Summer Solstice Festival

Fairbanks is the home of the largest Solstice Festival in the State. http://explorenorth.com/library/aktravel/bl-solstice.htm

So, we just had to attend, and stay up 'til the "midnight hour" to see what the sun would be doing... the festival was full of Alaskans out from the winter hibernation, enjoying the rides, crafts and food.

Kim found the jewelry and crafts of particular interest, while I just enjoyed eyeing the crowds that reminded me of Mardi Gras.

I had promised Kim a massage for her birthday on the 11th, and it just so happened that there was a booth to fulfill each & every desire. So, while she enjoyed the personal relaxation, I just went about the side streets and enjoyed more of the attractions

, and at least one vendor's product reminded me again of something you just might see in Louisiana:

One of the prime reasons for attending this event was the music lineup. With three stages going all afternoon, we sampled everything from country, to jazz, to rock, folk & bluegrass!

The group that stole the show was Cold Steel, a local carribian steel drum band that was terrific. We've heard many "steel" bands, but never one where the tenor & bass parts were the drums also. What a difference that makes.

You should have been there, it was so, so different & good! They played for almost an hour, and the crowd just loved 'um!

Check out the sample of their sound & jive at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNtdKidDII8

On the way back to the trailer, that "midnight hour" beckoned us to stop & take this shot of Mr. Sun still flying high over the low hills to the North (yes, North!).

and, when we arrived at the trailer at about 12:30AM, we had a toast to this interesting day, seeing first hand the summer solstice in Fairbanks, Alaska!