Fur Rondy

Although the Fur Rondy is more of a carnival today, its roots go back to a time when trappers and prospectors made much of their annual income from sales at this event. Photo by Denise Zirkle

What is a Fur Rondy? That's exactly what we wondered last winter when we started seeing advertisements for it in the paper and on the local TV channels. Fur Rondy is a local abbreviation for the Fur Rendezvous Festival. This ten day festival is held in Anchorage and marks the beginning of the end of winter, and the welcome approach of spring.

The first festival was held in 1935 and began as a swap meet for fur trappers. The miners and trappers would come into Anchorage - which at that time had a population of 3,000 - to sell their furs to willing buyers. This is still a big part of the festival but now the younger trappers sell their furs to make money for their college education. Fox furs, wolf furs and other furs are held up and sold to the final bidder in the audience.

On the last day of the Fur Rondy Festival, a 25 mile sled dog race through the streets of Anchorage is held in the spirit of the great Iditarod, which begins the following day. Photo by Denise Zirkle

The next Fur Rondy begins on February 27th and will end March 8th, 2009. The ending coincides with the start of the Iditarod sled dog race which begins with a 25 mile race through the streets of Anchorage on Saturday to get the dogs and mushers geared up to begin the actual race on Sunday in Willow which is north of Anchorage about 50 miles.

During the festival, you will find many activities which are normal for Alaska but rather strange for any other festival in the “lower 48”. Perhaps the most widely recognized of these events is the Blanket Toss. The "Blanket" is actually a large walrus skin with a rope woven around the edge to serve as handles. The Blanket is round and about 15 to 20 ft. across. The game consists of as many "Pullers" as possible gathering around the edge of the blanket and stretching the blanket around them at about waste height. One person

Ice sculptures are popular at many events in Alaska during the winter, and Fur Rondy is no exception. Photo by Denise Zirkle

is then allowed to climb atop the blanket and establish himself or herself in the center. Then the pullers raise and lower the person in a rhythm and then on signal pull the blanket taut and toss the jumper high in the air. Although this is an Olympic Activity, it was created for the practice of hunting. As the person is sprung into the air they can spot caribou, whales, and other animals far off in the distance.

The Dog Weight Pull was started in 1967 and measures the amount of weight a dog can pull; much like a tractor pull held at fairs and festivals in the lower 48. A Grand Parade, Poker Tournament, Family Night Skate, and Frost Bite Foot Race are just a few of the other activities held during this ten day festival.