Page 50 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

48  INTRODUCING ALASK A

Bald eagles crowding cottonwood trees in the fall, Haines
each, who race along the return of the bald eagles to
Fall
110-mile (176-km) Klondike the Chilkat Valley in the fall.
As tourists and seasonal Highway between Skagway and Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska
workers leave, birch trees turn Whitehorse, Canada, following Shoot-Out (Thanksgiving
yellow, the air fills with the the 1890s Gold Rush trail. weekend), Anchorage. The
scent of woodsmoke, and University of Alaska Anchorage
over half the state’s population October hosts top basket ball teams in
ends up at the Alaska State Alaska Day (Oct 18), across one of the largest pre-season
Fair. With winter approaching, Alaska. Celebrated statewide, tournaments in the US.
the frenetic activity of summer this day marks Russia’s hand ing
begins to wind down, with over of Alaska to the US in
one last burst of excitement 1867. Sitka has one of the Winter
on Alaska Day. largest festivals, featuring In early winter, Christmas
wonderful Russian costumes preparations dominate, and
September and dances, a parade, and Alaska’s snow and cold pro vide
Alaska State Fair (Aug–Sep), a re-enactment of the flag- a quintessential holiday
Palmer. This extremely popu lar raising ceremony. atmosphere. After New Year,
11-day event attracts visi tors those who haven’t migrated
from all over the state with November to warmer climes participate
agricultural exhibits (including Alaska Bald Eagle Festival in winter festivities, including
gargantuan vegeta bles), (2nd week), Haines. Live music, ice-sculpture contests, indoor
livestock auctions, art, food photography work shops, and sports, dog sled races, and
and retail booths, rides, music lectures fête the phenomenal ski events.
and theater perfor mances,
lumberjack shows, and other
daily events.
Kodiak State Fair and Rodeo
(1st weekend), Kodiak. Stock-
car racing, a rodeo, and live
music are the highlights of
this small fair.
Labor Day (1st Mon), across
Alaska. Although this is
celebrated statewide, Nome
hosts the quirkiest events,
including a Rubber Duck
Race and a Bathtub Race.
Klondike Trail of ‘98
International Road Relay (early
Sep), Skagway to Whitehorse.
This demanding relay attracts
up to 150 teams of 10 runners Taking an icy dip in the Polar Bear Jump-Off, Seward

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