Bearfest, the annual event celebrating bears and their environment, will emerge from hibernation starting Wednesday, July 30. The festival, now in its 16th year, features symposiums, cultural and educational activities, art and photo workshops, fine dining, a marathon and a bear safety session.

Among the workshops, children and adults can learn to create prints using real sea creatures and acrylic paints.

Ray Troll’s presentation on Saturday will likely be a big draw, said Bearfest organizer Sylvia Ettefagh.

Troll is a Ketchikan artist and scientist, known for his colorful, surrealist images of fish, sea creatures, bears, dinosaurs, fossils and other animals, available on posters, T-shirts and even bags of coffee.

“Ray is very popular, and I expect he will attract a lot of people on Saturday,” Ettefagh said.

“We’re also really kicking up our activities at the Nolan Center on Saturday. We’re mixing food and live music, and there’s just more activity on Saturday this year.”

All of the events are free, unless otherwise noted.

Gourmet dinner and auction

One highlight of Bearfest is the gourmet dinner and fundraising auction at the Stikine Inn and Restaurant, set for 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1. Tickets went on sale July 8, on a first-come, first-served basis, and sold out the next day, Ettefagh said.

The dinner will feature cuisine by James Beard Award-winning Chef Renee Erickson, co-owner of several Seattle establishments known for highlighting Pacific Northwest bounty with European flair. Live music will be provided by Mountain Music, Dan Powers and Matt Henson.

Golf tournament

Golfers can participate in a tournament at Muskeg Meadows on Saturday, Aug. 2. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with a 10 a.m. starting tee time. The entrance fee is $25. More information is available at wrangellalaskagolf.com.

Marathon events

Fitness enthusiasts can close out Bearfest on Sunday, Aug. 3, by participating in a full marathon, half marathon, 5K run, walk or ride. Aid stations with water, Gatorade, snacks and energy bars will be provided approximately every two miles.

The first-place finisher of the 26.2-mile full marathon (13.1 miles out and back on Zimovia Highway) will receive a trip for two to the Anan Wildlife Observatory.

A marathon pasta feed is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, to provide a carbohydrate load before the races. It is free for all full- and half-marathon runners. Attendance is not mandatory but recommended, as organizers will discuss the route and answer questions.

Registration fees are:

Full marathon: $50 for early registrants and Saturday dinner attendees; $65 on race day.

Half marathon: $25 for early registrants and Saturday dinner attendees; $35 on race day.

5K run: Free for early registrants and Saturday dinner attendees; $15 on race day.

For more information and schedule updates, call 907-874-2998 or visit alaskabearfest.org.

Tentative schedule

Wednesday, July 30

10 a.m.: Art workshop, Gyotaku, the Japanese art of printing (Nolan Center lobby)

11 a.m.: Bear safety workshop (outdoor shooting range)

3 p.m.: Wrangell T3 students and Friends of Anan presentation about the bear cams (Nolan Center)

4:30 p.m.: COSI (Center of Science and Industry) presentation (Nolan Center)

Thursday, July 31

10 a.m.: Art workshop, Gyotaku, the Japanese art of printing (Nolan Center lobby)

10:30 a.m.: Read with a Ranger (Irene Ingle Public Library gazebo)

11:30 a.m.: COSI with the kids (Irene Ingle Public Library gazebo)

Noon: Beary pie contest; bring entry pies by 11:30 a.m. (Nolan Center lobby)

3 p.m.: Native stories and culture (Chief Shakes Tribal House)

6 p.m.: Symposium led by Matthias Breiter on “The Social Bear” (Nolan Center)

Friday, Aug. 1

1 p.m.: Maximizing your photography, led by Jonathon Dawe (Nolan Center classroom)

6 p.m.: Dinner and auction (Stikine Restaurant)

Saturday, Aug. 2

10 a.m.: Golf tournament (Muskeg Meadows)

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Community Market (Nolan Center)

10 a.m.: Art Fun for All, printing on your choice of materials (Nolan Center)

11 a.m.: Kids games (Nolan Center lawn)

Noon: Cooking demonstration (Nolan Center)

1:30 p.m.: Presentation by Ketchikan naturalist and artist Ray Troll, “Inspired by Bear” (Nolan Center)

3 p.m.: Smoked salmon contest; deliver entries by 2:30 p.m. (Nolan Center lobby)

5 p.m.: Marathon pasta feed (Nolan Center lobby)

8 p.m.: Live music (Marine Bar)

Sunday, Aug. 3

7 a.m.: Race registration (Nolan Center)

8-8:30 a.m.: Race starts (Nolan Center)

8 a.m.: Regular start for half and full marathon

8:30 a.m.: Start for 5K walkers, runners and bikers

(6 a.m.: Self-timed early start for full marathon only)

Noon-ish: Raffle prize drawing (Nolan Center)