I am a sucker for a good old fashioned festival. Luckily in Alaska, people are always dreaming up more and improving the oldies. One of these is the Fur Rondy festival, historically a way to welcome back the miners and trappers venturing into Anchorage after a hard winter. Now, it still remains as a showcase for sled dog races, snowshoe softball, dances and a carnival. To spruce up the festival ,the past two years they have brought in the reindeer.
As legend has it, reindeer races were a part of the Fur Rondy about 10 years ago, but then somebody in the crowd got gouged, so bye-bye Rudolf.
Luckily, humans have short memories-- so to revive the festival the reindeer were welcomed back. Then to up the stakes even more, some local radio DJ's dared Alaskans to "run with the reindeer". I don't think anyone predicted how wildly popular it would be, and how all 1,000 slots to run with these tamer caribou, filled up quickly.
Yes, it was an exhilarating event to behold. The fun of humans in costume being beaten in a foot race by cute hoofed creatures. I'm sure plenty of Alaskans in attendance were hoping to witness a good antler poke or two as well.
Whatever the reason for each individual to participate, for me it is simply the fun of attending these weird Alaskan festivities. They are always unique. I have seen outhouse races, moose dropping contests, more sled dogs than I can count, and ice water plunges. The list goes on.
I love the community feeling of zany events, but there are many more people who would rather just stay home and watch a movie. It is beyond me how so many Americans feel that leaving their couch and doing anything more physical or interesting than shopping is too difficult. I guess that's their loss though. Crowds of people just block the view anyway--but three cheers for the folks who still know how to get out of the house and have some fun!!!!
As legend has it, reindeer races were a part of the Fur Rondy about 10 years ago, but then somebody in the crowd got gouged, so bye-bye Rudolf.
Luckily, humans have short memories-- so to revive the festival the reindeer were welcomed back. Then to up the stakes even more, some local radio DJ's dared Alaskans to "run with the reindeer". I don't think anyone predicted how wildly popular it would be, and how all 1,000 slots to run with these tamer caribou, filled up quickly.
Yes, it was an exhilarating event to behold. The fun of humans in costume being beaten in a foot race by cute hoofed creatures. I'm sure plenty of Alaskans in attendance were hoping to witness a good antler poke or two as well.
Whatever the reason for each individual to participate, for me it is simply the fun of attending these weird Alaskan festivities. They are always unique. I have seen outhouse races, moose dropping contests, more sled dogs than I can count, and ice water plunges. The list goes on.
I love the community feeling of zany events, but there are many more people who would rather just stay home and watch a movie. It is beyond me how so many Americans feel that leaving their couch and doing anything more physical or interesting than shopping is too difficult. I guess that's their loss though. Crowds of people just block the view anyway--but three cheers for the folks who still know how to get out of the house and have some fun!!!!
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