Anchorage Fur Rendezvous 2009

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Rhiannon Willard
  • 477th Fighter Group Public Affairs
ANCHORAGE, Alaska --  Rondy is a 74-year tradition in Anchorage and a 10-day celebration of life
in Alaska! The 2009 Fur Rondy runs from February 28 - March 8.

Only in Anchorage, Alaska will you find the streets covered with snow for the World Championship Sled Dog Races, the Rondy Running of the Reindeer, and more awesome events! 

Downtown Anchorage comes alive with winter sports, native art and culture, plus tons of events for everyone to enjoy! Dance at the Multi Tribal Gathering, wear the best costume at the Miner's and Trapper's Charity Ball, cheer for your favorite Rondy Musher, run in the Frostbite Footrace! Watch the Grand Parade and catch the view from the Carnival Ferris Wheel! Indoors and out, nighttime and day - there are events
for everyone to participate in and enjoy during Rondy. 

Alaska's frontier spirit is alive at Rondy!

The 477th Fighter Group participated in two events in the first weekend of Fur Rondy. The annual Outhouse Competition and the Running of the Reindeer. 

The annual Outhouse Competition is a fundraising event to assist the Architecture and Engineering Club at the University of Alaska Anchorage in traveling to devastated areas with to build homes.  Working with Habitat for Humanity the club will travel and spend two weeks helping with rebuilding efforts wherever they are needed.

Teams bring homemade outhouses that are decorated in various fashions. The 477 FG used the outhouse built to look like an F-22A Raptor, "The Raptor Crapper."  One person has to be in the outhouse, and the four others either push or pull it through the snow.  Although the "Raptor Crapper" did not place amungst the winners, it was given with the "Cleanest Outhouse Award."  

Staff Sgt. Holly Carroll, 477th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, piloted the aircraft while four other Reservists supplied the power. Competition and bragging rights were at stake as the Air Force Reserve team was poised against the Army National Guard team.  The "Raptor Crapper" team was in full force and took the win in the military heat.  

"What a cool opportunity to represent the 477 FG, support a good cause and have a great time!" Reflected Tech. Sgt. Burke Stott, 477 AMXS.  "Thanks to everyone involved for making this a great experience."

Mimicking the running of the bulls in Spain, visitors to the Fur Rondy winter festival have the chance to run shoulder-to-shoulder with reindeer.

Colonel Eric Overturf, 477th Fighter Group Commander at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska and his wife, Karla Overturf, run through the streets of Anchorage during the "2nd Annual Running of the Reindeer." Colonel and Mrs. Overturf ran in the celebrity heat running two city blocks with a herd of reindeer darting through the crowd.

The 477th Fighter Group is Air Force Reserve Command's first F-22A Raptor unit and the first Reserve flying unit based in the Pacific theater of operations. 

"This annual festival is a great opportunity to showcase our Reservists and their many talents," said Col. Overturf.  "The incredible relationship Anchorage has with the military members is like none I have ever seen in my career.  We are privileged to be part of such a great community."