Weird Festivals of Alaska
Alaska offers an abundance of space for exploration and adventure. And, for small communities and cultures to put on some strange festivals you cannot find anywhere else. These festivities are filled with silly costumes and weird traditions, and grow and change each year.
Some you can mark on your calendars, others happen as seasonal events occur and are more spontaneous. Many of these are family-friendly, and some have free entry. If you are traveling with an adventurous group, checking out some of these strange festivals might end up being the highlight of your trip.
Cordova Ice Worm Festival
Since 1961, the Cordova Ice Worm Festival has been one of the more peculiar and entertaining festivals to experience. As with most origins of celebrations, this one was created to lift the spirits of the community and celebrate. This festival happens during the depths of winter to pull everyone through those dark winter days.
This festival was started by locals as a small three-day celebration and has since grown to be a week-long event due to its popularity. The Ice Worm Festival attracts people from all over the globe now. This event occurs in February each year and still offers the famous parade in recognition of the microscopic organism, the ice worm, found in glacier ice. This is represented by a parade and giant decorative ice worm that has happened since the start of this festival.
Other special events include many strange events: a cake competition, classic sports tournaments, a Miss Ice Worm competition, a paper airplane contest, and so much more. This event has a lot to explore and enjoy.
Alyeska Spring Carnival and Slush Cup
When the spring comes and the snow melt starts, the ski community at Alyeska, in Girdwood, celebrates the farewell of ski season in style. Although you cannot wear a costume on entry day, costumes and good times are the center of this festival. There is live music, vendors, delicious food, and, a costume contest.
This costume contest also involves skimming across a slushy ice pond at top speeds to impress judges on skis or snowboards. After that event, you can have a few laughs at the ‘Idiot Swim,’ which entails people swimming in the icy slush pond. The downhill dummy contest and a scheduled tug-o-war are some other fun highlights of this festival.
Chickenstock
In the town of Chicken, you can get your groove on under the midnight sun during the mid-summer. This weekend-long event held in the Far North of Alaska. So, if you need a reason to go out into the more desolate beauty of Alaska, this is a great opportunity. Local musicians and artists come together to showcase some of their best work for you to enjoy.
This one is a little more adult-friendly, as the beer flows easily at this event. Each year, it is held at an RV campground with cabins available for rent. A bonus is the fantastic food vendors and the chance to pan for gold.
Have Fun and Be Well
When visiting these festivals be sure to check out the specifics of entry, age requirements, and your group’s needs before heading out. And remember, enjoying your time and celebrating doesn’t have to mean overdoing it. So find your favorite silly costumes, gather your friends and family, and experience a celebration like never before. All this happens right in the midst of Alaska’s natural splendor.
