January

RUSSIAN CHRISTMAS AND STARRING – (regionwide) From the story of the Three Wise Men following the eastern star, the Russian Orthodox faithful developed the tradition of Starring. Parishioners follow a twirling star singing sacred music of the season. The Russian Orthodox Church still follows the Julian calendar so, Christmas and New Year’s come two weeks after those holidays as observed by the Gregorian calendar Russian Orthodox holidays are observed in many villages and towns throughout Alaska’s Southwest. More about the Russian Orthodox Church of Alaska. Always January 7 – 9.

RUSSIAN NEW YEAR AND MASQUERADE BALL – (regionwide) Many communities celebrate the New Year with a Masquerade Ball. In Kodiak, the event features a smorgasbord style dinner of many varieties of Russian food. After all have eaten; people go home and return a few minutes later fully masked. There is dancing and judging of the costumes. Unmasking takes place at midnight. Always on January 14.

Kuskokwim 300 (Bethel) - One of the premier middle distance dogsled races in the world. The course runs from Bethel, Alaska to Aniak, Alaska and back. It follows the old trail along the Kuskokwim River that was used for mail delivery in the early days. A community event, the race brings out the people in the villages along the trail interacting and participating in the race. The K-300 race brings mushers from around the world. It is known as a great contest around the dog mushing community, always bringing out the "big guns" in dog mushing. More information.

February

ANNUAL SEAFOOD EXTRAVAGANZA (Kodiak) Kodiak Lions Club hosts this annual seafood feed and oyster bar at the Elk’s Lodge. Proceeds help fund many local projects.

Nushagak Classic Sled Dog Race – (Dillingham) A mid-distance dog sled race, usually in mid February. A qualifying race for the Iditarod. (907) 842-5115 

Polar Bear Run – (Unalaska) Cold weather gets runners off to a dash. (907) 581-1297

KODIAK ARTS COUNCIL ARTS & ADVENTURE AUCTION – (Kodiak) Local artists and tourism businesses donate artwork and adventure packages. Proceeds benefit the Kodiak Arts Council. (907) 486-5291.

TACKY PARTY – (Unalaska) Locals let down their hair, or put it up in rollers as the case may be, dust off their leisure suits, and generally throw caution to the wind. Lip-sync contest (907) 581-1666

WinterFest - (Naknek, King Salmon, South Naknek) A community-wide winter celebration that includes a Penguin dip, outhouse races, chili cook-off, and SPAM carving and cook-off.

March

KMXT’S MARDI GRAS PARTY – (Kodiak) Dinner and dancing in the tradition of Mardi Gras to benefit public radio KMXT. (907) 486-3181.

Beaver Round Up Festival – (Dillingham) The tradition of local trappers bringing bring their furs to town to sell. Starting with a parade the Festival, which lasts five days, is full of events. From a chili cook-off, traditional arts and crafts shows, games, fireworks, dances, snow machine races, skijoring competitions, and arm wrestling contests.

Western Alaska Sled Dog Championship - (Dillingham) Usually held in conjunction with the Beaver Round Up, these are sprint (shorter distance) races and everyone lines up to cheer on their favorite musher.

MUD BALL AND AUCTION – (Kodiak) Live auction, music, hors d’oeuvres, and wine tasting .All proceeds go to Kodiak park trail improvements. Sponsored by the Friends of Kodiak State Parks.

COMFISH ALASKA – (Kodiak) The third largest commercial fishing show on the Pacific Coast. Features manufacturers and distributors displaying the latest technology of the fishing industry. Location: Kodiak High School. Contact: Kodiak Chamber of Commerce (907) 486-5557.

PILLAR MOUNTAIN GOLF CLASSIC – (Kodiak) An irreverent par-70, one-hole golf tournament up the side of 1400’ Pillar Mountain. (907) 486-2931 or email  More information.

Annual Community Art Show – (Unalaska) Local art & historical artifacts on display all year round. Special traveling exhibits. (907) 581-5150

APRIL

ALASKA ARCHAEOLOGY MONTH (Kodiak, Unalaska) - Museums, historical societies, educators, elders, and public land agencies collaborate on a variety of lectures and family activities that explore the archaeology and history of the Native cultures of Alaska’s Southwest. Check museum listings for contacts.

Cama’I Festival (Bethel) – A three day celebration of Yup’ik and Cup’ik culture and dance. (907) 543-2911 More information.

WHALEFEST: A MIGRATION CELEBRATION – (Kodiak) – Whale watchers celebrate the return of migrating whales. Whale sightings reported daily, with special art, literature and performances scheduled throughout the festival.  Contact Susan Payne, Box 1903, Kodiak, AK 99615. (907) 486-3737 or (907) 481-1719. More information.

