an educational opportunity for young and old to celebrate the past traditions of Alaska. During its 10-day run each February, the Fur Rondy puts on a classic fur auction, paying homage to the 3rd leading industry in Alaska’s economic past. It also features the ancient tradition of the blanket toss, tribal dance competitions, the World Championship Sled Dog Race, an exciting and game-filled Rondy Carnival, the extremely large Grand Parade, lighthearted outhouse races, snowshoe softball tournaments, a Madrid-like running of the reindeer, leisurely and competitive ice skating, and snow sculpture competitions.
There is something fun and interesting to do every day during this festival, so don’t worry about being here on a certain day! Make sure you stop by the Fur Rondy shop and Cafe for some award-winning espresso at some point during the festivities as well!
