FRIDAY, JULY 26
11:00AM | Read with a Ranger
Irene Ingle Public Library - Gazebo
Children's books with Forest Service Smokey Bear
6:00 PM| Dinner & Auction
Stikine Restaurant
Gourmet dinner by Chef Lauren Thompson. Currently the chef at Café Lago, Lauren Thompson been cooking and teaching in the Seattle area for the past 20 plus years. Before moving to Café Lago in February of 2024 she was the Chef de Cuisine at Café Juanita, which is owned by the James Beard Award winning chef Holly Smith. Thompson has also headed up the kitchen at Lark, also owned by a James Beard Award winner, John Sundstrom. In addition to spending time in some of the best Seattle kitchens, Thompson penned the cookbook Cooking Comics! Simple Skills, Fantastic food and she was the recipe producer for John Sundstrom’s Lark cookbook. Thompson has also spent time teaching culinary school at the Art Institute of Seattle and has a love of teaching upcoming culinarians. She is excited to be at the helm of Café Lago kitchen and to be a part of the next chapter of Café Lago’s history. former Chef de Cuisine for award winning Seattle restaurant Lark and most recently Kirkland's Cafe Juanita. Currently Chef de Cuisine at Lago.
Auction will include outdoor gear, handmade goods, seafood, fresh fruit boxes, and more.
Live music with Jackson Roltgen, Dan Powers and Matt Henson . (Tickets will be available on a first come first served basis at 08:00 July 8 - call Alaska Vistas at 907-874-3006 ).
Thank you for joining us for Bearfest!
We hope to see you again next year.
2024 SCHEDULE
(UPDATES WILL BE POSTED HERE)
2024 Schedule will be updated as it develops Dates are July 24-28
SATURDAY, JULY 27
10:00 AM | Golf Tournament
Muskeg Meadows
Registration starts at 9:00am.
10:00 AM-1:00 PM | Community Market
Nolan Center
Vendors of local goods. Produce, handmade items, baked goods, art, and more!
10:30 AM - 12:00 I Face Painting
Nolan Center I Allison Koch - Professional face painter from Ellensburg Wa. Bear, salmon and more designs for children of all ages. Donations accepted.
11:00 AM |Kids Games
Nolan Center Lawn
The famous Bearfest fish toss, cub-o-war & more!
USFS camp set-up.
12:00 PM | Cooking Demonstration
Nolan Center
Chef Lauren Thompson demonstrates techniques and ideas for aspiring chefs and home cooks.
2:00 PM |Jam Session / Music Workshop
Nolan Center
Jam session and workshop with Jackson Roltgen.
2:30 PM I Workshop
Human - Bear Conflict Prevention
Nolan Center
Isabel Grant - Defenders of Wildlife
Got Bears? How to install an electric fence around bear attractants and get up to $500 from Defenders of Wildlife.
3:00 PM | Smoked Salmon Contest
Nolan Center Lobby
Judging for the best local salmon smoker. Entries should be delivered by 2:30pm.
5:00 PM | Marathon Pasta Feed
Nolan Center Lobby
Pasta dinner for half and full marathon runners only. Attendance is not mandatory but we encourage participants to come pick up swag bags, check out the course maps, and receive information for race day.
6:30 PM |Symposium
Nolan Center
JOHN HECHTEL - President of the International Bear Association, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Evolution of Bear Research and Management
8:00PM | Live Music
Marine Bar
Jackson Roltgen, the Powers and local musicians.
Check out Jackson's Music Here
SUNDAY, July 28
7:00AM | Race Registration
Nolan Center
7:00 to 7:45 - Full marathon, half marathon, and 5K registration
8:00-8:30AM | Race Starts
Nolan Center
8:00am | Regular start for half and full marathon
8:30am | Start for 5K walkers, runners & bikers
(6:00am | Self-timed early start for full marathon only)
Noon-ish | Raffle Drawing
Nolan Center
The first marathon finisher will draw the winning ticket. Two roundtrip tickets anywhere Alaska Airlines flies. You do not have to be present to win.
3:00 PM I T3- STEM Presentation
Nolan Center
Wrangell youth T-3 program presents their design and installation of real time cameras at Anan and collaboration with Explore.com.
4:00 PM I Symposium
Nolan Center
ELIZABETH GRAHAM- USFS entomologist
Western blackheaded budworm in Southeast Alaska: looking back and projecting forward a small caterpillar's large impact on the forest.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24
10:00AM | Art Workshop - Bear ornaments for the Capitol Christmas Trees
Nolan Center Lobby
Art projects for kids and families! Paint a wood or metal ornament for the 2024 People's Tree that will be displayed in Washington DC. All supplies provided.
11AM | Bear Safety Workshop
Outdoor Shooting Range
Bear behavior, safe & effective use of bearspray, and more.
12:00PM | 'Beary' Pie Contest
Nolan Center Lobby
Judging for the best pie made from local berries. Entries should be delivered to the Nolan Center by 11:30pm.
6:00 PM | Symposium - Nolan Center
JENNIFER KARDIAK - USFS
Witnessing the Wild: Exploring Similarities and Differences in Bear Viewing and Management at various sites in Alaska, with a focus on McNeil River and Anan Wildlife Observatory.
THURSDAY, JULY 25
10:00 AM | Art Workshop I
Making ornaments for the Capitol Christmas tree.
Nolan Center Lobby
Art project for adults and youth. Paint a wood or metal ornament for the 2024 People's Tree that will be displayed in Washington DC. All supplies provided.
3:00PM | Native Stories and Culture
Chief Shakes Tribal House
Enjoy a presentation of Tlingit heritage and culture
6:00 PM | Symposium Nolan Center
KATE KENDALL - USGS retired
Evolution and history of bears.
ANNE BRAATEN - Bear Management Biologist, North Cascades Nation Park (retired)
Bookends: working for black bears and ghost bears in the North Cascades of Washington