Multiple choices

Learn historical tidbits before sampling city's winter festival

By Mike Dunham
mdunham@adn.com

Published: February 21st, 2008 04:18 AM
Last Modified: February 21st, 2008 04:40 AM

The Anchorage Fur Rendezvous kicks off this weekend, and, even if you're not the party type, you'll probably find yourself doing something Rondy-related during the next few weeks.

But what do you really know about the perennial winter festival, the local fixture since 1936? Test your knowledge with this quiz:

1. Which of these Hollywood celebrities attended Fur Rondy?

A. Gary Cooper

B. Carole Lombard

C. Lassie

2. Why is it spelled "Rendezvous" but pronounced "Ron-dee-voo"?

A. It's the name of an old Russian trading post site on Knik Arm.

B. Anchorage citizens in the 1930s had trouble spelling.

C. It's a French word meaning "Present yourselves."

3. What did a legal quart of Old Crow cost at the first Rondy?

A. 45 cents

B. $4.50

C. There was no legal alcohol then; the first Rondy occurred during Prohibition.

4. What team did the Anchorage Aces men's team beat in the basketball finals at the first Rondy?

A. Anchorage High School

B. The Wasilla Rubes

C. The Fairbanks Elks

5. The name "Anchorage Fur Rendezvous," which became official in 1938, was the brainchild of:

A. Mayor Zack Loussac

B. Fire Chief Thomas Bevers

C. Furrier David Green

6. During World War II, the name of the event changed to:

A. Fort Richardson Bonanza Days

B. Alaska Freedom Festival

C. Mardi Gras

7. Until the 1950s, Miss Anchorage -- aka the Rondy Queen -- was chosen for:

A. How much money she could raise for the event

B. Good looks

C. Fur sewing skills

8. In 1951, Rondy mushers drove their dogs ...

A. On the three-day, 75-total-mile circuit still used today

B. In a 10-mile, one-day race

C. From Anchorage to Seward

9. George Attla won his first Rondy race, and set a course record of 6:03:18, in:

A. 1964

B. 1970

C. 1958

10. Who of the following was not a grand marshal at the Rondy parade?

A. Muktuk Marston

B. John Denver

C. Lassie

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• Find Mike Dunham at adn.com/contact/mdunham or call 257-4332.

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Rondy highlights

Too many Fur Rendezvous parties and not enough time? The fur will fly at these can't-miss Rondy events:

World Championship Sled Dog Races, starts at noon today, Saturday and Sunday. The action begins and ends at Fourth Avenue and D Street, but you'll find several great viewing spots along the trail. Expect crowds. Free to watch.

Rondy Grand Parade, 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Fan out along Fifth and Sixth avenues. The majorettes will send chills down your spine. Or maybe it's the temperature. Free.

Rondy Carnival, at Third Avenue and E Street, opening at 2 p.m. today, 11 a.m. Saturday, noon Sunday, 2 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. March 1 and noon March 2. You get bragging rights for life if the mercury goes to minus 20 with a wind while you're on the Ferris wheel. Rides cost from two to four tickets, with most costing three and tickets costing $1 each, though discount coupon books will be available.

GCI Snow Sculptures, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. now through March 2 on Ship Creek across from the Comfort Inn. Looking at this artwork, you'll kick yourself for throwing away all that snow from your driveway. Free.

Native Arts Market at the Dimond Center. Free to shop at what has become the biggest emporium of Alaska Native handwork in the world. The tables open at 10 a.m. Wednesday-March 1 and noon March 2, but they start shutting down before 6 so that everyone can get to ...

Native Musicale, 7:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Feb. 29 at West High School's auditorium. Shake hands with old friends while one group after another performs gospel. Free.

Reindeer Races, 3 p.m. Sunday at Fourth Avenue and D Street. A skijor relay with dogs (2 p.m.) precedes the blazing Blitzens and Donners and after, at 3:30, it'll be the first Running of the Reindeer. Pamploma has 2-ton bulls chasing macho idiots through the streets; we have 100-pound deer that may chase, stand still or flee from the humans; no one knows because this is the first time. However it turns out, if you don't win, go to Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse (610 W. Sixth Ave.) at 9 p.m. Thursday, where you may well encounter other losers at the Reindeer Sausage Eating Challenge. Free to watch.

Snowshoe Softball. No, it doesn't make sense, but we can't seem to get enough of it, with coed bouts at noon Saturday and Sunday at Kosinski Fields, E. 16th Avenue and Cordova Street, and the famous Original Men's game known as "Beerball" at noon on March 2 at Ninth Avenue and C Street. Free to watch.

The Fur Rondy Melodrama, various times at the Snow Goose Theatre, 717 W. Third Ave., today through March 8 -- which is actually after the rest of the Rondy is over. Laugh at really corny jokes. Hum with really sentimental barbershop ballads, boo the villain and leer at the ladies of the Alaska Sound Celebration Chorus while tossing back beers and popcorn. $18-$23 at CenterTix.net.

Bingo! Tudor Road Bingo Center (3411 E. Tudor Road) has something called Rondy Bingo every night of the festival. But Saturday and March 1, the games will start at midnight. Think you're hardcore? Feeling lucky? Is that a dauber in your pocket? See you there. Fifty cents a sheet, $10 per package.

-- Mike Dunham

Play reporter

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Fur Rendezvous

When: Today through March 2

Where: Around Anchorage

How much: Various prices

Web: www.furrondy.net

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Answers

1. C. Fairbanks got two-legged stars. Anchorage got the dog.

2. C. French-speaking trappers pioneered the fur trade in America.

3. B.

4. A. But the Rubes and Elks were real teams.

5. B.

6. A. "Bonanza Days" continued to be used interchangeably with Fur Rendezvous for some years after the war.

7. A.

8. C.

9. C.

10. B. John Denver was invited to be the grand marshal in 1978, but public outcry over his environmentalist views caused officials to rescind the invitation. Local beauty queen Cindy Roberts, who had won the Mrs. America contest, took his place.

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