World Eskimo-Indian Olympics, July 16-19
July 9, 2008 | Tags: Events, Native Culture, Video
For time immemorial, Native peoples of the circumpolar areas of the world have gathered in small villages to participate in games of strength, endurance, balance, and agility. Along with these athletic games, dancing, story telling, and other audience participation games took place. This provided an opportunity for friendly competition, entertainment and laughter. The hosts provided food and lodging, and visitors brought news from surrounding villages and expanded opportunities for challenge building and renewing old and new friendships. This is the background of the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics and the atmosphere, which we seek to replicate. - WEIO.org
The World Eskimo-Indian Olympics are a must-see competition! Fairbanks is proud to welcome every visitor and participant one week from today (July 16)!
Enjoy video clips of the many wonderful events including: the arm pull, stick pull, one hand reach, two foot high kick and blanket toss, then plan to attend today!
103rd Midnight Sun Baseball Game
May 13, 2008 | Tags: Baseball, Events, Goldpanners, Video
The Alaska Goldpanners will be hosting the California Running Birds during the 103rd Midnight Sun Game. Big news from this year’s game includes the official launch of the Goldpanners Alumni, and the addition of Bill “Spaceman” Lee as starting pitcher. This game has an amazing history, featuring some of baseball’s all-time great players, including Barry Bonds, Tom Seaver and Dave Winfield.
Find out more from the ESPN feature on the game (below) or this more recent story from Yahoo!, then be sure to put the June 21st game on your Fairbanks summer itinerary. It is one of the top ten Ultimate Baseball Experiences, and a Fairbanks Midnight Sun sports tradition.
Come see the fine young players, one of whom may emerge as the next great Major League star, during the Midnight Sun Game at Growden Memorial Park on June 21, 2008! Full details can be found at the Goldpanners homepage.
Enter Before the End of March
March 17, 2008 | Tags: Photos, Video
Entrants in our Fairbanks and Interior Alaska Photo Contest for the first quarter will be judged by our staff at the end of this month. There have been some terrific pictures submitted, and the variety this time around is better than ever. If you’ve been a Fairbanks visitor and have photos to share, we’d love to see them. You still have a couple of weeks to get in on this month’s judging, just read the entry rules and upload up to five favorites. Click play above to see a video montage of some of the best recent entries.
Winter’s Unsurpassed Display of Northern Lights
January 11, 2008 | Tags: Northern Lights, Video
The residents of Fairbanks, Alaska are accustomed to spectacular views of the aurora borealis or northern lights. Most people view from their homes, but many travel out of town, away from the city lights for the most spectacular views. A dynamic aurora covers the entire sky, dancing wildly while flashing brilliant colors of green, whitish-blue, or even red.
The above aurora video was taken in Fairbanks last February. As well as a magnificent (mostly green) display, it shows chemical trails in the ionosphere; a result of test rocket fire from Poker Flat Research Range. Thank you Paul Jensen!
When is the best time of the year to view the aurora?
In Fairbanks, observations of the aurora may be made from middle to late August to middle April. The spring months of January, February, March and April are often the best time to view the aurora because of better weather, however, Fall can be just as cooperative weather-wise. The truth of the matter is, the northern lights can occur almost anytime.
What time of the day is the best time to see the aurora?
The time for viewing is between evening and morning civil twilights on clear or partly cloudy nights. Major storms can occur anytime, and local intensification is most common between 10 pm and 2 am.
Why Fairbanks?
Fairbanks sits under what is called the auroral oval, a ring shaped region around the North Pole where auroras occur. Statistically, Fairbanks averages 243 nights per year when it is possible to see the aurora.
More information?
Download additional aurora information, get answers to some frequently asked northern lights questions, or check the aurora forecast when planning your visit.
Photo Contest Winners
December 12, 2007 | Tags: Photos, Video
We want to thank everyone who participated in our Fairbanks and Interior Alaska Photo Contest! There were some wonderful photographs, and everyone on staff had a difficult time selecting their favorites. Below is a video montage of some of the best entries.
This contest is open year-round, so if you have photos to share, be our guest. Here are the top three choices this month: First Place, Second Place, Third Place.
Into the Heart of a North Pole Christmas
December 11, 2007 | Tags: Christmas in Ice, North Pole, Video
Today our Video Journey begins at the Santa Land RV Park in North Pole, just a twenty minute drive from Fairbanks. Join Susan Keltner, speaking with North Pole Mayor Doug Isaacson about his city, and the first-ever Christmas in Ice.
Find out more at Ice Alaska.com, or North Pole Alaska.com. Make sure you click on the “Web Cams” link for a constantly updated view of the park. If you have any ideas for future Inside Alaska episodes, please leave a comment with details.
Into the Heart of Downtown
August 29, 2007 | Tags: Downtown, Video
Today our Video Journey begins at the Log Cabin Visitor Information Center near Golden Heart Plaza. Join us as we Journey into the heart of the Last Frontier, for the very first time!
Any ideas for future Inside Alaska episodes? Leave a comment with details.
