Bearfest is returning for its 15th year on July 24 – 28.
The annual event is dedicated to bears and the surrounding environment, where attendees can enjoy symposiums, cultural and educational activities, art and photo workshops, fine dining, marathons, a bear safety session and more.
In two of the workshops, kids and families are invited to create bear-themed ornaments to decorate the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree and smaller companion trees that will represent Alaska in Washington, D.C., this holiday season. The trees are coming from the Tongass National Forest.
One popular Bearfest feature has been the gourmet dinner and fundraising auction held at the Stikine Inn and Restaurant, which will begin at 6 p.m. July 26. Tickets went on sale Monday, July 8, on a first-come, first-served basis. The dinner will feature cuisine by Chef Lauren Thompson from Café Lago in Seattle, who has been cooking and teaching for over 20 years.
The auction will include outdoor gear, handmade goods and more. There will be live music with Jackson Roltgen, Dan Powers and Matt Henson. For more information, call Alaska Vistas at 907-874-3006.
Golfers can take part in a tournament at Muskeg Meadows, with an entrance fee of $25, registration at 9 a.m. and tee time at 10 a.m. on July 27. For more information visit wrangellalaskagolf.com.
Fitness and endurance enthusiasts can participate in the full marathon, half marathon, 5K run, and walk and ride which will close out Bearfest on July 28. Aid stations with water, Gatorade, snacks and energy bars will be provided about every two miles.
The first-place finisher of the full-marathon race (26.2 miles, 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 at 5 p.m. July 27 to provide a carbo load before the races and will be free for all full- and half-marathon runners. Attendance is not mandatory but recommended, as organizers will discuss the route and be available to answer questions.
The full marathon will cost $50 for early registrants and Saturday dinner attendees, or $65 on race day. The half marathon will cost $25 for early registrants and Saturday dinner attendees, or $35 on race day. The 5K run will be free for early registrants and Saturday dinner attendees, or $15 on race day.
For more information and schedule updates, call 907-874-2998 or visit the website at alaskabearfest.org.
The tentative schedule is:
Wednesday, July 24
10 a.m., art workshop for Capitol Christmas tree bear ornaments
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
Judging for the best pie made from local berries. Entries should be delivered to the Nolan Center by 11:30 a.m.
6 p.m., symposium
Nolan Center
Jennifer Kardiak, of the U.S. Forest Service, “Witnessing the Wild: Exploring Similarities and Differences in Bear Viewing and Management.”
Thursday, July 25
10 a.m., art workshop
All supplies provided.
3 p.m., Native stories and dance
Chief Shakes Tribal House
Presentation of Tlingit heritage and culture.
6 p.m., symposium
Nolan Center
Kate Kendall , retired U.S. Geological Survey staffer, on the evolution and history of bears.
Anne Braaten, retired bear management biologist of North Cascades National Park in Washington state.
Friday, July 26
11 a.m., “Read with a Ranger”
Irene Ingle Public Library gazebo
Children’s books with U.S. Forest Service interpreter Corree Delabrue.
6 p.m., dinner and auction
Stikine Restaurant
Gourmet dinner by chef Lauren Thompson.
Saturday, July 27
10 a.m., golf tournament
Muskeg Meadows
Registration starts at 9 a.m.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., community market
Nolan Center
Locally made goods, produce, handmade items, baked goods, art and more.
10:30 a.m. to noon, face painting
Allison Koch, professional face painter from Ellensburg, Washington, offering bear, salmon and other designs for children of all ages. Donations accepted.
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
Chef Lauren Thompson demonstrates techniques and ideas for aspiring chefs and home cooks.
2 p.m., jam session and music workshop
Nolan Center
Jam session and workshop with Jackson Roltgen.
2:30 p.m., Workshop on human/bear conflict prevention
Nolan Center
Isabel Grant of Defenders of Wildlife shows how to install an electric fence around bear attractants and get up to $500 from Defenders of Wildlife.
3 p.m., smoked salmon contest
Judging for the best local salmon smoker. Deliver entries by 2:30 p.m.
5 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.
6:30 p.m., symposium
Nolan Center
John Hechtel, International Bear Association president and wildlife biologist with Alaska Department of Fish and Game, on the evolution of bear research and management.
8 p.m., live music
Marine Bar
Jackson Roltgen, the Powers and local musicians.
Sunday, July 28
Marathon and other runs/walks
Start at the Nolan Center
6 a.m., self-timed early start for full marathon only
7 to 7:45 a.m., race registration
Participants can register for full marathon, half marathon and 5K
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 anywhere Alaska Airlines flies. You don’t have to be present to win.
4 p.m., symposium
Elizabeth Graham, U.S. Forest Service entomologist on the impact of the western blackheaded budworm in Southeast.
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