| Looking for an escape from the same old routine - or | | | | birthday, July 4. Daylong activities feature a |
| from the same old holiday routine for that matter? | | | | combination of patriotic celebrations, cultural |
| Consider Anchorage, Alaska. | | | | showcases and family activities. |
| This friendly city with a population of 277,000 is the | | | | Summer in Anchorage provides the opportunity for |
| starting place for an extravaganza of unique | | | | kayaking, rafting or cruising the inland lakes and rivers. |
| adventures. | | | | Cruises, railroad trips, and flight seeing offer great |
| Winter visitors can go for with a dog sled ride or | | | | ways to enjoy the scenic grandeur. Day trips and up |
| watch traditional dog sled races, with as many as | | | | to 7 night package tours are available. Head out to |
| 1000 dogs participating; they can enjoy festivals of | | | | some of the more than 100 state parks and |
| snowsport, music and family fun. One of the largest | | | | recreation areas, great for camping, fishing and |
| ski marathons in North America featuring 50K, 40K, | | | | picnics. Glacier viewing and gold panning are never to |
| and 25K routes winds through Anchorage. | | | | be forgotten experiences. |
| The Native Youth Olympics is an annual opportunity | | | | Opportunities abound to enjoy the beautiful birds and |
| for nearly 400 youth from across Alaska to assemble | | | | flowers, view the wild life - and don't forget the |
| in Anchorage to demonstrate their skills in traditional | | | | Northern Lights! |
| Native games. | | | | August spotlights some special interests. There is the |
| American Indian and Alaska Native cultures are | | | | Alyeska Blueberry & Mountain Arts Festival offering |
| celebrated during Spirit Days. These include drum and | | | | great food and wine, creative arts and crafts, and |
| dance performers, arts and crafts displays, | | | | rousing folk music. |
| storytellers, food and traditional Alaska Native sports. | | | | The Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum is a treat, |
| Marathon runs make up a big part of summer fun in | | | | especially for those interested in the Great Alaska |
| Anchorage. And each year it starts with the Mayor's | | | | Salmon Bake and Fly-by. This annual event is |
| Midnight Sun Marathon. This event attracts up to | | | | complete with vintage aircraft and fly-by's from |
| 4,500 runners. | | | | around the state! Salmon with all the fixings and live |
| Non-runners who want to kick off the summer fun | | | | music are on offer. |
| make their way to the AWAIC Summer Solstice | | | | Thanksgiving Weekend sees the start of the |
| Event for live music, demonstrating Alaska artists, | | | | Anchorage "City of Lights" holiday season. Numerous |
| great food, and fun activities for the family. | | | | cultural and craft events follow the Town Square |
| Presented by AWAIC (Abused Women's Aid in Crisis, | | | | Tree Lighting Ceremony. |
| Inc.). | | | | Anchorage provides a wonderful stating point for |
| Each summer, there is an opportunity for celebrating | | | | experiencing wilderness activities while learning more |
| Scottish culture at the Alaskan Scottish Highland | | | | about the culture and history of America's 49th state. |
| Games which includes athletics, music, dance, food, | | | | Interested in learning more? Try this link formore of |
| crafts and historical displays. | | | | the same. |
| Alaska-style celebrations are featured on America's | | | | |