Summer Festivals in Alaska

Culturally, location, and climate-wise, Alaska is like a world apart form the rest of the United States. It has its own distinctive feel that is not entirely in line with the rest of the continental U.S., and that sets the stage for some one-of-a-kind festivals to be held during the Alaskan summer. What can you expect from a trip to Alaska if not to commune with nature? Well, that is definitely one thing you will have the opportunity to do at Alaska summer festivals.

If you love birds, you should try to make it to Homer, Alaska at least once during the summer for their annual Shorebird festival. With birding workshops, bay cruises, and performances and activities, the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival focuses on the migration of twenty five species of bird, and you can expect around one hundred thousand birds to be in attendance! The festival takes place at Kachemak Bay May 10-13.

More interested in what comes out of the ocean than what flies over it? The Kodiak Crab Festival is meant to honor the commercial fishing industry. It includes rides, a parade, and kayak and bike races, and one of the more interesting aspects is a search and rescue demonstration that is actually performed by the US Coast Guard. The festival takes place May 24-28 in downtown Kodiak.

If you really want to experience a festival that cannot occur anywhere else in the United States, visit Fairbanks, Alaska on June 21^st for the Midnight Sun Festival. Spread out over First, Second and Third avenues in downtown Fairbanks, the festival honors, and takes place on, the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. The name is accurate, as, unless global warming does too much damage before June 21^st, the sun should still be shining in Fairbanks at midnight. You won't see that in any other state! Featuring over forty bands on three stages, food and a classic car show, this is one giant celebration, and truly can be claimed to be completely unique to its region.

If you don't think salmon when you think Alaska, you must have missed that day in school! The very plentiful regional fish is honored at Cordova's Wild Copper River Salmon Days on July 7^th and 8^th. Located on Copper River Highway, the Wild Copper River Salmon Days feature five fun runs, each run named for a species of pacific salmon. There is also plenty of music to when participants are finally worn out at the Salmon Jam music festival.

Need even more Alaskan culture? You can get it at the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics. Started in an effort to preserve the culture of the native Eskimo and Indian people, the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics features friendly competitions, with sporting events, such as the Two Foot High Kick, a Native Baby Regalia contest and Miss WEIO Pageant. This largest celebration of native culture in Alaska takes place at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage July 18-21^st.

When it comes to culture and regional highlights, no state's summer festivals gives greater respect to its past than Alaska's.