Golden Days Events for 2008

Golden Days is our celebration of the discovery of gold in Fairbanks in 1902.

 The Official Golden Days this year runs from July 20 through the 26th, with the Grande Parade Saturday, July 26, 2009. See Golden Days for more information. The logo for 2008 is shown at right.

Theme:

For more on the history of Fairbanks, take a trip to our history page. The schedule of events for this year's celebration is below. Call 907-452-1105 for more information, or go to http://www.fairbankschamber.org/happening/GoldenDays2008.html. Organizers for lots of events "piggy-back" on Golden Days, so there will be much more happening than this. Please see our main event calendars for more things happening in this time period. Rubber Duckie tickets went on sale Memorial Day weekend at Pioneer Park.

Throughout Golden Days 2009:

The Chamber of Commerce sponsors and coordinates Golden Days. If not sponsored by the Chamber, the sponsor is noted.

 Golden Days Celebration (7/21-26/09). Annual city-wide celebration of the discovery of gold in Fairbanks in 1902. A week of activities culminate in the state's largest parade. Included are activities for "sourdoughs" as well as first-time visitors.  http://www.fairbankschamber.org Phone  (907) 452-1105 or you can e-mail:  goldendays@fairbankschamber.org

Golden Days Kick-Off Luncheon (7/21/09) See Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce for more information, http://www.fairbankschamber.org Phone  (907) 452-1105

Golden Days Kick-Off Party (7/22/09) See Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce for more information, http://www.fairbankschamber.org Phone  (907) 452-1105

Golden Days Golden Citizen's Luncheon (7/23/09) See Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce for more information, http://www.fairbankschamber.org Phone  (907) 452-1105

Felix Pedro Golden Days Weigh-In (7/??/09) This is a 6:00 p.m. re-enactment of Felix Pedro's ride into town after discovering gold near Fox on July 22, 1902. In the past, the Pedro look-alike chosen at the kick-off party left downtown with his poke in the morning and led his mule down Cushman Street, across the bridge to Denali State Bank, and their was usually a robbery on his way.  Now, the event begins as Pedro leads his burro through the Goldrush Town in Pioneer Park, ending at Denali Bank.. (907) 452-1105

Golden Days Theatre Thursday (7/23/09) See Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce for more information, http://www.fairbankschamber.org Phone  (907) 452-1105

Golden Days Young Pioneer;s Day (7/24/09) See Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce for more information, http://www.fairbankschamber.org Phone  (907) 452-1105

Golden Days Comedy Night (7/24/09) See Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce for more information, http://www.fairbankschamber.org Phone  (907) 452-1105

Golden Days Street Fair (7/25/09) 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Downtown Fairbanks. Visit a wide variety of unique vendors and enjoy a fun-filled day in the heart of our great city. This street fair includes something for everyone – enjoy great food for sale by a variety of vendors, music to suite all tastes, entertainment, demonstrations, arts and crafts, dunk tank, bungee trampoline, games for the kids and much, much more!

Golden Days AT&T Grande Parade (7/25/09)  Largest parade in Interior, it is the culmination of Golden Days, over 90 entries expected, the route starts at Fort Wainwright at 10 a.m. and winds through downtown, ending up at Alaskaland. (907) 452-1105

Golden Days Rubber Duckie Race (7/25/09) At 2:30, 6,000 numbered rubber ducks race down the Chena from the Wendell Street Bridge to the finish line at Golden Heart Plaza downtown to win cash and prizes for the lucky person(s) who bought their matching ticket. (907) 452-1105 See our Golden Days Calendar for the prizes!

Children's Golden Days Parade (7/26?/09) Children (dressed in their favorite costumes) parade around Pioneer Park. Prizes are awarded. (907) 452-1105.

Here are some descriptions of events from the past. We assume this year's events will be similar:

Comedy Night

Last year it was 6pm - 10pm; $10.00 in advance, $12.00 at the door, 12 & Under were FREE. News-Miner Tent @ Pioneer Park

 Golden Days Street Fair

Last year it was 9am - 6pm; FREE ADMISSION - Downtown Fairbanks
Visit a wide variety of unique vendors and enjoy a fun-filled day in the heart of our great city.  This street fair includes something for everyone - enjoy great food for sale by a variety of vendors.  Don't miss the music and entertainment to suite all tastes! There will also be demonstrations, arts and crafts, dunk tank, games for the kids and much, much more!

Grande Parade

Last year it was 10am; Downtown Fairbanks
The pinnacle of Golden Days activities and the largest parade in Alaska! Hosting more than 100 entries including marching bands, clowns, jugglers, antique cars, unicycle riders and floats, the parade winds from the Carlson Center through downtown, where it ends at Noble and Airport Way.  The parade in the past has been broadcast LIVE by KTVF Channel 11.

Rubber Duckie Race 

Last year it was 2:30pm; Downtown Fairbanks
And they're off! All 6,000 rubber duckies totaling over $20,000 in cash and prizes.  On race day the, the yellow duckies are dropped from the Wendell Street Bridge into the Chena River.  The numbered duckies float downstream to the finish line at the Golden Heart Plaza at the Cushman Street Bridge.

Want to win $5,000, $10,000 or even $15,000?
Contact the Chamber Office for more ticket information.

All of the above listings and times are subject to change. For more information, call the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce @ 452-1105 ext. 22 or e-mail,  goldendays@fairbankschamber.org.