Arctic Traveler’s Gift Shop
BRATWURSTS & BUTTONS AT 2012 YUKON QUEST
Hear ye, hear ye! It’s time for the 2012 Yukon Quest, the epic 1,000-mile test of strength, willpower, and bootie warmth for 24 brave dog teams and their mushers. The race kicks off at 11am on Saturday, February 4th on the Chena River in downtown Fairbanks. Here’s the breakdown of the weekend’s fanfare for “the world’s toughest sled dog race.”
DOWNTOWN EVENT SCHEDULE
Wednesday, February 1st
5:00PM – The downtown party vamps up with the 2012 Start and Draw Banquet at the Westmark Hotel & Conference Center. A $60 ticket includes a buffet dinner, music, and a chance to mingle with the teams. Mushers will draw their place at the start line amidst an atmosphere of electrical anticipation. Purchase tickets at the Yukon Quest cabin on 1st Avenue or by calling (907)452-7954.
Friday, February 3rd
3:00-5:00PM – Tune into KSUA 91.5 FM College (stream live from the website) for The Downtowner radio show, featuring special guest Iris J.W. Sutton, the artistic genius behind the official 2012 Yukon Quest poster and a former Quest competitor. She’ll tell us what it’s like to run the Quest, describe the inspiration for her poster design, and talk about the pieces on display for her “Color of Winter” First Friday show at the Fairbanks Community Museum.
5:00-8:00PM - A stellar First Friday includes exhibits and activities themed around the Yukon Quest. The Alaska Public Lands Information Center presents a panel lecture at 7PM from the Alaska Historical Society about Jujiro Wada (a Japanese immigrant) titled “Blazing the Yukon Quest Trail, 1902″ as part of the Explore Alaska lecture series at the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center. Learn about Jujiro’s adventures through Alaska in the late 1800s and check out the craftsmanship of Amanda Gecas of Boundary Fur Sewing, an avid musher who makes clothing and gear that is toasty enough for the trail.
Fairbanks Community Museum debuts “Color of Winter” by Iris J.W. Sutton who designed the official 2012 poster for the Yukon Quest. Bold, colorful brushstrokes on oversized canvas bring subjects to life including a dog team painted in primary colors that emit a radiance of energy and warmth. The museum also houses exhibits on the history of dog mushing in Interior Alaska.
9:00PM – After First Friday, join us for karaoke at Big Daddy’s BBQ for the first time at this location!
Saturday, February 4th
8:00AM – Gear up with a hearty breakfast provided by the Farthest North Elks Lodge with all proceeds benefitting the Yukon Quest. Pancakes will be served up hot off the griddle at 8am and $10 will get you a plate (free for kids 6 and under).
10:30AM – Lavelle’s Bistro open for brats and beer in honor of the Yukon Quest! Open all day and switches to regular menu at 4:30pm, just in time for the YQ300 start.
11:00AM – 2012 YUKON QUEST OFFICIAL START TIME – Watch 24 teams take their first brisk steps toward Whitehorse. Line the Chena River on both banks and pack the bridges to catch a glimpse of Lance Mackey, Hugh Neff, Brent Sass, Mike Ellis, and an eager group of rookies as they mush forth into the great white wilderness.
5:00PM – 11 teams will start their run for the Yukon Quest 300 from the same location on the river. This is a chance for mushers to get a taste of the Quest trail without going all the way to Whitehorse, and they can qualify for future Yukon Quests or the Iditarod.
All Day – Dog mushing products are 20% off at Arctic Traveler’s Gift Shop on Saturday in honor of the race, patrons will receive 15% off store-wide at the Fairbanks Community Museum (except Ice Dogs merchandise) and Forget-Me-Not Books is having a buy one, get one free sale on chick lit so you can stock up for the rest of the winter. Julia’s Solstice Cafe serves up delicious Diving Duck coffee on the house with purchase of breakfast or lunch.
Many businesses will be open during the Quest start and welcome fans and visitors to stop in to warm up! Those closest to the river include The Big I Pub & Lounge, the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center, The Fudge Pot, Arctic Traveler’s Gift Shop, Lavelle’s Bistro, l’assiette de Pomegranate, and the Co-Op Plaza (home to the Co-Op Diner, brand new Gallery 49, and Alana’s Espresso Escape).
WHERE TO PARK ON SATURDAY
With thousands of people descending on downtown Fairbanks for the start of the Yukon Quest, it’s important to come with a parking plan in mind. Lots closest to the river will fill up fast – including those at the Big I, Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center, the courthouse on 1st Ave, and Immaculate Conception Church. The borough parking lot (and plug-ins) will be available for use and Graehl Landing has limited spaces.
Two of the best bets for guaranteed downtown parking within easy walking distance of the Quest start include Sadler’s parking lot on Cushman Street and the parking garage with entrance on 3rd Avenue.
