Alaska News

Photos: 2015 Fur Rondy winter festival

Under cloudy skies and light snow, the 80th annual Fur Rondezvous winter festival kicked off with a flurry of events on Saturday.

Snowshoe softball has been adapted for the conditions this year. Players aren't wearing the signature piece of equipment due to lack of snow and the presence of ice on the diamonds at Kosinski Baseball Fields. The double-elimination slow-pitch tournament began early Saturday and continues Sunday, March 1.

Although the Rondy World Championship Sled Dog Races were canceled this year due to lack of snow, sprint mushers and fans paused to remember the one of the sport's biggest stars. George Attla, who won 10 World Championships and eight North American Open Championships in his career, died February 15 at age 81.

At a memorial ceremony at the corner of Fourth Avenue and D Street, Attla's brother Albert, grandson Joe Bifelt and fellow sprinter Arleigh Reynolds shared thoughts and remembrances. Fur Rondy introduced a concept drawing of an archway over Fourth Avenue that they hope will one day be built in Attla's honor, that declares that stretch of downtown the "Mushing District."

A number of the newer events proved popular again this year. Twenty-seven teams signed up to race down Hilltop Ski Area in the Great Alaskan Bed Races. The lack of snow this year helped conditions at the Peanut Farm's ice bowling pond.

Fur Rondy continues through Sunday, March 8.

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