Clear the calendar, Anchorage. The 76th annual edition of the Fur Rendezvous is under way. Alaska's biggest winter festival runs through March 6. There's a full schedule posted at adn.com, but for planning purposes the following list considers a few day-by-day highlights.
FRIDAY
• The first day of World Champion Sled Dog Races starts at high noon at 4th Avenue and D Street. Alaskan mushers from Homer to Kotzebue and Salcha to New Stuyahok will vie against dogs from the Lower 48 and a formidable contingent from Canada, including defending champion Blayne "Buddy" Streeper. The $80,000 purse includes cash prizes for daily winners, which should keep things interesting as the race continues on Saturday and Sunday.
• Duck into the 4th Avenue Marketplace to warm up and check out the Craft Alaska Arts & Crafts Show. At least 40 tables featuring the work of carvers, parka makers, jewelers and more are included. Get that fur hat with the tail still on it here and be properly chapeau'ed for the rest of Rondy. The show continues through Sunday and reprises on March 5.
• Few events have remained a consistent part of Rondy for all 76 years, but skating is one of them. The Anchorage Figure Skating Club will debut this year's Rondy on Ice show featuring the spectacular team of Baxter Burbank and Kate Zeigler. The young pair has competed and placed in major national and international ice dancing competitions. Burbank's from Fairbanks, Zeigler's from New Jersey. Performances will be at 7 p.m. today, 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday at UAA's Wells Fargo Sports Complex. Tickets are $12.50 at the door.
• Throw popcorn and shout down the villains, assuming you can identify them, in "The Merry Monsters of Matsylvania," this year's Rondy Melodrama presented at the Snow Goose Theatre by the wild women of Alaska Sound Celebration. The opening show is at 8 p.m., with additional performances running through March 11. Tickets are $18-$23 at centertix.net. More on this one in today's Play section.
• Ken Peltier and Backstrap provide the country and rock music to accompany "the newest concoctions the world of spirits has to offer" at the Jim Beam Jam, 9 p.m. at the Egan Center. Tickets for the event, including appetizers, are $25.
• For some reason, photos from the annual Fur Bikini Contest are one of the most popular online galleries at adn.com. See the contest in the flesh (and fur) starting at 10 p.m. at Chilkoot Charlie's.
SATURDAY
Expect to spend the whole busy day at Rondy -- and not just for the dog races at noon.
• Wake up early for the Frostbite Footrace and Costume Fun Run at 9:30 a.m. at the Egan Center.
• Bundle up to watch the Grand Parade along 5th and 6th avenues starting at 10:30 a.m.
• Need material for next year's Fur Bikini Contest? The Alaska Trappers Association's Fur Auction starts at 11 a.m. at 3rd Avenue and E Street.
• Dig the drums and dancing at the free Multi-tribal Gathering at the Egan Center from noon to 7 p.m.
• Are we cold yet? Warm up anytime between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Meet the World at the Anchorage Museum, with ethnic cultural booths and entertainment from places that tend to be a bit more tropical than Alaska.
• Teams of so-called adults unleash their inner delinquents in the Yukigassen snowball fight, stating at 3 p.m. on the Park Strip at 10th Avenue and G Street. Much more on this in today's Play section.
• Hold your bladder for the Outhouse Races at 4 p.m. on 4th Avenue. The one-block race doesn't take very long.
• Ooh at the AT&T Fireworks Extravaganza, exploding over the Ship Creek Small Boat Harbor starting at 6:45 p.m.
SUNDAY
• The judges will pick the winners in the GCI Snow Sculpture Competition, across from the Comfort Inn on Ship Creek, at 11 a.m. The sculptures themselves are on display throughout Rondy as long as it stays cold. Save yourself the walk and catch the BP shuttle bus.
• Animal parts collected by the State of Alaska go on the block at the Hide and Horn Auction. Check the offerings starting at 9 a.m., bid away at noon, at 3rd Avenue and E Street.
• Before or after the final day of sled dog racing, admire the truly tough dudes at the World Championship Outdoor Hockey Tournament, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., at Mulcahy park and on the Park Strip, or the wacky Snowshoe Softball games at 16th Avenue and Cordova Street at noon. (Both these events take place on other days as well.)
MONDAY, Feb. 28
The weak slow down right about this point -- but not folks at the Anchorage Senior Center where the cutthroat Senior Cribbage Tournament starts at 10 a.m. More card tourneys follow in the days to come. Take advantage of the lull to catch some of the daily events, like the Artistry in Wood woodworking show at the Northway Mall, the Canstruction assemblages of canned food at University Center or High Country Sled Dog Rides on the Park Strip.
TUESDAY, March 1
It's the first night of the Native Musicale, with Yupik, Athabascan, Inupiat and other gospel groups from all over the state. If you've ever spent time in the Bush, here's where you go to see people you know. This year it's at ChangePoint Church, off Raspberry Road near the Sports Dome. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. March 1-4. Admission is free.
WEDNESDAY, March 2
• What must be Alaska's largest Native art and craft emporium, the Charlotte Jensen Native Arts Market, named this year for the late Rondy organizer who helped get it started years ago, kicks off at 10 a.m. in the Dimond Center. It will continue through 5 p.m. on March 6.
• Take a ride and bring a friend. It's Coca-Cola Buddy Day at the Rondy Carnival from 1 to 5 p.m. The Carnival runs from 1 to 8 or 9 p.m. on most days (1 to 7 p.m. on March 6), "weather permitting."
THURSDAY, March 3
Catch your breath before the final weekend with a visit to the model train displays at Russian Jack Park and the Historic Alaska Railroad Depot downtown.
FRIDAY, March 4
• Why wait for spring? The Utukku Snow Golf Challenge will take place at University Lake Park starting at 9 a.m.
• Hungry? Pack on healthy pounds at the Seafood Buffet at the Anchorage Senior Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Lace 'em up! A Family Skate will start at 4 p.m. at Westchester Lagoon.
• Get a good night's sleep. You'll need it for ...
SATURDAY, March 5
The Iditarod Race's Ceremonial Start will dominate 4th Avenue for the morning and into the early afternoon, but it's not the whole show.
• As the last dogs clear the chute, the Vintage Snowmachine Parade will follow them down 4th Avenue at 2 p.m.
• Then it's the return of the Running of the Reindeer, also on 4th Avenue, at 4 p.m.
• The Rage City Roller Girls rev up their wheeled heels to take on the Fairbanks rivals in the Brawl of the Wild, starting at 6 p.m. in the Dena'ina Center. Admission is $15.
• The annual Miners and Trappers Charity Ball salutes Alaska aviators this year, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Egan Center. Mr. Fur Face will be declared at this august happening.
SUNDAY, March 6
Half the state will be in Willow for the restart of the Iditarod. That means you have the Anchorage shows, exhibits and events to yourself. The snowball fight finals will start at 11 a.m. on the Park Strip. The last Blanket Toss will take place between noon and 3 p.m. at 3rd Avenue and E Street. The Alaska Hold 'em Tournament of Champions will start at 4 p.m. at the Egan Center and -- if you have any money left -- try your luck at the Rat Races at Tudor Road Bingo, 6 and 9 p.m. and midnight.
See you next year.
Reader photos: Rondy past and present
PDF: Where to watch Rondy sled dog races
By MIKE DUNHAM
mdunham@adn.com