SUPPORT THE QUEST
A race of this magnitude can’t happen without volunteers, corporate sponsors, and individual contributors. You can do your part to ensure the future of this great race by “sponsoring” one mile of the trail. Pick a number between 1-1,000 that is significant to you (a birthday, anniversary, or lucky number) and register your name as the official sponsor of this segment. It’s only $10 and you’ll receive a keepsake button with the mile of your choice. Call the Quest office or stop into the cabin on 1st Ave to contribute.
The Quest has a fabulous line of 2012 gear and memorabilia in the log cabin on 1st Avenue, and Saturday is a perfect time to stop in and pick up clothing, race posters, pins, patches, artwork, and stuffed sled dogs complete with a harness!
Arctic Traveler’s Gift Shop
Cocoa the Reindeer @ Arctic Travelers Gift Shop
by Amy Nordrum · 1 Comment
Visit with Cocoa the Reindeer in celebration of Winter Solstice outside of Arctic Traveler’s Gift Shop. Cocoa loves to pose for photos with fans of all ages! Hot chocolate and cookies served inside, and door prizes will be handed out all nght long. Come and celebrate the return of the sun!
When:
Wednesday, December 21st 5:00pm-8:00pm
Where:
Arctic Travelers Gift Shop
201 Cushman Street
Phone:
(907)456-7080
Arctic Traveler’s Gift Shop
Trick-or-Treat @ Arctic Travelers Gift Shop
Enjoy hot apple cider, cookies, door prizes, and trick-or-treat at Arctic Travelers Gift Shop for Halloween.
When:
Monday, October 31st
Where:
Arctic Travelers Gift Shop
201 Cushman Street
Phone:
(907)456-7080
Arctic Traveler’s Gift Shop
ARCTIC TRAVELERS GIFT SHOP
Arctic Travelers Gift Shop
201 Cushman Street, 907.456.7080
Let us help you choose the perfect keepsake or gift. We offer a wonderful selection of Yupik Eskimo baskets, Inupiat Eskimo carvings, Athabaskan beadwork and much more! Our Made-in-Alaska section also has many unique items including scrimshaw knives, etched wine glasses and carved antlers. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff is ready to assist you. We will gift wrap, pack and ship any purchase. Open year-round. Summer Hours 9am-9pm, Mon-Sat; 10am-6pm, Sun Winter Hours 10am-6pm, Mon-Sat; 11am-5pm, Sun
Learn more about Arctic Travelers Gift Shop.
Arctic Traveler’s Gift Shop
Ken Vaughn @ Arctic Travelers Gift Shop
by Kara Nash · Leave a Comment
Arctic Travelers Gift Shop features Alaska-Made art, accesories and knifes by Ken Vaughn. His work is for sale and is made in Salcha, Alaska since 1992.
When:
First Firday, September 3rd, 2010- 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Where:
Arctic Travelers Gift Shop
201 Cushman Street
Arctic Traveler’s Gift Shop
Alaska Wooden Arts @ Arctic Travelers Gift Shop
by Kara Nash · Leave a Comment
Celebrate First Friday in August at Arctic Travelers Gift Shop. Featuring handmade Alaskan wood products by Alaska Wooden Arts. The whole line of spalted Birch ulus, knives and bowls will be available for sale. Help yourself to refreshments as you take in an ulu demonstration.
When:
Friday, August 6th, 2010- 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Where:
Arctic Travelers Gift Shop
201 Cushman Street
Arctic Traveler’s Gift Shop
PERHAPS ITS TIME FOR CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM
Although there are many varied opinions about tourism downtown this summer, there are hopeful signs that visitation is up a little and that those people making the journey to Fairbanks are loosening up there purse strings more than last year. The city bed tax for the time period of January through the end of May is up 10.4 percent, with the lion’s share of that increase happening in the month of May. There appears to be a few more folks walking the streets of our little river city (a purely anecdotal sentiment). And then there are business women, like the savvy Angelika, of Arctic Travelers Gift Shop, who say things are looking up.
Angelika said she set out to find something for everyone while shopping for her store last winter and spring, and that she is pleased by how the summer is going. She came back with a mix of products, with everything from Matryoshka dolls to Alaska gem stone necklaces, that are selling steadily to tourists and locals alike.
“Authentic products such as Native masks and Eskimo yo-yo’s are doing well with those looking for Alaskan-made merchandise. Our extensive, reasonably priced inventory of t-shirts and sweatshirts bring people back for more, and our mugs and figurines sell well to people on a budget looking for gifts or something special to take home.”
Angelika says store sales are up and she is optimistic that the worst has passed. I had the pleasure to stop into Arctic Travelers the other day and I must say the rich variety of Alaskan merchandise, the attractive displays and the excellent customer service certainly seem to be a recipe for success.
