Fur Rendezvous Festival facts for kids

The Fur Rendezvous Festival, often called Fur Rondy, is a super fun winter festival held every year in Anchorage, Alaska. It happens in late February. Many people in Anchorage look forward to Fur Rondy. It means that the long winter is almost over and spring is coming! In 2012, National Geographic Traveler even said Fur Rendezvous was the best winter festival in the whole world.

How Fur Rondy Started

The name "Fur Rendezvous" comes from old-time "swap meets." At these meets, fur trappers would gather to sell the furs they collected during winter. In early Anchorage, these meetings usually happened in mid-February.

In 1935, Anchorage was a small town with only about 3,000 people. It was also very far away from other places. To bring everyone together and cheer them up, a local named Vern Johnson started a three-day sports event. He called it the Winter Sports Carnival. It was planned for the same time as the fur trappers' gathering. This made the town much more lively.

The fur trade was a very important business in Alaska back then. So, it made sense to include it in the event. In 1937, the festival was renamed the Winter Sports Tournament and Fur Rendezvous. Later, it became just Fur Rendezvous.

In the early days, many miners and trappers had beards. So, a fun "rule" was made! All men had to grow beards for the festival. If they didn't, they might have to pay a small fine! Most men thought this was a fun part of the event and joined in.

Fur Rendezvous was stopped during World War II. But it started again in 1946. After the war, people from outside Alaska began to visit the festival. It has been held every year since then. Since 1955, a non-profit group called Greater Anchorage, Inc. has run the event.

For a long time, Fur Rendezvous lasted ten days. But since 2004, it has been longer, going into early March. This helps it connect with the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. This way, even more visitors come to Anchorage.

Fun Events at Fur Rondy

The first Winter Sports Carnival had skiing, hockey, basketball, boxing, and a sled dog race for kids. There was also a big bonfire and a torchlight parade. Today, Fur Rondy has over 100 different events! Here are some of the most popular ones:

• Rondy Grand Prix – This is the oldest street race in the U.S.
• Official Fur Rondy Fur Auction – This event is like the original fur trade gathering. It has been part of the festival since the very beginning.
• Miners' and Trappers' Charity Ball and Mr. Fur Face Beard Contest – This contest started in 1950. People grow their beards as long as they can. Then they dye them, decorate them, and shape them for the contest!
• World Championship Sled Dog Race – This exciting sled dog race started in 1946. A women's race was added in 1953. It lasts three days and covers 75 miles. Mushers (people who drive dog sleds) come from all over Alaska and the world to compete. Sometimes, this race is canceled if the weather is too warm. The last time it was canceled was in 2006.
• World Championship Dog Weight Pull – Since 1967, sled dogs try to pull the heaviest weight possible in this contest.
• Miss Fur Rendezvous Pageant – This pageant was also called Miss Fur Rondy. It took place from the late 1950s through the mid-1970s.
• Snow Sculpture Competition – Artists create amazing sculptures out of snow.
• Fur Rondy Carnival – A fun carnival with rides and games.
• Frostbite Footrace – People in Costumes run through downtown Anchorage.
• Rondy Grand Parade – A big, colorful parade.
• Running of the Reindeer – This funny event started in 2008. Groups of people run down a street in downtown Anchorage. Then, a group of reindeer is released behind them! The reindeer charge through the runners. It's a silly version of the famous "Running of the Bulls" in Pamplona.
• Rondy on Ice – A beautiful figure skating show.
• World Ice Bowling Championships – Bowling on ice!

Many events are quite funny and unique. For example, the Outhouse Races involve teams building outhouses and pulling them on skis with someone inside! There's also snowshoe softball where people play softball while wearing snowshoes. Other events focus on Alaska Native culture. These include the Multi-Tribal Gathering and the Charlotte Jensen Native Arts Market.

Collectible Pins

Since 1939, special pins have been made and sold every year. These pins help raise money for the festival. They have become very popular items for collectors. Older or rare pins can sell for more than $100! The Kiwanis Club of Anchorage sells pins and booster buttons. They dress up like "Keystone Cops" during the festival. In the parade, these "Rondy Kops" playfully "arrest" people. They put them in a mobile jail until they buy a pin or button to be released!