Date: February 20, 2013
Contact: Naaman Horn, (907) 683-6446
Denali National Park and Preserve and the Denali Borough communities are celebrating Alaska's longest season during Winterfest 2013 on Friday, February 22 - Sunday, February 24. This long-running community-wide event features an array of activities, with something for all ages, interests, and abilities! Check out the complete schedule.
Festivities kick off on Friday, February 22 at the McKinley Park Community Center with a dessert potluck at 6:30 pm, followed by presentation at 7:00 pm by local adventurer and former UAF graduate student Kristin Timm on her experience doing research on the Juneau Icefield. The Community Center is located on the "Old Parks Highway" spur road at Mile 230 Parks Highway.
The National Park Service hosts a wide variety of activities on Saturday, February 23 from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm at or near the Murie Science and Learning Center located on the Denali Park Road. The day's offerings include an ice carving demonstration, science experiments and other activities for children, ranger-guided snowshoe walk, snow sculpting contest, films, and the opportunity to meet some of the park's sled dogs. Hot drinks and light refreshments are provided and a selection of park-related publications will be available for sale.
Saturday events continue in Healy, with a Coal Queens hockey game at 4:00 pm, and the free community chili feed beginning at 5:00 pm. The evening will culminate with dancing to live music. These activities are taking place at the Tri-Valley Community Center at Mile 0.5 on the Healy Spur Road (Mile 248.8 Parks Highway).
Meals, lodging and other services are available year-round in the communities of Healy and Cantwell. The park's Riley Creek Campground is open for free camping. A vault toilet is provided for winter campers and water can be obtained at the Murie Science and Learning Center.
Winterfest is made possible with the assistance of Alaska Geographic, Denali Borough, Denali Borough School District, Denali Education Center, Doyon/ARAMARK Joint Venture, National Park Service, and Princess Tours. Winterfest information is available online or by calling Denali National Park at 907-683-9532 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm daily.
