Inside Alaska - Fairbanks, Denali, Interior and Arctic Alaska » Events

WEIO 2010: Two Foot High Kick, Ear Pull

FCVB — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:29:20 +0000

We were able to spend some time at the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics or WEIO again this year. We took pictures at two of the favorite (and most photogenic) events: the two-foot high kick and the ear-pull.

Here are descriptions of the events you see above from the WEIO website:

Ear Pull

In this event, there are two people sitting down facing each other with twine looped around each other’s ear – right ear to right ear, left to left. The two begin a “tug-of-war” to see who the winner is. Best two out of three wins the match. There are times when the loop will slip off one opponent’s ear – that person is the loser of that round. Each participant alternate each round using alternate ears. A game of stamina to pain, the victor demonstrates he/she can withstand pain, a trait sometimes needed to survive the harsh realities of the North.

Two-foot High Kick

This event is similar to the one-foot high kick with the difference being the athlete jumps off the floor using both feet, hits the suspended target with both feet together, and maintains balance upon reaching the floor. When landing both feet must touch the floor at the same time.

Years ago, in the coastal whaling villages, in order for the village to know that a whale has been taken, a runner would run back to the village and when within sight of the village, the messenger would jump and kick both feet into the air while running. In that manner, the people of the village would know a what was caught and prepare themselves to help in “beaching” the whale.

WEIO has a great website. Be sure to check it out for more. Also check the Inside Alaska archives for more photos and videos of WEIO from previous years.

6/25: New Things to Do, First Friday Next Week

FCVB — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:35:53 +0000

Today we got together with our Vice President of Visitor Services and Membership Karen Lane to discuss some new businesses and things to do, see or experience around Fairbanks. We also discussed the schedule for the upcoming First Friday art exhibit (July 2) here at the Morris Thompson Center.

Download the 6-25 KFBX Update

Clicking on Twitter: Midnight Sun, Cuteness, Solstice

FCVB — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:06:47 +0000

These are the seven most clicked links posted on our Twitter account over the past week. A great midnight sun photo tops the list with cute moose calves not far behind, followed up by a downtown shot from one of our recent 80 degree days. Our new Summer Solstice page was also trending and our Alaska Mileage plan auction saw some good traffic too.

Cool: Fairbanks midnight sun photo – http://ow.ly/1Sytu
Experienced cute-overload last night. Observed a cow moose and two young calves…took pictures – http://ow.ly/1Tcq9
Went to get a cup of coffee on my lunch break and took this photo on my phone: http://ow.ly/1Rp1c (Nearly 80 degrees and sunny out there!)
Great stuff: ‘Enjoy Summer Solstice in Fairbanks June 18-21, 2010′ – http://ow.ly/1SJ2e
Just heard the @alaskaair mileage plan auction of a great Fairbanks trip closed at 300,000 miles: http://ow.ly/1RoX4
Picture yourself in Denali National Park this summer: http://ow.ly/1RhZ4
Nice recent photo of the Chena River: http://ow.ly/1Fhnf Looking a lot like summer!

You can follow us on Twitter or see many of our latest links on Facebook too. We feature lots of photography, video and stories with occasional mention of Fairbanks events and travel deals.

New TV Spot: Experience Summer in Fairbanks

FCVB — Mon, 24 May 2010 18:29:08 +0000

We just began airing a summer TV spot, which you may see below. Great weather, midnight sun and an abundance of things to do are among the top reasons to visit! A typical summer weather forecast calls for sunny skies and nearly 80 degree temperatures – and there are always a bunch of great events scheduled.

Experience Summer in Fairbanks from insidealaska on Vimeo.

Start making your plans for a Fairbanks summer trip today!

WEIO 2009 Two Foot High Kick Video

FCVB — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:53:11 +0000

Imagine a ball suspended over seven feet in the air. Imagine yourself jumping and kicking it with both feet simultaneously, only to land, feet together, without stumbling. Tough to even picture in your mind, right? Well…the participants in the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics do just that and more. Here is a taste of the action from the two foot high kick preliminary at WEIO 2009 in Fairbanks.

WEIO 2009 Two Foot High Kick from insidealaska on Vimeo.

The WEIO homepage is a great place to find more video and lots of information on the games. Also check out our previous posts on WEIO. Is this cool stuff or what?

6/26: The Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center

FCVB — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:34:27 +0000

This week we take a few moments to focus on the Morris Thompson Center, the home of the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau and a great new community gathering place. If you are (or will be) in Fairbanks, be certain to stop by and pay us a visit. There are some great things to see here, and a variety of resources for helping you plan an Alaskan adventure.

Download the 6/26 Midday Update

Join us for our Holiday Open House

FCVB — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:00:19 +0000

Join us for a HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center (101 Dunkel Street in downtown Fairbanks) Saturday, December 13 from 12 to 4 pm. Light refreshments will be served and there will also be crafts for the kids. The day’s schedule will look like this:

12 pm – the film “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer”
1 pm – a reading of “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus”
2 pm – 9th Army Band performing holiday favorites
3:30 pm – Athabascan fiddle tunes with the Young Fiddlers and Bill Stevens

The Morris Thompson Center is home to the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau, Alaska Public Lands Information Center, Alaska Geographic, Denakkanaaga and Tanana Chiefs Conference Cultural Programs.

North Pole Christmas in Ice

FCVB — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:44:29 +0000

Interior Alaska is known for some of the best ice art competition and viewing in the world. For the second year in a row, North Pole is making ice sculpture a centerpiece of their Christmas Festivities with Christmas in Ice 2008.

The Christmas in Ice website announces the following schedule:

Thursday, December 4

8:00am – Ice Carving Competition (gates open at 11:00am)

Friday, December 5

7:00pm to 9:00pm – Competition Judging

Saturday, December 6

10:00am-2:00pm – Kids Carving Challenge

12:00pm-2:00pm – Interior Freight Dogs Practice Pull – Free to the Public!

3:00pm – Ice Carving Competition Awards Ceremony

4:00pm – Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

5:00pm – Winter Carnival Fireworks Display at the North Pole Mall

Sunday, December 7

2:00pm – Candle Lighting Ceremony at North Pole High School

Saturday, December 13

12:00pm-5:00pm – Sponsored by BP! Winter Picnic! FREE Admission to the Ice Park!

Saturday, December 20

12:00-4:00 – Interior Freight Dogs Association Competition

Thursday, December 25

2:00pm – Family Christmas Celebration with Santa Claus

We interviewed North Pole Mayor Doug Isaacson last year around this time about Christmas in Ice, and are happy to see a bigger and better competition this year!

WEIO 2008 Regalia Competition

FCVB — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:16:29 +0000

The craftsmanship displayed at this year’s World Eskimo-Indian Olympics Regalia was tremendous. His is a quick video montage from the pageant.

[See post to watch Flash video]

Video: Ear Pull Competition

FCVB — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:25:40 +0000

One of the most amazing and grueling events in the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics can be seen here. Don’t try this (not like you would anyway) at home!

They have more great videos on weio.org. A spectator has has also put together an ear pull montage from the 2008 WEIO competition.