Gold Rush Days
The festival celebrates the trek of gold seekers over the All-America route beginning in Valdez. The five-day event includes a parade, a fish fry, a pancake breakfast, music, luncheons, kids' activities and a game night. The Valdez Museum will have lectures and free lemonade.
Where: Locations vary
When: Aug. 1-5
Cost: Varies
Phone: 835-2984
Web: www.valdezalaska.org
Historic videos
Anne's Place Sugar & Spice is a gift store on Egan Drive in downtown Valdez, and if the gifts and clothing don't pull you in, the minitheater should. The gift shop's theater shows two videos throughout the day: the 25-minute "Trans-Alaska Pipeline" about the construction of the 800-mile oil pipeline and the 45-minute "Though the Earth be Moved" about the 1964 Good Friday earthquake that destroyed Valdez.
Where: 200 Egan Drive
When: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays
Cost: Free
Phone: 835-4336
Web: www.thestoreinalaska.com
Last Frontier Theatre Conference
The annual conference brings together actors, directors, producers, theater enthusiasts and playwrights for a weeklong immersion in the craft of writing for the stage. Events include daily play readings, panel discussions and evening entertainment.
Where: Valdez Civic Center
When: June 22-30
Cost: $250 for full registration; day registration is $50
Phone: 834-1614
Web: www.pwscc.edu
May Day Fly-in and Airshow
The Bush plane competition and air show will feature more than 100 planes of all types. There will be static displays along with flying skills competitions, historical displays, vendors and flightseeing rides.
Where: Valdez Pioneer Airport
When: May 11-13
Cost: Free to visitors
Phone: 835-2984
Web: www.valdezalaska.org
Valdez Fish Derbies
Halibut and silver salmon derbies run throughout the summer, with big payoffs for the winners. The two derbies have a combined payout of more than $80,000 in cash and prizes. In 2006, the $15,000 cash first prizes went to Kevin Lincoln with a 343.6-pound halibut and Paula Groundwater with an 18.42-pound silver salmon. The annual Women's Silver Salmon Derby is Aug. 11.
Where: Waters around Valdez
When: May 26 to Sept. 2 (halibut), July 28 to Sept. 3 (silvers)
Cost: $10 daily
Phone: 835-5680
Web: www.valdezfishderbies.com
Valdez Museum
The museum offers interpretive exhibits about the history of the Prince William Sound-Copper River Valley-Valdez region. Topics include Native cultures, the Gold Rush, the 1964 earthquake, the oil industry and the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. Items of interest include two turn-of-the-century restored fire engines, a Civil War-era cannon, a Fresnel lighthouse lens and reproductions of a prospector's cabin and turn of the century parlor. Temporary art exhibits show year-round.
Where: 217 Egan Drive
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Cost: $5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $4 ages 14-17, free younger than 14 (includes admission to the Remembering Old Valdez Exhibit)
Phone: 835-2764
Web: www.valdezmuseum.org
Remembering Old Valdez Exhibit
The centerpiece is the Old Town Valdez Model that shows the town as it appeared in 1963, just before the 1964 Good Friday earthquake. The scale model includes more than 400 buildings and 60 city blocks. Buildings were constructed based on original photographs, and former residents were consulted to determine the location of various features.
Where: 436 S. Hazelet Ave.
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Memorial Day to Labor Day
Cost: $5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $4 ages 14-17, free younger than 14 (includes admission to the Valdez Museum)
Phone: 835-2764
Web: www.valdezmuseum.org
Whitney Museum
The museum provides a look at Alaska life, cultures and wildlife. Some of the displays include Eskimo kayaks and umiaks, Native-carved ivory, trophy-class mounts of Alaska's big-game animals, whale baleen pieces, Alaska Native dolls in authentic clothing and prehistoric artifacts. There are many Alaskana books and videos. The collection was donated by Jesse and Maxine Whitney.
Where: Valdez Airport Annex
When: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Cost: $5 adults, $4 seniors and military
Phone: 834-1690, 834-1614
Web: www.pwscc.edu
Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site
The glacier is easily accessible from the Richardson Highway. There is a short trail leading to the glacier, and there is an interpretive shelter. The Thompson Pass area features many glaciers and high alpine tundra excellent for hiking.
Where: Richardson Highway
When: Open daily
Cost: Free
Web: www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/jewels/pws.htm
