SATURDAY, AUGUST 2
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!
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 Renee and team demonstrate techniques and ideas for aspiring chefs and home cooks.
1:30 PM | - Presentation - Nolan Center
RAY TROLL - Inspired by Bear
Ketchikan artist, naturalist and humorist Ray Troll has lived in Alaska for most of his life and has been inspired by his encounters with bears and the culture surrounding them. Ray will share some of his unique bear-themed artworks along with the story of his offbeat and scientifically driven career.
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.
8:00PM | Live Music
Marine Bar
Jackson Roltgen, the Powers and local musicians.
Check out Jackson's Music Here
Thank you for joining us for Bearfest!
We hope to see you again next year.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1
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 James Beard Award winning Chef Renee Erickson and team. Renee Erickson is a James Beard awarding winning chef, author, and co-owner of multiple properties in Seattle, Washington: The Walrus and the Carpenter, The Whale Wins, Barnacle, Bar Melusine, Bateau, Rana e Rospo, and several General Porpoise Doughnuts and Coffee locations. As a Seattle native (well, Woodinville to be exact), Renee's restaurants highlight the bounty of the Pacific Northwest with a European sensibility. Bon Appetit Magazine has compared her to M.F.K. Fisher, Elizabeth David, and Julia Child. This is the celebration of the 15 year anniversary of Renee's Seattle restaurant The Walrus and The Carpenter. Renee and her team including Executive Chef Bobby Palmquist are honoring BearFest in choosing to spend this special occasion in Wrangell with us. The team from eatseacreatures.com is planning a special dinner focused on locally harvested seafood and locally grown vegetables. Courses are served family style and include something for everyone.
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 ).
2025 SCHEDULE
(UPDATES WILL BE POSTED HERE)
2025 Schedule will be updated as it develops Dates are July 30- August 3
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3
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.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30
10:00 AM | Art Workshop I
Gyotaku - Japanese Art of Printing
Nolan Center Lobby
Art project for adults and youth. Learn to make your own prints using real sea creatures and acrylic paints. Paper will be provided, but feel free to bring your own T-Shirt, apron or napkins. Some 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.
3:00 PM I T3- STEM and FRIENDS OF ANAN Presentation
Nolan Center
Wrangell youth T-3 program presents updates and reception of their design and installation of real time cameras at Anan and collaboration with Explore.com.
THURSDAY, JULY 31
10:00 AM | Art Workshop I
Gyotaku - Japanese Art of Printing
Nolan Center Lobby
Art project for adults and youth.Learn to make your own prints using real sea creatures and acrylic paints. Paper will be provided, but feel free to bring your own T-Shirt, apron, or napkins. Some 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
MATTHIAS BREITER - The Social Bear
Bears are always described as loners and essentially as asocial. But is this correct?