Culture

Weekend picks: Iditarod start and Fur Rondy fun

Going to the dogs

The first 2016 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race team leaves the Fourth Avenue ceremonial start line at 10 a.m. Saturday, but you can watch them arrive a couple hours before that. Spectators might prefer spying the mushers as they head east to the Cordova Street hill or along the Chester Creek Trail. On Sunday, the real race begins at 2 p.m. on Willow Lake. Shuttle buses from Anchorage Lakefront Hotel, Wasilla High School, Houston High School, Menard Sports Center and Talkeetna Sunshine Restaurant start running at 9:30 a.m., returning in the late afternoon. Parking is limited, so shuttles are your best bet. Couch potatoes can watch Saturday on KTVA Channel 11 and Sunday on GCI Channel 1 and 999.

Running of the Reindeer

Watch hordes of wildly costumed runners sprint down Fourth Avenue followed by a small herd of nervous-looking reindeer in an event loosely (very, very loosely) inspired by Pamplona's Running of the Bulls in Spain. Starts at 4 p.m. Saturday at G Street.

Miners and Trappers Ball

While many Rondy events feature silly and elaborate costumes, the Miners and Trappers Charity Ball has all that plus the "Mr. Fur Face Contest" -- aka the State Championship Beard and Mustache Contest. Those who appreciate facial hair and crazy get-ups will want to check this out. Tickets are $30 at furrondy.net, the Fur Rondy Shop, Dooley's and Party World. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Egan Center.

Alaska's got talent

Check out the best singers, dancers, beat boxers, martial artists and other performers at the final round of the Great Alaska Talent Competition, where competitors will stage their best stuff to win up to $1,000 (not to mention bragging rights). Set for 4 p.m. Sunday at the Discovery Theatre in the Alaska Center for Performing Arts. Tickets are $20.25-$27.75 at centertix.net.

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