I have never, in my 51 years of age, attended a festival that lasted 10 full days. It almost felt as if we were running a festive marathon and for one second, I reminded myself of what my Indian friends told me about their Indian weddings and how they last for weeks and sometimes months. And, perhaps Fur Rondy has prepared us for India. Living in Alaska for the past 8 months, I can honestly say, this place has trained us on many levels for our global expedition, but for now let’s talk about FUR RONDY!
The Fur Rondy Experience
12 days of excitement around Anchorage!
First of all, shout out to my friend April from Glenallen, we ran into her in Costco in Anchorage, she told us all about Fur Rondy and that we must check it out. The funny thing is that Mateu and I have been photographing parts of Anchorage in February and I took that photo above, not knowing what was to come. Living in Anchorage, for almost 7 months, we had zero idea. As soon as I hot home, that day, researched and verified the event. Very excited I called the Rondy headquarters next day, asked them if they were willing and able to extend 3 media passes for us and the rest is history and tons of rest after the event. After a few conversations and email exchanges about our We Are The World Project’s mission, we were received and granted 3 passes. Next day I visited the Rondy headquarters to pick up our media passes and the welcoming was beautiful. We made it into this epic Alaskan event and the rest is history. Shout out! to Megan, Kristen and Dakota from Rondy, thank you for your kindness, generosity and hospitality, you ladies are awesome!
Let's see...Where Shall We Begin?
A little Fur Rondy history
What started as a trade rendezvous in the 1930’s where miners, trappers, traders would literally trek to meet in Anchorage with their goods, after rough months in the wilderness to exchange all kinds of stories and trade, has transitioned within its 91 years as a beloved North Americas’s largest winter festival bringing the Alaskan community and its visitors together during the long Alaskan winters. Something fun, traditional, sporty and eventful, what more can you ask for. By 1935, Anchorage launched and made official Fur Rendezvous. Today the festival includes sports, Alaskan traditions, fireworks, music events, parades, deer runnings, snow sculptures and much more fun. The Fur Rondy event is held in the month of February for 9 days.
The Fur Rondy Shop
DAY 1
FEBRUARY 27th
Rondy World Championship Sled Dog Races
Rondy Carnival
The Alaska Railroad Train Show
The race started at 12 noon and ended about 2 pm, with our media passes, we had the privilege of watching the dog sled race from the second floor and inside the barriers. They provided us with some snacks and most importantly a warm place to thaw out our photography equipment and ourselves, sunny but super cold. Today is my birthday and a memorable way to celebrate, the first day of Fur Rondy Festival, it’s 91st year of this epic event, I already feel blessed.
The Behind The Scenes
Where The Magic Happens And Its History
That is the Rondy headquarters and the oldest commercial building in the Municipality of Anchorage, known as The Wendler building, built in 1915 by Tony and Florence Wendler, first it was a store then they converted to a boarding house, then Mrs. Wendler and her daughters opened Club 25 as an exclusive private club for women. The Wendler building was also moved from its original location at 4th and I Street to its current location and in 1988 was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in Anchorage, Alaska.
Kool 97.3, the local Anchorage, Alaska radio station
Our day started at the warming station, while setting up our devices, watching the dog sled preparation while enjoying some snacks and chatting with others.
The Official Fur Rondy Festival 2026 Guide
Dog Sled Highlights
The Beautiful Fur Rendezvous Ladies
Carnival
The Alaska Railroad Train Show
DAY 2
FEBRUARY 28th
Rondy Outhouse Races
Blanket Toss
Rondy Fireworks Party
Conoco Phillips Fireworks Extravaganza
If you clicked and read through the Rondy Guide, you probably know, we missed a few events. However… I will ask you cut us some slack, Mateu and I have never experienced such event and we were doing the best we can, it was extremely cold, in the single digits and between running from one place to another, documenting everything possible, February 28th, was a packed day for us.
Rondy Outhouse Races
Well, well, well, here is an event we never knew existed until Fur Rondy Festival and definitely did not want to miss this hilarious event. This was so much fun to watch, who knew outhouses could be so exciting.
Blanket Toss
The blanket toss is Native Alaskan/Indigenous tradition. The blanket is made of thick animal skin, hand stitched to withhold the pulling and lifting motions during the process of tossing. The process of this beautiful tradition is done by about 12 people in a circle. I actually did the toss pulling before Mateu got tossed up in the air, because we all worked together, the pulling was not
Fireworks & Extravaganza
The Silent Auction
The Elegance
Fireworks & Extravaganza
Elegance & Masquerade
The Rondy Fireworks Party was amazing! We had the opportunity to attend and document this fun party at the Crimson hotel. It was a masquerade themed event, the hotel staff was spectacular and friendly, foods and desserts were delicious, music was great, fun crowd of people overall people and overall, well organized.
The Deliciousness
The Charcuterie
The Horderves
The Desserts
Let The Party Begin
DAY 3
MARCH 4th
Charlotte Jensen Native Arts Market
So… Naturally, I needed three days off to recover from wonderful fireworks and Cunoco Phillips extravaganza party, and we saved some energy for todays event, which was highly recommended by Megan K. with Rondy social media department, (shout out again to our friend Megan, for giving us access to such notable event, thank you, thank you!). And wow! How happy we were to have visited the Native Market, honestly one of our favorite experiences in Alaska. This was a very special way to meet some beautiful Alaskan Natives/ Indigenous people of Alaska and experience some of their traditional art and crafts. This is truly a highlight for us, we drove all the way from New Jersey to meet the Alaskan cultures, chat with them and see their beautiful goods, made by them personally, a real treat and by the way, some participants came from very far away villages to attend this Native Market. This is a must when attending Fur Rondy Festival.
