It's Rondy Time and we just want to share what a fun time we have up here in February!
Fur Rendezvous began in 1935 as a small 3-day sports tournament on Febuary 15, 16, and 17, featuring skiing, hockey, basketball, boxing and a children's sled dog race down Fourth Avenue. Nearly the entire population of Anchorage turned out for the bonfire and torchlight parade. It was timed to coincide with trappers and miners coming to town with their winter yield of furs and gold for sale. The intent was to break up the doldrums of winter. Since then, the Fur Rendezvous has earned national and international notoriety, and visitors from throughout the world descend on Anchorage every February.
Some of my favorite activities include:
* The World Champion Sled Dog Races first debuted in 1946 and are considered to be the cornerstone of the festival to this day. Unlike the famous Iditarod, these races are held in town - a great spectator sport highlighting the lighter and faster Alaskan "sprint" dogs.
* Reindeer races in downtown Anchorage.
* Blanket Toss – Native Alaskans from bush Alaska travel to Anchorage to participate in this and other activities.
* Fur Rondy Snowshoe Softball
* Outhouse Races!!!
* Fur Rondy World Championship Dog Weight Pull
* Huge Snow Sculpture Carving Contest
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