Things to do / Travel Guide
The Alaska Panhandle, being somewhat remote, nonetheless has a surprisingly-good selection of annual events. Here are some that should be great fun whenever you come to visit:
April
The Alaska Folk Festival is a great, fun-filled event, focusing more on the local lifestyle than just music. Held for one week every April in Juneau, all festival, events, and concerts are free to attend. Dances in the National Guard Building dance hall run from Thursday-Saturday night. Performers hail from all over Alaska as well as from other northwest states. There are concerts, food booths, crafts, and storytelling that make this festival fun for the whole family.
June
The Summer Solstice Celebration in Haines features live dance music, food, and beer until midnight. The acts are free, but you'll have to pay for the grub and grog! Held every mid-June, the celebration is sponsored by the Southeast Alaska State Fair, and is held at the State Fair Grounds in Haines.
The Annual Salmon Derby in Ketchikan is a world-class fishing event for king salmon, held for both locals and visitors at several locations in the area. Bring your favorite fishing pole and lucky hat for this event! It usually takes place during the second weekend in June.
Held annually during the last weekend of June in Juneau, the Gold Rush Days festival highlights logging and mining events. Great fun, food, and festivities for the whole family!
July
The annual Mt. Ripinsky Run in Haines features a parade, barbeque, soap box derby race, children's fishing derby, pie-eating contest, and much more. You can't get more “down home American” than this 4th of July gathering!
The Ketchikan Summer Fest is held on the first weekend of July at the Ketchikan Plaza. This festival includes the Ketchikan Plaza's Sounds of Summer Concert which features local bands and many other festival features like food booths, crafts, and street performers.
August
Juneau's annual Salmon Derby is held during the first weekend each August at various sites, and is Alaska's oldest Salmon Derby. There are large cash prizes, trophies, and lots of fun to be had, so come on out for this one! Visitors are welcome to try and out-fish the locals!
September
Usually held during the first weekend in September, the 110-mile Klondike Road Relay race begins in Skagway, Alaska, on Friday and finishes in Whitehorse, Yukon, the next afternoon. There are teams of 10 members that hail from all over the world who come to compete in this event. If you want to compete, organizers will even find you a team!
October
Ketchikan's All City Halloween Party is held every Halloween at the Cape Fox Lodge. The spook-fest features over 20 booths where kids can play games, collect prizes and candy, and enjoy the great indoors (the party is held during Ketchikan's rainy season)!
November
The annual Bald Eagle Festival in Haines is an event that celebrates the peak of the winter gathering of eagles. Featuring educational seminars, tours, and other special events, this festival is usually held during the first weekend of November at the American Bald Eagle Foundation in Haines.
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