The Wackiest Ball In Alaska That Has To Be Seen To Be Believed
Alaskan winters can be long, and very cold. Born out of the tradition of celebrating during a long winter, we Alaskans have come up with some pretty amazing events! Nothing can top the Miners and Trappers Charity Ball, however. Scheduled during the Fur Rondy carnival in Anchorage, Alaska, this hilarious party will have you wishing this happened more than once a year!
The Miners and Trappers Charity Ball is an event held every year during Fur Rondy. This charity ball has been held for 69 years!
Fur Rondy is a 10 day winter festival, although when started in 1935, it was only three days long. This year is the 84th anniversary, and the event now includes the ceremonial start of the Iditarod, a race where you run with reindeer, and plenty of fun winter sports!
The highlight of the Miners and Trappers Charity Ball is of course, "Mr. Fur Face."
This event is run by the Alaska State Championship Beard and Moustache Competition. With over 14 types of beards competing, you may qualify to win one of these wacky categories!
The categories run the gamut from Honey Bear, which is blonde beards only, to Ptarmigan, which is "strictly for the birds!" As in, anything goes, including decorations!
And of course there's Mr. Fur Face himself, grand winner over all of the categories! This event is taken very seriously, and the men always come out with their beards looking their best!
This year's Miners and Trappers Charity Ball is Pardis Gras, "Shaken, Not Stirred!"
This event is definitely a highlight of the entire Fur Rondy winter festival. Many people plan for weeks to create the costume they will wear to the Miners and Trappers Ball!
The costume contest starts at 9:00 p.m. this year, after the winners of Mr. Fur Face has been chosen.
Similar to Mr. Fur Face, the costume contest has many categories! Everything from Storybook Land, to the famous Gold Rush and Period Costumes, to of course- the theme of the ball! Out of all the categories an overall winner is also chosen!
This year's amazing charity ball is happening on Saturday, March 2nd!
When 5:30 p.m. rolls around, get ready to put your best costume on, and twirl up that mustache! Show up at the Egan Center at 555 W 5th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501. At only $30 a ticket, this is a great opportunity to strut your stuff and support a fantastic cause.
Have you ever attended the Miners and Trappers Charity Ball? How about any of the Fur Rondy events? Let us know in the comments below!
Megan McDonald is a writer, photographer, and owner of humu media, an Alaska-based digital media agency. She spends her free time traveling with her husband and daughter around the US and the world.
