Every spring, the University of Alaska Fairbanks presents the Festival of Native Arts. This well-attended event provides cultural education and sharing through native dance, music, and traditional arts. The festival has been a tradition in Fairbanks since it began in 1973 and continues to uphold the noteworthy tradition of bringing together artists, performers, and groups that celebrate native cultures in various creative and entertaining ways. There are also many local and regional sponsors that contribute time and resources to ensure the success of this endeavor.
If you are in the mood for something a little different tonight, make plans to spend an unforgettable evening with the talented performers who make up the North Star Ballet. This noteworthy entertainment company is also a school that trains aspiring dancers how to develop both a detailed craft and theatrical presentation that defines each and every performance. There are various productions put on throughout the year, the most popular of which is The Nutcracker during Christmastime.
Nature lovers love communing with nature at every opportunity. One such opportunity is an outdoor excursion on the Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail. This trail offers alpine-style backpacking over the course of its 27.3 miles. Along the way, you can enjoy truly stunning views of the mountains and other scenery that includes several summer wildflowers, alpine azaleas, forget me nots, and lots more.
Let your spirit for both adventure and learning take flight when you explore the attractions at the Alaskaland Pioneer Air Museum. Learn about how the area was primarily explored and then developed through the efforts of early pilots with a passion for exploration. Interestingly, they were also exploring the possibilities of flight as they surveyed the area from some of aviation's earliest aircraft. See some of those captivating planes on display, as well as related memorabilia, records, photographs and other pieces that help to tell this fascinating facet of Alaska's history.