Fur Rendezvous Festival

The Fur Rendezvous Festival, known as Fur Rondy, is a winter festival in Anchorage held in late February and early March. It began in 1935 as a three-day Winter Sports Carnival and now has more than 100 events.[1]

Origins

Anchorage resident Vern Johnson organised the three-day Winter Sports Carnival in 1935, when the town had about 3,000 people. It was renamed the Winter Sports Tournament and Fur Rendezvous in 1937 and later shortened to Fur Rendezvous, a name taken from mid-February fur trappers’ swap meets. It was suspended during the war years and resumed in 1946.[1]

Events

The festival was traditionally ten days long and since 2004 has run into early March to lead into the Iditarod. Events include the three-day, 75-mile World Championship Sled Dog Race, held since 1946 with a women’s race since 1953, outhouse races, a carnival, the Grand Parade, the Frostbite Footrace, the Running of the Reindeer since 2008 and the Official Fur Auction.[1]

Traditions

The Mr. Fur Face beard contest has been held since 1950, and promotional pins sold since 1939 have become collectibles. Greater Anchorage, Inc., a non-profit, has run the event since 1955. In 2012 National Geographic Traveler named it the top winter carnival in the world. The sled dog race has occasionally been cancelled for warm weather, most recently in 2006, and the 2021 festival was modified.[1]

FAQs

When is Fur Rondy? Late February into early March.

When did it begin? 1935.

Who organises it? Greater Anchorage, Inc.

Sources

1. Wikipedia: Fur Rendezvous Festival

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue