day 6. Home town

Today is Ten facts about my hometown. I was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, its really not an old town so this should be interesting.

1. Fairbanks produced the first two state legislators in the United Stated to be elected as Libertarians. Dick Randolph, who had previously served two terms in the Alaska House as a Republican, was first elected as a Libertarian in 1978 and re-elected in 1980. Ken Fanning was also elected to the House as a Libertarian in 1980.

2. There is a festival every year to commemerate Felix Pedro's gold discovery of 1902. It's called "Golden Days". It's kicked off with Pedro walking his gold on his burro into town to the bank. Then there is a parade, a "Miss Ricki" look-a-like contest (infamous local dancehall girl) a "Pedro" look-a-like contest, the Golden Heart Dancers (local 1900's revival dance troupe) dance, and there are tons of other festivities. Included in this is a "Rubber Duckie Race". Thousands of ducks are bought and dumped in the Chena River. The first one to float past the bridge wins the jackpot.

3. The Immaculate Conception Church on North Cushman used to be located across the river on 1st street. They moved it across the river when the new hospital (a Catholic hospital) opened up.

4. The Yukon Quest (the longest sled dog race in North America) runs between Fairbanks and Whitehorse, Canada. Every other year they switch off who will host the race. It brings in mushers from all over the world. It also said to be the toughest race with the most rugged terrain anywhere.

5. Every year there are two major Native happenings in town. The first is the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics. This is an opportunity for atheletes from all over the state, from all tribes to compete in traditional games and feats. There is one foot high kick, two foot kick,ear pulls, one hand reach, stick pulls, there is dancing from groups all over the state. There is also a blanket toss. ESPN2 actually came two or three years ago in their "sports in 50 states" campaigne. Then later in the winter there is the Midnight Sun InterTribal Powwow. This is chance for the tribes to come together and talk about issues that affect them. There is a bazaar, traditional dances, and a potlach (native potluck).

6. Fairbanks is known as the "Golden Heart City". Every year the city gives an award call the "Golden Heart Award". The recipient is chosen by nomination by people in the community for service done for the community.

7. There's only one power company for the City of Fairbanks and most of the outlying areas. (some areas are on generators or don't have electricity at all) It's Golden Valley Electric Company and its actually a co-opperative that is not for profit. In the spring they give out lilac bushes to the first 200 people to show up at the plant.

8. President Harding was the first president to visit Alaska. There was a special rail car built for him and it lives in Fairbanks at the Pioneer Park (Alaskaland to locals). There also used to be a room in the Fairbanks International Airport called "The Presidents Room". It was built to commerate the meeting of President Reagan and Pope John Paul II. They allowed civilians on the tarmac to witness the meeting and then retired to the room to discuss humanitarian efforts across the globe.

9. The Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre company hosts a Bard-a-thon in the winter that features all the plays read in 24 hours. Its free and open to the public. The company also has a stage built on University of Alaska Fairbanks' campus, its in the style of The Globe Theatre (in the round).

10. The Tannana Valley State Fair is the oldest in the state. It was started in 1924. The winner of the Giant Cabbage (pumpkins dont do so well in the cool weather) contest gets a cash prize and his cabbage makes the rounds of all the local grocery stores so that everyone who didnt get to see it at the fair can glory in the largess of leaves. The grocery store also carry a large abundance of Alaska grown produce and all winter you can find carrots and potatoes grown in the the Mat-Su Valley or the area around Fairbanks

Ok. Whew. That took a long time. Deciding whats not common knowledge is sometimes tricky.
Til next time.