No, it's not summer yet. But the increasing daylight and relatively warmer temperatures are bringing folks out from beneath their wintertime garments to celebrate in a variety of ways around the state.
Right here in Anchorage, we're gearing up for Fur Rondy (www.furrondy.net), our own wintertime festival. What a riot! The festivities start on Feb. 26 and last through Sun., Mar. 7. If you live in Anchorage, it's hard to miss all the dog races, the carnivals, the Snowshoe Softball and related silliness. This festival is capped by the start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race on Sat., Mar. 6. I've never mushed the Iditarod trail to Nome. But I love skiing in the "Tour of Anchorage", a community cross-country ski race on Sun., Mar. 7.
Face it: they're crazy up there in Fairbanks. And they're especially crazy about their ice. And each year, there is the "BP World Ice Art Championship" that features ice carvers from around the world. Carvers love the famous "Black Diamond" ice that they carve up in Fairbanks. It's well worth a trip north to check out the awesome carvings, starting Feb. 20, 2010, and lasting through Mar. 28. (www.icealaska.com)
Down in Homer, fishermen can't wait for the Winter King Salmon Derby. This one-day event on Mar. 20, 2010, features lots of prizes and parties. But most importantly, it's a chance for anglers to troll for some of the nice king salmon in and around Kachemak Bay. (www.homeralaska.org/winterkingsalmonderby/)
In Juneau, the greatest show on earth right now is the Alaska Legislature. During the short legislative session, Alaskans have the chance to be a part of their state government. Your Alaska representatives and senators are surprisingly accessible to hear your views on bills before them. Alaska Airlines offers a 30-percent discount on short-term fares to members of their frequent flyer plan. This is not exactly a festival -- and it's not fair to call it a circus. But it's a very good civics lesson -- and all Alaskans should visit their capital city and check out their lawmakers in action!
If you want a real "Juneau" experience, fly down during the Alaska Folk Festival, April 5-11. (www.akfolkfest.org) All the events, workshops and dances are free. The featured guest artist this year is Guy Davis -- and the dance band is "The Tallboys" from Seattle.
Just down the road in Girdwood, Alyeska Resort has its Spring Carnival Apr. 22-25. Typically, there is great spring skiing, along with the zany antics, including the famous "Slush Cup," where skiers try and make it across a big pond of open water. Extra points, of course, for crazy costumes! (www.alyeskaresort.com)
Bird lovers have to choose between two great shorebird festivals May 6-9: the Copper River Shorebird Festival in Cordova (http://is.gd/8s2Ro) and the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival in Homer (http://is.gd/8s34R ).
Down in Petersburg, the "signature event" is the Little Norway Festival May 13-16. There's the Little Norway Parade, an all-you-can eat shrimp feed, a Norwegian sweater modeling event -- the list goes on. (www.petersburg.org/visitor/littlenorway.html)
And if, by mid-May, you haven't had your fill of festivals, plan to attend the annual Kodiak Crab Festival over Memorial Day Weekend (www.kodiak.org/things-to-do/island-celebrations/crab-festival). This year's theme: "Rain or Shine." You can take Era Aviation over from Anchorage or sail on the Alaska Marine Highway. Kodiak is a great destination. While you're there, make plans to see the Baranov House Museum, the Alutiiq Museum and one of my favorite coffee houses: Mill Bay Coffee!
There are plenty of parties going on between now and summertime to keep you busy. So get out and see more of Alaska while the snow is on the ground!
Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based travel marketing consultant who has lived in Alaska for three decades, spending much of that time traveling the far-flung corners of the state. Visit his website at www.alaskatravelgram.com.