Fur Rondy wraps up after this weekend, and some of its biggest events will take over the streets of downtown (as well as some other parts of the city). A full schedule is available at furrondy.net — here are some of the highlights.
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Ceremonial start of the 45th Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
Watch as some of the most impressive canine athletes on the planet — not to mention the hardy mushers who run them — take a turn through Anchorage for the ceremonial start of the 2017 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The 11-mile course will start downtown at 10 a.m. Saturday at Fourth Avenue, near where it intersects with D Street. The teams will turn onto Cordova Street and drop down the hill to Mulcahy Stadium before snaking their way along city trails and ending their run at the Campbell Airstrip in Far North Bicentennial Park. Expect plenty of informal parties along the way.
Two days later, the race will have its official start at 11 a.m. Monday in Fairbanks.
[When will the 2017 Iditarod start? (And answers to 14 other race questions)]
Running of the Reindeer
The Iditarod might be Alaska's most famous race, but we'll go ahead and call the Running of the Reindeer the most infamous. Watch grown adults in silly costumes run "away" from a small herd of reindeer, and watch the reindeer do their best to avoid the runners as best they can. There will be four waves of runners in this event, which raises funds for Toys for Tots. 4-5 p.m. Saturday. Fourth Avenue. It's $30 to run (see furrondy.net/events/running-reindeer to register) and free for spectators.
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Great Alaska Talent Competition
The finalists in this year's talent competition will compete with their best three minutes of acting, singing, dancing, drumming, martial arts or playing an instrument. 4 p.m. Sunday at the Discovery Theatre in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.
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Miners and Trappers 'Pardi-Gras'
Bring your world-class beard (real or otherwise), costume and appreciation for all things Alaska kitsch to the 67th annual Miners and Trappers Ball. As has become the custom, the Alaska State Championship Beard and Mustache Contest will crown the winner of the Mr. Fur Face contest. New this year will be the "Ink and Ice" tattoo contest with several categories for men and women. Doors open at 5 p.m., kicking off the Ink and Ice contest. Mr. Fur Face begins at 7 p.m. and the costume contest starts at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Egan Center. Tickets are $30 and proceeds go to local charities. Must be 21 and older to attend.
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Charlotte Jensen Native Arts Market
This year's market will include more than 150 Alaska Native artisans selling woven baskets, dolls, beading, carving and more. In many cases, you can even watch the artists craft their pieces. From 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Saturday and 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. Monday. See dimondcenter.com for details.