ALASKA BEARFEST INC - A 501-3(c) grassroots nonprofit dedicated to educating all about BEARS.
PO Box 934 Wrangell, Alaska 99929
fun@alaskabearfest.org
Copyright © Alaska Bearfest. All rights reserved. SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
10:00 AM | Golf Tournament
Muskeg Meadows
Registration starts at 9:00am.
ALL Day - Chainsaw Bear Carving exhibition
Nolan Center - outside
Award winning chainsaw carving master Nick Bielby continues and finishes carving a local log to release the bear hidden inside. Stop by to see Nick in Action
10:00 AM-1:00 PM | Community Market
Nolan Center
Vendors of local goods. Produce, handmade items, baked goods, art, and more!
10:00 AM | ART FUN FOR ALL
Nolan Center
Paint a Bear Christmas Tree ornament. This time you can keep it.
11:00 AM |Kids Games
Nolan Center Lawn
The famous Bearfest fish toss, cub-o-war & bowling bears & more!
USFS camp set-up. Fun for kids of all ages.
11:30 AM | Cooking Demonstration
Nolan Center
Ricotta Cavatelli with Chef Lauren
Learn how to make an Italian staple food. This is a hands on session for a maximum of 10 people. $50 per person. Take home your creation for dinner complete with some Cafe Lago marinara or pesto. Call Alaska Vistas 907-874-3006 to sign up.
1:00 PM | How to visit Anan - Safely
Nolan Center
Presentation by the USFS Anan management team leader Jennifer Kardiak. Learn how to get permits, access the site, and about expectations on the trail and observatory platform.
2:30 PM | Effective Use of Bear Spray
Nolan Center - outside
Learn the proper use of bear spray. Demonstrations using inert spray to show timing, distance and spray pattern. Demonstration by Friends of Anan and guests.
3:00 PM | Seafood Contest
Nolan Center Lobby
Judging for the best local seafood dish. Entries should be delivered by 2:30pm.
3:30 PM | 1/2 Marathon and 5K Informational Meeting
Nolan Center Lobby
Check out the course maps, and receive information for race day.
Thank you for joining us for Bearfest!
We hope to see you again next year.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
8:00 AM | Plant Walk
Nature Trail (Volunteer Park)
Learn about the plats of the SE Alaska biome and their uses.
10:00 AM | Art Fun for All
Art project for adults and youth.
Nolan Center
Paint a Bear Christmas Tree ornament. This time you can keep it.
1:00 PM I Chainsaw Bear Carving exhibition
Nolan Center - outside
Award winning chainsaw carving master Nick Bielby starts with a local log to release the bear hidden inside. This exhibition will start today and continue on Saturday. Stop by to see Nick in Action.
2:00 PM I Photography Workshop
Nolan Center
Jonathan Dawe - Wrangell Sentinel
Cameras Cameras Cameras - which one to choose
Jonathan Dawe explains how to choose the right camera for the occasion.
3:00 PM I Anan Livestream Project presentation
Nolan Center
Friends of Anan and Explore.org talk about the live Anan bear cam project from development to implementation, and plans for the future.
6:00 PM| Dinner & Auction
Stikine Restaurant
Chef Lauren Thompson of Cafe Lago returns.
. (Tickets will be available on a first come first served basis at 08:00 July 8 - call Alaska Vistas at 907-874-3006 ).
2026 SCHEDULE
(UPDATES WILL BE POSTED HERE)
2026 Schedule will be updated as it develops Dates are August 6 - 9
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9
7:00AM | Race Registration
Nolan Center
7:00 to 7:45 - Half marathon, and 5K registration
8:00-8:30AM | Race Starts
Nolan Center
8:00am | Regular start for half marathon
8:30am | Start for 5K walkers, runners & bikers
THURSDAY, August 6
10:30AM| Read with a Ranger
Irene Ingle Public Library - Gazebo
Children's books with Forest Service Smokey Bear
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.
3:00PM | Native Stories and Culture
Chief Shakes Tribal House
Enjoy a presentation of Tlingit heritage and culture
6:00 PM | Symposium
Nolan Center
Eric Johnston - bear management technician at Katmai National Park
Grin and Bear It:Managing and Living with Bears in our National Parks and Communities
Park and community wide challenges and problem solving capabilities of co-existence with bears in Alaska and North America