Festival Goals
The primary focus of the 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.
Background
The first inaugural Alaska Oceans Festival was initiated on August 9th, 2003 on the Delaney Park strip in downtown Anchorage. A unique partnership was established through the planning process with the Alaska Sea Life Center and various other groups to further develop and support festival activities. Attendance included 2000 Alaskans, over 20 marine related organizations, prominent community leaders and a variety of entertainers. The festival was instrumental in strengthening relationships within the marine community and raising public awareness about Alaska marine issues. Organizers were greatly pleased at the level of participation from the local community and received unanimously positive feedback from participating groups, performers and those members of the local community whom were in attendance at the event. See photos of past events.
Alaska Oceans Festival Planning for 2005
Butch Allen of the Alaska Center for the Environment and Shelley Johnson of the Alaska Oceans Program continue collaboration efforts annually for the summer Alaska Oceans Festival and winter Alaska Ocean Film Festival. The summer event will be held on Saturady June 10, 2006 from Noon to 10pm at the West end of Delaney park strip in downtown Anchorage. Ongoing efforts focus on increasing the role of education and expanding participation from the marine community and the Alaska public. To achieve this, continued collaboration takes place with local agencies that focus on marine education, conservation and creating new partnerships with key businesses that have like-minded philosophies toward the community and the environment.
Some Highlights of Our Accomplishments From 2003 to Present Include:
Participation of over 25 marine related groups and agencies
High-profile speakers and community leaders
- John 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
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
- Strung Over
- Son Henry Band
- Naa Luudisk Gwaii Yatx'i
- Zyde Coho's
Family and kids activities
- Seafood Olympics
- Run for the Waves 5K
- Marine Treasure Hunt
- Kayaking Demo Pool
- Kid's ocean sing along
- Marine touch tanks
- Marine mammal rescue races
- Fish art projects
- Face painting
- Interactive biology lessons and other activities
A variety of food and craft vendors
- Bear Tooth Theater Pub
- Hot Licks Ice Cream
- Moose's Tooth Brewing Company
- Organic Oasis
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