Spring Bazaar at the Museum of the Aleutians – (Unalaska) An afternoon fair, followed by musical entertainment and refreshments. (907) 581-5150

RURAL SCHOOL ARTS SHOW – (Kodiak) An exhibit of contemporary art by students in Kodiak’s remote village schools.  All submissions are Native Alaskan in theme or depict life in one of Kodiak’s rural communities. Location/ Contact: Alutiiq Museum & Archeological Repository. (907) 486-7004

EARTH DAY TRIATHALON – (Kodiak) A 1K swim, 5K run, 20K bike event. (907) 486-8665.

OLD HARBOR WHALING FESTIVAL – (Old Harbor) Visit America’s last commercial whaling station at Port Hobron and historic Three Saints Bay – site of the first Russian settlement in Alaska and venture out to view migrating whales. (907) 286-9246.

MAY

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE’S MIGRATORY BIRD DAY & GREEN WING DAY – (Kodiak) In association with Audubon and Duck’s Unlimited. (907)487-2600.

ALUTIIQ Museum’s BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION – (Kodiak) Special exhibits and events mark the anniversary of the opening of the museum. (907) 486-7004.

KODIAK SALMON CELEBRATION – (Kodiak) Children from around Kodiak Island are invited to help release coho salmon fry raised in classrooms and learn more about this valuable resource when they visit hands-on salmon activity booths. (907) 267-2265 or (907) 486-9000.

KONIAG’S KODIAK CRAB FESTIVAL – (Kodiak) A celebration of spring and the Emerald Isle. Parades, carnival booths and midway, running events, a golf tournament, bicycle and survival suit races, a blessing of the fleet ceremony, concerts, ultra-marathon, triathlon, predicted mile run, kid’s foot races, Pillar Mountain run, rubber duck race, and more. Contact the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce 907-486-5557.  Always begins the Thursday before Memorial Day and continues through Memorial Day.

PRESERVATION WEEK AND MEMORIAL DAY MEMORIAL – (Unalaska) Unalaska Historical Commission (907) 581-1483

ALL AMERICAN SOAP-BOX DERBY TRIAL RUN - (Kodiak) See if your soap-box car is ready for the race in June!  (907) 486-8665

JUNE

Archaeological Dig Program - (Unalaska) From early June through mid-August, the Museum of the Aleutians offers opportunities to participate in local archaeological digs in search of Unangan pre-history. (907) 581-5150 [NO DIG SCHEDULED FOR 2005]

Dutch Harbor Day – (Unalaska) An official State holiday commemorating the bombing of the Aleutians by the Japanese on June 3^rd, 1942.

“A Century of Salmon” – (Dillingham)  Tour a 100+ years old operating salmon canning facility tour from late June through late July.

ALL AMERICAN SOAP-BOX DERBY - (Kodiak) An official qualifying race for the Akron, Ohio World Championships.  Contact (907) 486-8665

ALL AMERICAN SOAP-BOX DERBY – (Unalaska) Win a chance to compete in the Akron, Ohio National Derby competition, airfare & hotel accommodations included. Contact (907) 581-1864

JULY

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS – (regionwide) Traditional celebrations of the Fourth of July holiday take on a special feel in the villages and towns of Alaska’s Southwest. Fireworks displays, picnics, parades, and other celebrations of patriotism and cultural diversity take place throughout the region.

AMERICAN LEGION INDEPENDENCE DAY 10K – (Kodiak) Starts at USCG Base Guard Post at 10:00AM.  Flags donated by American Legion Post No. 17 to winners in men’s and women’s categories.  (907) 486-8665.

Dillingham Chamber of Commerce Salmon Bake – (Dillingham) Community salmon bake. (907) 842-5115.

MOUNT BALLYHOO RUN – (Unalaska) A vertical race up and down the largest mountain on the Amaknak Island. (907) 581-1297

BEAR COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL – (Kodiak) An annual musical extravaganza that includes a full-spectrum of bluegrass, country, folk, soft rock and Alaskan music. Over fifty bands and musicians from Alaska are scheduled to perform. 907-486-8766.

Fishtival - (Naknek, King Salmon, South Naknek) A community-wide celebration of all things fishy – parade, fish splitting contest, fish fry, bazaar, fun run, and oyster eating contest. (907) 246-4224.

COMMUNITY ARCHAEOLOGY – (Kodiak) Excavation of a local archaeological site by museum archaeologists and community volunteers. College and high school credit available. Alutiiq Museum & Archeological Repository 907-486-7004.

BAREFOOT IN THE PARK QUINTATHALON – (Kodiak) Swim, bike, shoot, kayak and run, followed by a picnic in the park’s amphitheatre. (907) 486-0809.

