'We really want people to get excited': Mat-Su Arctic Winter Games kicks off 1-year countdown

The countdown to the 2024 Mat-Su Arctic Winter Games (AWG) will officially kickoff next week with a variety of events.

The year-out events run March 4-10, with a family fun-filled week of events to celebrate the Arctic Winter Games coming to the Mat-Su Borough in 2024.

Up first is a test event for the snowshoe race. In preparation for the AWG, Aktive Soles is hosting a free snowshoe race for the community to come test the official race course.

“It’s our test event where we are trialing the course, getting the kinks worked out, especially since the venue hasn’t had had races like this before,” said Margaret Adsit, the Marketing Manager for the Mat Su 2024 Arctic Winter Games.

“We’re very excited about this,” she added.

Family and friends are encouraged to come out to the Spring Creek/Kellogg Farm this Sunday, March 4. There will be a 10K race, which starts at 10:00 am, and a 5K race that gets underway at 11:30 am. For more info, and to sign up, visit www.aktivesoles.com/aktiv.../nunataq-snowshoe-challenge/

Then, on the 8th, representatives from the Mat-Su AWG will be giving a keynote speech at the Palmer Chamber of Commerce luncheon meeting at the Palmer Train Depot

On Thursday, March 9, the Mat-Su AWG will be presenting a free “Dinner and A Movie” event, with a lasagna feed starting at 5:00 pm, followed by a screening of the ‘The Arctics,’ at the Wasilla Public Library.

‘The Arctics’ is a never-before-seen look at the history and impacts of the Arctic Winter Games, an international circumpolar sports and cultural event that began in 1970. The film follows the stories of characters from across the 9 contingents that make up the international competition as they prepare to partake in the 2020 Arctic Winter Games, which marked the 50th year since first opening in Yellowknife, NWT.

“This is an incredible documentary done by a production company out of Whitehorse, about the meaning and the feeling around the Games. It’s a beautiful film,” said Adsit, adding, “it brings home what the Games are and it’s a great way for people to go to the Games before the Games, and get some context of what’s going to happen next year.”

On Friday, March 10, the Mat-Su AWG will sponsor a Family Fun Day at the MTA Ice Arena, including an open skate for all ages and abilities, with free skate rentals from 12:00-1:00 pm. Attendees will also have the chance to meet Arctic Winter Games athletes, learn how to get involved in the 2024 Games, and enjoy lunch from Duke’s Sweets & Treats.

The fun doesn’t stop there because also on Friday, the AWG will be having a ‘Fund-the-Bed Bed Races’ at the MTA Events Center. Teams of 5 can sign up, with costumes highly encouraged. The money raised will go to fund beds for the thousands of athletes that will be participating.

Throughout the week, staff and volunteers from the Mat-Su AWG will be hiding painted rocks with the Ambassador Chickadee rocks all around Palmer, which is where the AWG headquarters is located. People who find the rocks will be able to win some AWG swag.

For people who want to get involved, but maybe cannot attend, they are encouraged to stop by and pick up a Passport to the AWG. Individuals who complete passport will be eligible to earn prized.

And for those social media fans, there is the #EpicMatSu competition, an opportunity to share photos or videos taken in the Mat-Su. Simply tag @awg2024, and use the #EpicMatsu hashtag during the month of March 2023, and the AWG Board of Directors will vote on their favorite to win an AWG 2024 jacket.

“With all of these events, we really want to get people excited about the Games, that this is going to be huge.”

For more information for any of these events, please visit www.awg2024.org/events.