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FESTIVAL GOALS
Last year's festival was a huge success and this year's 5th annual Oceans Festival will be even bigger and better! The primary focus of the annual festival is to educate the public and raise awareness about the importance of healthy oceans and to celebrate the bounty of Alaska's many marine resources. With nearly half of the total state population living in Anchorage, the festival presents a unique opportunity to bring Alaskans together to celebrate the uniqueness of our oceans and the significance they have in our lives.
Musicians, speakers, artists, and ocean conservation groups converge in beautiful downtown Anchorage to spend a day celebrating our Alaskan connections to the ocean. Food vendors, a beer garden, the Seafood Olympics, a foot race, and the “Bucking Salmon” are just a few of the attractions that make the Alaska Oceans Festival one of Anchorage’s favorite summer events.
BACKGROUND
The first inaugural Alaska Oceans Festival was initiated on August 9th, 2003 on the Delaney Park strip in downtown Anchorage. Attendance included over 2000 Alaskans, over 20 marine related organizations, prominent community leaders and a variety of entertainers. The festival was instrumental in raising public awareness about Alaska marine issues. Organizers were pleased at the level of participation from the local community and the festival received positive feedback from participating groups and performers. Thus the momentum continues with this successful festival becoming a pivotal Anchorage event that strives to promote public awareness of the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of Alaska's oceans.
2007 HIGHLIGHTS
Headliner: Alpha YaYa Diallo
Born in Guinea but based in Vancouver, Alpha YaYa Diallo achieves what most African musicians have failed to do: he has created a classy Afro-pop synthesis of the continent's musical forms with western technology that won't infuriate purists. Taking it to the next level with a full seven-piece band, this passionate world music experience will make you dance like you've never danced before. Diallo and his emotional singing in English, Fula and Susu gets support from veteran guitarist Ousmane Kouyate and a band heavy with percolating rhythm. He performs with agility and dash on guitars, percussion and bass and establishes a hypnotic presence throughout the performance.
Check out their music at www.alphayayadiallo.com
Other National Acts:
Those kids from Cordova are all grown up. Bearfoot is a fast rising, young acoustic band based out of Anchorage, Alaska featuring powerful, emotive vocals, moving arrangements and instrumental exellence backed up by solid rhythm. Their unique sounds range from traditional bluegrass to original jazzy compositions and has captivated audiences across the nation.
To feel their groove, click on www.bearfootbluegrass.com
More bands to Come!
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Where: |
Park Strip to Westchester Lagoon, then along the Coastal Trail out and back past Elderberry Park and back to the Park Strip via Bootlegger’s Cove. (see map)
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Registration: |
PreRegistration: Postmarked or hand deliver before May 28th to 807 G. Street, Anchorage, AK 99501 Race Day Registration: Noon-1:45pm at the Race Info Booth - West End of the Park Strip
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Entry Fee: |
$15.00 per racer; All racers receive Alaska Oceans Festival T-shirts
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Awards: |
Original Stained Glass Winners Medals by artist Lynn Dixon
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Information: |
Contact Brij @ 250-0132, Kelly@ 360-0409, |
HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2003-2006
Participation of over 25 marine related groups and agencies
High-profile Speakers and Community Leaders
Robert F Kennedy, Jr.
Jill Fredston - Kayak Explorer
Former Governor Tony Knowles
Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich
Poet Suzy Silook
Tanana First Chief Lee Stephan
Lynne Cox- Cold Water Swimmer
Father Michael Oleksa
Past Musical Performances and Entertainers
Xavier Rudd
Bernard Glansbeek Quartet
Blue-Eyed Son
Culture Brothers
Good Dog
Kingikmiut Dance Group
Laura Love Band
New Rank Strangers
The Photonz
Son Henry Band
Naa Luudisk Gwaii Yatx'i
Zyde Coho's
Family and Kid's Activities
10th and M Street Seafood Olympics
Run for the Waves 5K
Marine Treasure Hunt
Kayaking Demo Pool
Presentation/Film Tent
Marine touch tanks
Marine mammal rescue races
Fish art projects
Face painting
Interactive biology lessons
A Variety of Local Food and Art Vendors
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Butch Allen of the Alaska Center for the Environment continues to organize the Alaska Oceans Festival (held in the summer) and Alaska Ocean Film Festival (held in the winter). ACE partners with local agencies and businesses that support marine conservation and education. If you are a vendor with a similar ethic, please consider having a booth at the summer festival and join us in celebrating Alaska's incredible oceans.
Last year, over 5,000 attendees enjoyed the sights and sounds of the one Alaska event that celebrates “all things ocean,” and we fully expect the 2007 June event to blow last year’s Festival out of the water. Make sure to get on board before all the slots are filled!
If you have any questions or would like to host an information booth or be a featured art/food vendor, please contact Butch Allen at 907-274-3647. Thanks, as always, for making our festival such an exceptional event.
