Running of the ...Salmon?

[AK_hiker]

Just pictures, not a request for CC.

Eagle River , 15 miles north of Anchorage and it's annual Bear Paw Festival 2023. The festival is probably the second most attended event after the State Fair in August. Booths, carnival rides, vendors, various music and competitions throughout the 4 day long festival.

And one of the competitions is the Slippery Salmon Olympics where a relay team of 2 has to navigate a series of obstacles over 30 yards while carrying a dead salmon (usually through gills) and a tray holding cups and an opened soda. One racer passes off to their partner after 30 yards and the partner has to return to starting line in the fastest time possible. Thats the theory but it usually turns ugly after the gills of the salmon break down and course turns slippery. And with the steady rain of this day, slippery was key word.

Anyway thought you'd like to see what passes for fun up here in summertime.

All shot with EM1 MK2 and 12-100

GC

 

[Albert Valentino]

Anyway thought you'd like to see what passes for fun up here in summertime.

WOW. I would image the crowd is really enjoying this, especially if there is betting going on. Do the contestants practice for the event or do people from the crowd just jump in to try their luck, ideally wearing their oldest clothes :-D

 

[AK_hiker]

Pretty much run what ya brung with pairs forming as contest went on. Some local businesses and politicos make up a part of the group.

Early racers get the good , still whole salmon.

Wanted to photograph the pie eating contest next day, but it rained even harder and i let it go.

GC

 

[Albert Valentino]

Wanted to photograph the pie eating contest next day, but it rained even harder and i let it go.

Too bad. I can see that contest that ending in a food fight, especially if pieces of day old Salmon are baked in the pie. I could see that reminiscent of a three stooges pie event ;-)

--
Truth never fears scrutiny.

 

[AK_hiker]

More of a Ghostbusters quote

"I've been slimed"

 

[Bobby J]

Hah! Do the winners have to eat the salmon?

 

[AK_hiker]

The salmon are long past edible even before it began.

GC