Anchorage is Ready to Rondy

Annual winter festival kicks off Friday

Tools

By Bill McAllister
Bio | Email

Story Created: Feb 18, 2013 at 5:28 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Feb 21, 2013 at 9:53 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - So far this month, we’ve seen Groundhog’s Day, Valentine’s Day and of course, today, President's Day.

That can mean only one thing: It’s time for the 2013 Fur Rendezvous.

Preparations are well under way.

Whether it's reindeer running, sled dogs mushing or even outhouses racing, Fur Rondy is a pick-me-up right at the point that Anchorage residents are starting to tire of winter.

"It really increases the traffic,” said Buzzy Rohlfing, owner of The Bear Square. “I think it's great for the community, you know. It’s been pretty cold lately and now we're going to have something to do during the weekend. The fireworks always have been a great turnout for everybody. And of course we have the carnival down here and all the events. And it works out pretty darn good."

Snow carvers already are competing in a parking lot near Ship Creek.

"I'm hoping it's going to be geisha girl playing a flute, kneeling down, so we'll see, we'll see,” said veteran competitor Guy Urban. “It might turn out to be a giant rabbit, but my plan is to make a geisha girl."

While Fur Rondy organizers are excited, they say there's not going to be anything really new. They’re going to stick with the tried and true.

"Right now, it's still open. All of our registrations are open,” McCleary said. “Whether you're coming out to the ball, the ballroom, for the Miners and Trappers Ball, to the Jim Beam Jam or to be doing the snowball battle up at Hilltop. So all of our registrations are open, and we're hoping the public will come out, because we have snow now."

Ten years ago, a study concluded that Fur Rondy generated about $16 million in additional business activity.

"We currently are going to be doing another economic impact study this Rondy, through the Visit Anchorage group, and we'll have a better feel of that come this summer," McCleary said.

But whether it’s for love or money, Fur Rondy is an Anchorage mainstay.

The ten-day festival begins Friday.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

KTVA CBS 11 News said on Tuesday, Feb 19 at 7:51 AM

Sandra - If you click the Rondy link in the story, it'll lead you to their page with the event schedule, and programs can be found around Anchorage, including the Rondy HQ at Fourth Avenue and D Street downtown.

113931382
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Sandra said on Monday, Feb 18 at 8:41 PM

How do we get a schedule of Events? This will be our first Fur Rondy. Thanks

113894941
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.