EAGLE RIVER, Alaska (KTUU) – The 40th annual Bear Paw festival is underway in Eagle River. The festival kicked off on Wednesday and will run through Sunday.
The event this year includes around 50 food vendors and about 100 community merchants, in addition to dozens of activities extending into the late weekend. The Beer and Music Festival also begins Friday at 3 p.m.
“Everybody comes out, whether it’s them with their kids or with their pets, it’s just a great time to get out with all of the quirky and fabulous events that happen out here,” festival coordinator Kristin George said.
The festival theme this year is “Adventure Through Time,” which will welcome back fan favorite activities throughout the weekend, such as the car show on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. and the Slippery Salmon Olympics at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday.
“It’s basically an obstacle course that they have to run with a year-old — probably end-of-season salmon,” George said. “[Sen.] Dan Sullivan is going to be the first racer.”
On Saturday morning, Bear Paw will also hold its annual parade, which kicks off in downtown Eagle River at 11 a.m., right after the annual 5K fun run, which starts at 10:30 a.m.
The festival does warn that a portion of the downtown Eagle River road will be closed for the parade, with closures starting at 9 am.
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