Fairbanks Travel Guide

A recording of current local happenings can be reached at tel. 907/456-INFO (4636), maintained by the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau, which also posts an event calendar at www.explorefairbanks.com.

The Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race (tel. 907/452-7954; www.yukonquest.com) starts the second weekend in February 2008 in Fairbanks and ends more than a week later in Whitehorse (in odd-numbered years, the direction is reversed). Mushers say this rugged 1,000-mile race is even tougher than the Iditarod.

The Nenana Ice Classic (tel. 907/832-5446; www.nenanaakiceclassic.com) is a sweepstakes held annually since 1917 based on who can guess closest to the exact minute when the ice will go out on the Tanana River. The classic starts with Tripod Days, the first weekend in March, when they set up the so-called four-legged tripod; when it moves 100 feet it trips a clock, determining the winner. The Tripod Days celebration includes dance performances, dog mushing, and other activities.

Also in March, the World Ice Art Championships (tel. 907/451-8250; www.icealaska.com) brings carvers from all over the world to sculpt immense, clear chunks cut from a Fairbanks pond. It's worth planning a visit around. Ice sculptures stand in the Ice Park near the corner of Peger and Phillips Field roads. In 2008, professional carving will be February 27 to February 28 (single block) and March 2 to March 7 (multiblock), with the best viewing of completed sculptures March 8 to March 18. Amateur and junior carving will take place March 1 to March 14. The park stays open until the last Sunday in March. Among ice carvers, Fairbanks' ice is famous for its clarity and the great size of the chunks. Some spectacular ice sculptures stand as tall as two-story buildings. Check the website for pictures of past winners.

The North American Sled Dog Championships (tel. 907/457-MUSH [6874]; www.sleddog.org) are the oldest running, taking place over two weekends in mid-March. Sprint mushers from all over the world compete with teams of as many as 24 dogs, streaking away from the starting line on 2nd Avenue or the Chena River.

Lots of events happen around the summer solstice, usually June 21. The Midnight Sun Run (tel. 907/452-6046; www.midnightsunrun.org) is a 10K race and walk, with winners chosen for both their times and their funny costumes. The race is run on or near the solstice. It starts at 10pm on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus and ends at Pioneer Park.

The Midnight Sun Baseball Game, hosted by the semipro Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks (tel. 907/451-0095; www.goldpanners.com), begins at 10:30pm on the solstice. The game, which began with a pair of pick-up teams in 1906, is played with no artificial lights. The 'Panners have hosted since 1960.

Also in June, the free Fairbanks Summer Folk Fest (tel. 907/460-7014 or 455-6528; www.alaskasbest.com/fairbanksfolkfest) fills a Pioneer Park lawn with music, food, and art booths; live music starts at 1pm and lasts late into the night.

The Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, held the last 2 weeks in July on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus (tel. 907/474-8869; www.fsaf.org), brings artists of international reputation for performance and teaching. Classes are for all levels in music, dance, theater, opera, creative writing, visual arts, healing arts, and other subject areas (July 13-27, 2008).

The Tanana Valley State Fair (tel. 907/452-3750; www.tananavalleyfair.org), in early August, shows off the area's agricultural production, arts and crafts, businesses, and entertainment, and includes rides and competitive exhibits.

In late August, Friends of Creamer's Field (tel. 907/459-7307) hosts an annual Sandhill Crane Festival, with nature walks, lectures, and other activities, mostly at Creamer's Field.

The BP Top of the World Classic, November 20 to November 23, 2008, brings NCAA Division I basketball teams to the University of Alaska Fairbanks for a weekend tournament (tel. 907/474-5977; www.alaskananooks.com, click on "Tournaments" under "Nanook Links").