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EAGLE RIVER — The 2022 Bear Paw Festival drew thousands of visitors from across the state in spite of the unfavorable weather conditions.
The Bear Paw Festival is an annual community celebration hosted by the Chugiak Eagle River Chamber of Commerce. It features rides and carnival games by Golden Wheel Amusements, a vendor market, a variety of food options, live music, community events, family activities, and a huge parade.
This year’s festival ran from July 13 to July 17.
Executive Director Debbie Rinckey estimated about 25,000 visitors made their way through this year’s festival. She said that’s down from their usual average of 30,000 to 40,000 attendees, but it was still a good turnout considering the weather.
“I think it went really well despite the rain,” Rinckey said.
This year’s music series, Bear Paw Live featured an array of Alaskan performers such as the Ken Peltier Band and the Eternal Cowboys.
Rinckey said the Chamber offers free hot dogs and chips every year during the Teddy Bear Picnic event. She said they gave out about 1,000 hot dogs this year.
“It’s a family friendly event,” Rinckey said.
About 130 vendors participated in the festival, According to Rinckey. She said they always maintain a deep pool of vendors offering a variety of wares and food items to choose from.
Rinckey said they had to cancel the 2020 festival due to the pandemic, but they came back with a bang with a huge crowd the following year.
The Chugiak Eagle River Chamber of Commerce established the Bear Paw Festival 37 years ago. Rinckey said it originally came from a community award ceremony that grew immensely popular once they added the rides and games. It just kept evolving until it reached the point of drawing people from across the state and even around the world having fun amid this cherished summer tradition.
“It’s grown a lot,” Rinckey said.
Admission to the Bear Paw Festival will always be free, according to Rinckey. She said the 2023 event will take place from July 12 through July 16, and they’re eager to keep this tradition alive and well for years to come.
“We put it on to bring folks to our community, and it’s a benefit for our members and their businesses,” Rinckey said. “I think it’s a big deal for people.”
For more information, visit bearpawfestival.org.
Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com
