Anchorage, Alaska, 4th of July Activities

4th of July activities in Anchorage and Alaska abound! Happy 4th of July to all of you out there from the Sundbergs at Your Home Away from Home B&B in Anchorage, Alaska!

One of the fun activities we use to demonstrate our pride is fireworks. In Anchorage, Alaska we do the same. Except it is difficult in the "Land of the Midnight Sun" to actually see those fireworks. It is too light at midnight! Well, one of the family traditions that we have- is travel to Eagle River which is about a 15 minute drive north from Anchorage. They have their fireworks at midnight on the night of the 3rd. So for 15 years now we drive to Eagle River to a church that is directly across from the area that they shoot the fireworks. We get out our lawn chairs, warm jackets & umbrellas - just in case- and we have a front row seat to some beautiful & loud fireworks.

Today in downtown Anchorage there will be a parade. It is a small parade, but still fun. There are too many people that leave town for the weekend. If you were to drive around town today, you would wonder where all the people were. They are in Homer, Seward, Kenai, Soldotna, Sterling, Russian River. They are fishing, 4 wheeling, hiking, and just out enjoying Alaska. Mt. Marathon race attracts many to Seward on July 4.

Another tradition we have in our family, is too have a big BBQ party for our oldest daughter. She was born on the 4th of July 27 years ago today! When she was a little girl, she thought that everyone, everywhere was celebrating her birthday!

For those left in Anchorage, you will see many of them having a 4th of July BBQ.
We are having halibut from the Kenai River tonight. Yum!

Independence Day has long been a favorite of mine. I realize that many people do not stop to think about what this day is really about. But many do! I am very proud to be an American. Very proud of what our nation stands for. It often times brings tears to my eyes even thinking about the freedoms that we take so casually. I think of the many countries who would love to live in such freedom as we have. Many of those people come to America, and we welcome them with open arms. Wherever you are, I hope you are enjoying your day. Celebrate, if even for a moment, your freedom.

Happy 4th of July!

Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center

Anchorage Bed and Breakfast Club members always recommend visiting the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center to our guests. The museum is located at 625 C Street in downtown Anchorage.

Again this summer the museum will be offering the Alaska Culture Pass which includes admission to both the Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Also included with the Alaska Culture Pass is a complimentary shuttle between the two. Parking is free at the Native Heritage Center but not free at the Anchorage Museum.

Permanent Exhibits at the Anchorage Museum include Anchorage 1910 – 1935 and Art of the North. Through April 25 the museum has Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination. Also on display through April 11 is the student Art Exhibition of Anchorage School District titled Landscape and Reflections.

Our summer bed and breakfast guests can see two special exhibits this summer: Bradford Washburn: Glories of the Greatland and Kiska and Adak: War in the Aleutians. The Washburn exhibit of black and white Alaska landscape photos is back by popular demand. The War in the Aleutians includes photos of remains from World War II and objects from the museum’s WW II collections.

I recommend that guests start their Anchorage Museum experience by visiting The Alaska Gallery located on the second floor. This gallery is devoted to telling Alaska’s history from the lifestyles of Alaska’s earliest people through the pipeline era.

Plan to conclude your visit by dining at Muse. Check out their lunch or their dinner menus then make a reservation.

Plan to spend at least a half day at the Anchorage Museum. If you buy the Culture Pass and decide to do both on the same day, it will be a full day. In past years use of the Culture Pass does not have to be done on the same day.

Alaska Native Heritage Center

The Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage, Alaska, is a must see-and-experience gem for all--especially for our Anchorage Bed and Breakfast Club guests. It is worth every bit of time and definitely worth the cost of entry.

I, Patti, (Your Home Away from Home Bed and Breakfast) attended the March 20th Multicultural Drumming & Dance Celebration program hosted at the Heritage Center. It included nine different dance & drum groups.

I was only able to see three of the groups. Wow, what fun and what a great cultural experience! There was a talented Alaska Native group from a village I do not remember and could not pronounce. They did many fun and energetic dances like the "Walrus" dance.

An Hispanic group called "Xochiquetzal-Tiquan" performed in absolutely gorgeous costumes. There were little tiny ones as young as two all the way up to their Moms. They did dances from many different states in Mexico.

The last group I saw was called "Kawanbe-Omowale". This group fashioned their music after South Africa. Now, you want to talk about energy!! The three women dancers had amazing talent. They danced hard and fast with smiles so big you could hardly keep from smiling yourselves. This group included two men and one woman drumming with such zeal you wanted to drum with them.

Many people from our Anchorage community and the South African group from Phoenix were in attendance. All enjoyed this day of cultural sharing.

When the Anchorage Bed and Breakfast Club's summer guests visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center, they will not have the opportunity to see this multi-culture dance program, but the many cultures of Alaska represented. This is a beautiful facility and a thrilling way to see the many peoples and cultures of Alaska.