Community Events

Scottish Highland Games

We welcome the Scottish Highland Games to Eagle River at Lions Park. This all day event features traditional Scottish Games and massing of the bag pipe bands in a spectacular cultural display. Come celebrate the Scottish heritage and visit us in Eagle River -- 4th Saturday of June each year! www.alaskascottish.org

Independence Day Celebrations
Fireworks on July 3 & Parade on July 4th

Annually, on July 3rd, the Eagle River Lions Club hosts the community-wide Independence Day celebration. Located at mile 1.5 of Eagle River Road, Lions Park is the scene for thousands to enjoy community entertainment, sky divers, games, and concessions. The evening's events begin at 6:30pm and culminate at Midnight with a terrific fireworks display. Because it starts off at midnight, this is the first official "July 4th" firework celebration in the area. Crowds bring blankets and picnic baskets and come to enjoy the event under the midnight sun! Residents, young and old alike, take this occasion to celebrate our nation's birthday!

On July 4th, the Chugiak Area Business Association hosts the Chugiak Community Parade with support from the Chugiak Volunteer Fire Department. This annual tradition begins at 2pm at Latimer Fire Station on the Old Glenn Highway and travels two miles north to Chugiak Elementary School & the Chugiak Senior Center. Those wishing to enter the parade need to be at Latimer Fire Station by 1pm to register. There are no fees This is the way the 4th was meant to be celebrated  with the old fashioned, neighborhood parade. Spectators line the parade route while participants toss pounds of candy to the cheering crowds. Rain or shine, this is a Chugiak tradition that everyone enjoys!

Bear Paw Festival 2008
"Barnum & Bearly -- Under the Big Top "

July 9-13

Beginning in 1985, the Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce created the Bear Paw Festival to celebrate the community and to share the bountiful beauty of the area with others. The Festival has grown along with the community since its creation.

This will be the 23nd year of the Festival. Bear Paw draws participation from the entire Southcentral region of Alaska and we are proud that most all of the efforts expended on staging this festival are derived from dedicated volunteers.

We are planning new events and are expecting even larger attendance. It is with the support of our corporate sponsors that we are able to provide a positive family oriented event for the community with no general admission. We would like to thank our corporate sponsors for their continuing commitment to keeping this a "Family Fun" event!

FUN EVENTS INCLUDE...
The Festival features events such as the Teddy Bear Picnic & Family Fun Day, Classic Car Show, Miss Bear Paw & Escort Pageant, Bicycle Safety Rodeo, 5K run, Slippery Salmon Olympics, Bear Paw Salmoni Cook-off, Dog & Owner Look-a-like Contest, Tri-Bear-a-Thon, 300 Yard* Fun Run (*Because after 300 yards it isn't fun anymore!) and the highlight of the weekend . . . THE GRAND PARADE!. The parade is one of the largest in the state. In addition, Golden Wheel Amusements provides carnival rides and games for one and all!

The Bear Paw Festival is a labor of love for the citizens of Chugiak-Eagle River. Volunteer hours are as long as the days of the Midnight Sun, but this community comes together to share part of itself with others.Come, adventure, explore, experience, trek and share during the Bear Paw Festival and enjoy!

Winter Wonderland Walk &

Community Tree Lighting

FRIDAY DECEMBER 5, 2008

Downtown Eagle River Commons is the site for the annual tree lighting which is scheduled for Friday, December 5 and Saturday December 6. The tree lighting is co-hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, Chugiak-Eagle River Parks & Recreation and Eagle River Rotary and features the elementary school choirs from the Chugiak-Eagle River area. Santa and a team of his eight real reindeer visit the event with a Torched Processional and a visit with all the kids. .

On the first Friday and Saturday in December the businesses in downtown Eagle River host an old fashioned holiday competition. The public is invited to go on free horse drawn sleigh rides by the Horse Drawn Carriage Company (907-688-6005) and enjoy the sounds of holiday carolers from Chugiak High School . Businesses compete to create the best holiday munchie and the public is invited to visit each of the participants and sample their culinary creations. The pride and joy of the "Munch" is the Gingerbread House Competition displayed at First National Bank Alaska. Annually, kids young and old enter a wide array of gingerbread house creations to the delight of the whole community. A variety of other holiday competitions are held during this event -- contact the Chamber for details at 694-4702.