It's Christmas ornament time in July at Bearfest

Bearfest this week provides an opportunity for people to try their artistic skills at making holiday ornaments. In the shape of bears, of course. But nothing ordinary about these ornaments — they will hang on the national Christmas tree on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

The U.S. Forest Service has selected a tree from the Wrangell Ranger District of the Tongass National Forest — they won’t say which one yet — and the agency has called on Alaskans to create 10,000 ornaments for the big tree and multiple smaller trees that will be displayed around the capital city.

Wrangell should do as much as it can to send in ornaments, said Sylvia Ettefagh, a volunteer organizer for Bearfest. To make it easier, the high school shop class cut out 200 ornament-size bear shapes, half in wood and half in aluminum, ready for painting at two art workshops this week, she said.

There is no charge to participate in the workshops, both at the Nolan Center. Paint and supplies will be provided.

The workshop for children and families is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, with teens and adults invited to the 10 a.m. Thursday, July 25, workshop. Anyone with questions can contact Joan Sargent at 907-874-4593 or jjsargent143@gmail.com.

In addition to creating holiday ornaments for the nation’s Christmas tree, the five-day Bearfest schedule includes symposiums, a pie-making contest, golf tournament, community market, a marathon — and a lot more starting Wednesday and running through Sunday.

“The biggest highlight is the variety of offerings,” Ettefagh said.

Such as the workshop on preventing conflicts with bears, including protecting chickens from hungry bruins. The workshop — at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, at the Nolan Center — will provide information on how people can receive a grant of up to $500 from the Defenders of Wildlife to pay toward installing an electric fence around their yard, Ettefagh said.

The smoked salmon contest will follow immediately after the workshop, at 3 p.m. Entrants are asked to bring their smoked salmon to the Nolan Center by 2:30 p.m. Saturday for judging.

Other Bearfest events include a presentation of Tlingit heritage and culture, planned for 3 p.m. Thursday at Chief Shakes Tribal House, and the community market 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Nolan Center.

The full schedule is at alaskabearfest.org.