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Every solstice in June, thousands of visitors travel from all over the country to take part in our midnight sun “street party:” a 6K run/walk beginning at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and winds through the nearby neighborhoods. The fun part is: it doesn’t start until 10 pm on June 21st, and it is never too dark to run in the sun, even if it takes you till midnight to cross the finish line!

A costume contest that gives away tickets to Hawaii on Alaska Airlines is the incentive for great creativity. I’ve seen the Flintstones, groups of salmon spawning up river (going against the racers, then turning around to run in the correct direction) and characters from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

This is a real family event and you’ll see moms with strollers running or walking, and kids in radio flyer wagons being pulled along. For those more inclined toward couch potato status, lawn chairs are pulled up along the streets lining the course so the free entertainment can be cheered on from the sidelines.