Meet Bobby Qalutaksraq Brower, founder and designer of Arctic Luze an Inupiat fashion company. She is kind, friendly and a talented fashion designer in Alaska with a reputation in the fashion and entertainment industry for her Parkas. articluxe.com
instagram: @arcticluxe_
DAY 4
MARCH 5th
Charlotte Jensen Native Arts Market
Oyster Shucking Competition
The Snow Sculptures
Outdoor Hockey Championships
More absolutely beautiful handcrafted goods to explore. Wow! Native craftsmanship is on another level of quality, because the materials are mostly hunted by the artist themselves, or family and friends, they have 100% control and quality of their work. I was extremely impressed with the native Alaskan women we met, impressive of the how strong they are, what excellent hunters and fisherwomen they are and the beauties their hands have created. Now, what I do appreciate even more, is that they understand their quality and give it great value, meaning, their crafts come with a very high price tag. While those good are considered bespoke luxury goods, you are purchasing a tradition and culture that has been taught to their young and passed on.
Instagram: @gunoraksgifts
Jessica is one of the kindest ladies I met that day, talk about a beautiful heart and she made the most beautiful crossbody leather bags, the one on the top with the red line. Handsctiched by the way, which, I know is harsh on your hands, because I am a leather good crafter as well, her name is Jessica. She also makes these beautiful winter skirts, yo u can see trying it on. Beautiful work.
The boys made these cute earrings and Jessica gifted these adorable earrings. Thank you Jessica, I am so grateful.
denainadesigbyamy.com
These two sisters are on another level, super cool. I had such a great time chatting with these ladies for a while and you have no idea, but those two ladies are total power houses, trust me when I tell you. They are professional leather and fur crafters, their work is highly impressive and extremely high quality and luxurious.
I am honored to even try these bespoke luxuries on.
These earrings are absolutely stunning and elegant. Impressive how Britt’Nee how combines animal materials, water materials and other beautiful quality materials to make such exotic and elegant pieces. I have three favorites.
Instagram: @agnapaguk
Instagram: @alaskamarge
Oyster Shucking Competition
Snow Scultptures
Alright, so here is the story with this event, Mateu and I visited the snow sculptures yard 6 times and had to wait for the last days to check on progress. To our surprise, one sculptured was fully completed by February 27, some were never completed and we have our favorite. It was absolutely freezing every night and we quickly found that carving snow in the said conditions, must be a bit complicated.
Our favorite sculpture! Beautiful!
Hockey Tournament
DAY 6
MARCH 7th
Sccatta Fur Auction
Carnival
Ice Bowling
Chugach Rock And Mineral Show
Running Of The Reindeer
Rondy Oktoberrrfest
Sccata Fur Auction
We almost skipped the fur auction and at last minute decided, let’s go and I am so happy we attended. It was our first time attending a fur auction and very special while snowing and freezing outside. Nonetheless a very Alaskan experience. That was some serious fur action from all sorts of animals. Mateu was mesmerized by Miss Alaska and she was so beyond to my son. Miss Alaska gave Mateu her microphone andtell the crowd to buy some fur and he did, it was super adorable and I was so living in the moment I forgot to press record on my camera. Beautiful memories, the crowd, we all laughed and only photos left. Fun times!
Carnival
Ice Bowling
Chugach Rock And Mineral Show
Running With The Reindeer
This event was fun and exciting and this is why…we got to meet some beautiful and friendly reindeers, our first time to amongst them, Mateu enjoyed this most. Watching people in different costumes, running along side these beautiful reindeers was fun to watch. These reindeers were super adorable.
Rondy Oktoberrrfest
This event proves kids will have a good time with each other, no matter what and that is great. Attendees had to purchase tickets and while documenting the last hurtle of the Fur Rony Festival, many attendees expressed to me, how expensive this event was, how the tickets did not include anything, no food, no water, no drinks, limited kids entertainment. I honestly was not sure of what was happening, until, we got very hungry, stood in the long line, when I went to pay for our food, I quickly understood the food complaining, it was bit expensive for me, about $70 later for 3 sausages, 1 pretzel, one bottle of soda and a bottle of orange juice. By the way… their pretzel was deliciousssss with melted cheese. Yes, true, no water bottles or juice boxes for kids, however, each ticket was $25 per person and free for kids under 13, considering on the tickets, it clearly stated that this was a traditional Oktoberrrfest event with food and drinks available for purchase, live polka music, and cornhole. In my humble opinion, juice boxes, small water bottles and fun games for kids, could be a great. Only two cornhole’s for everyone and kids were told many times to stop running around, what are we to do, entertainment wise, I personally would improve this a little. Other than that, we are grateful for this Fur Rondy Festival experience, definetaly a wonderful experience to have.
Thank you For Rondy For All your kind Hospitality.
We Had An Amazing Time!!!!
Until Next Time Friends.