AUGUST

ALEUTIAN LIFE FORUM - (Unalaska) Three-day conference followed by a community festival coordinated by the Unalaska/Dutch Harbor CVB, Unalaska's Parks, Culture and Recreation Department, along with the University of Alaska Marine Advisory Program, the Grand Aleutian and various community groups. August 16-20, 2005 (907) 581-2612.

KODIAK KID’S PINK SALMON JAMBOREE – (Kodiak) Sport-fishing fun for kids with lots of prizes. Usually the 2^nd weekend in August depending on the pink salmon run. Held at the picnic pavilion at the end of Buskin River Road. (907) 486-5245.

Tundra Golf Classic - (Unalaska) 9-hole annual golf tournament at Pyramid Creek with food & prizes. Sponsored by the Unalaska Chamber of Commerce (907) 581-4242 or (907) 581-1251

PILGRIMAGE TO ST. HERMAN’S MONKS LAGOON – – (Kodiak) Celebrating, on these dates in 1970, the canonization of Father Herman by the Orthodox Church in America. There is an annual pilgrimage to his home site on Spruce Island. Schedule of service available upon request (907) 486-3854.  Always August 7 - 9

"NO-SEE-UM" Festival – (Dillingham) If you can’t beat ‘em – join ‘em! Those pesky, almost invisible bugs can’t dampen the merriment at this old-time street carnival with plenty of food, games and fun. Dillingham Chamber of Commerce 907) 842-5115

SILVER SALMON DERBY – (Kodiak) Sponsored by the Kodiak Lion’s Club. (907) 486-3900.

Camp Qunagaayux – (Unalaska) A week long celebration of the Unangan cultural traditions at Morris Cove. Activities such as sea mammal skinning, fishing, boat safety, basketry, story telling, chagudax (“bentwood hats” - wooden hats carved, shaved & painted by hand), archaeology, dance, plant lore and much more. (907) 581-2920

Summer Bay Classic Bike and Run Classic – (Unalaska) 13.5 mile bike race and 13.5 mile run competition to the most beautiful sandy beach in Alaska. (907) 581-1297

SEPTEMBER

KODIAK STATE FAIR AND RODEO – (Kodiak) Both junior and main event rodeos compliant blue ribbon fair exhibits during this fun-filled weekend. Special events include: calf roping, pole bending, barrel racing, team roping, bull riding, pie eating, nail pounding, halibut cleaning, watermelon seed spitting, and Rodeo Queen and Princess Contest. (907) 487-4488. Always Labor Day weekend.

LABOR DAY GOLF TOURNAMENT – (Kodiak)   (907) 486-6929

Blueberry Bash – (Unalaska) Usually held the last weekend in September, locals make dishes with local blueberries that are judged and then awarded prizes in a number of categories. (907) 581-2612

IRON MAN TRIATHALON – (Kodiak) Swim, bike, run. Location Coast Guard Gym (907) 487-5274.

ISLAND HALF-MARATHON – (Unalaska) (907) 581-1297

OCTOBER

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE WEEK - (regionwide) In celebration of the nation’s vast Wildlife Refuge system, most refuges in the region offer family activities, art shows, lectures, and other events to celebrate wildlife and the habitat that supports them. See individual community calendars or visit each refuge’s web site.

CHAD OGDEN RELAY – (Chiniak, Kodiak) 43 mile run begins in Chiniak at the Airstrip. Teams of 5 run a relay to try to beat Harry Johnson’s individual time of 41/2 hours. (907) 486-0809.

NOVEMBER

AAUW CHRISTMAS BAZAAR – (Kodiak) 10 am – 4 pm Kodiak High School Commons. Kodiak’s largest bazaar offering a wide range of Christmas gifts and crafts. Proceeds go to scholarships for young women and girls. (907) 486-2394.

BETA SIGMA PHI ANNUAL BAZAAR – (Kodiak) 10 am - 3pm at the Armory. (907) 486-1519.

KODIAK SENIOR CENTER’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR – (Kodiak) 10am – 3pm at the Center. (907) 486-6181.

Arts & Crafts Fair – (Unalaska) – Local artists and crafts people sell their wares at Unalaska School multi-purpose room.

DECEMBER

KODIAK BAPTIST MISSION:  CURRIER AND IVES OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS – (Kodiak) An evening of old-fashioned fun for the entire family.  Ice-skating, sleigh rides, hayrides, caroling around a bonfire, refreshments and a live nativity remind us of simpler times.  Enjoy a wonderful view of the Harbor Stars fleet parade from the KBM picnic pavilion.  (907) 486-4126

HARBOR STARS – (Kodiak) A Christmas fleet parade of brightly decorated vessels of all sizes. This annual event is a celebration of the Holiday Season.  (907) 486-8080.

Community Choir Christmas Concert – (Unalaska)

Updated April 29, 2005