From a “beary” pie contest to a cub-o-war, art workshops, live music and a usually sold-out dinner, BearFest is returning for its 14th year. The activities start July 26.
The popular educational and cultural event celebrates bears and the surrounding environment. Along with the activities, educational opportunities and symposiums and a bear safety session are planned.
One of the more popular features of BearFest is the dinner and fundraising auction held at the Stikine Inn and Restaurant, which will begin at 6 p.m. July 28. Tickets went on sale last week and were sold out by Monday, July 10. People can still call to be put on a waitlist for the tickets, which are $100 each.
For endurance fanatics, there is the well-known marathon, half marathon and 5K run, walk and ride which will close out BearFest on July 30. The first-place finisher of the full-marathon race (26.2 miles, 13.1 miles out and back on Zimovia Highway) will pull the winning raffle ticket for two roundtrip tickets anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.
Bear quilts — images of bears, not made by bears — will be on display all month at the Nolan Center.
For more information and schedule updates, see alaskaBearFest.org.
The tentative schedule for this month’s events is:
Wednesday, July 26
10 a.m., art workshop
Nolan Center lobby
Art projects for kids and families. All supplies provided.
11 a.m., bear safety workshop
Outdoor shooting range
Learn about bear behavior, safe and effective use of bear spray, and more.
Noon, “beary” pie contest
Nolan Center lobby
Judging for the best pie made from local berries. Entries should be delivered to the Nolan Center by 11:30 a.m.
1 p.m., “Baby Raven Reads”
Sponsored by Sealaska Heritage Institute, bear stories to help promote early learning literacy skills, plus there will be activities. Intended for children ages 0 to 5 — though elders, siblings and all who want to learn are welcome to attend.
6 p.m., symposium
Nolan Center
David Buth, on the economic and social benefits of wildlife viewing.
Thursday, July 27
10 a.m., art workshop
Nolan Center lobby
Art project for adults. All supplies provided.
11 a.m., photo workshop
Location to be determined and day may change.
1 p.m., “Tree Talk”
Nolan Center classroom
Elizabeth Graham, with the U.S. Forest Service in Juneau, will talk about the Western black-headed budworm.
2 p.m., “Cub Plunge”
City pool
BearFest games in the pool. Open to the public. Children under 7 need a parent or guardian older than 14 in the water. Non-swimmers under 48-inches tall need a lifejacket.
6 p.m., symposium
Topic to be announced.
Friday, July 28
11 a.m., “Read with a Ranger”
Irene Ingle Public Library gazebo
Children’s books with U.S. Forest Service interpreter Corree Delabrue.
11 a.m. plant walk
Nature Trail on the Volunteer Loop
4 p.m., Native stories and dance
Chief Shakes Tribal House
Enjoy a presentation of Tlingit heritage and culture.
6 p.m., dinner and auction
Stikine Restaurant
Gourmet dinner by Puget Sound chef Matthew Woolen, currently a research development chef with Chef Steps. “Matthew’s passion has taken him from pastry chef … to owning his own plant-based ice cream company,” BearFest organizers said. The auction will include outdoor gear, handmade goods, seafood, fresh fruit boxes and more. Live music with Matt Eckstine will be featured. Tickets are limited. Call Alaska Vistas at 907-874-3006.
Saturday, July 29
10 a.m., golf tournament
Muskeg Meadows
Registration starts at 9 a.m.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., community market
Locally made goods, produce, handmade items, baked goods, art and more.
11 a.m., kids games
Nolan Center lawn
The famous BearFest fish toss, cub-o-war and more, including a Forest Service camp setup.
Noon, cooking demonstration
Nolan Center
2 p.m., jam session and music workshop
Nolan Center
Jam session and workshop with Matt Eckstine.
3 p.m., smoked salmon contest
Nolan Center lobby
Deliver entries by 2:30 p.m.
6 p.m., marathon pasta feed
Nolan Center lobby
Pasta dinner for half- and full-marathon runners only. Attendance is not mandatory but participants are encouraged to pick up swag bags, check out the course maps and receive information for race day.
8 p.m., live music
Location to be determined
With Matt Eckstine and Eric Daubert. Matt, formerly of the Accomplices and the Chameleons, returns to BearFest.
Sunday, July 30
Marathon and other runs/walks
Start at the Nolan Center
6 a.m., self-timed early start for full marathon only
7 a.m., race registration
7-7:45 a.m., full marathon, half marathon and 5K registration
8-8:30 a.m., race starts
8 a.m., regular start for half and full marathon
8:30 a.m., start for 5K walkers, runners and bikers
Noon-ish, raffle drawing
Nolan Center
The first marathon finisher will draw the winning ticket for two roundtrip tickets on Alaska Airlines.
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