There were 67 float entries part of the long-standing tradition as nearly 3,000 people cheered from the sidewalks.
Parade entries included the 11th Airborne Division Band, local school marching bands, the antique auto mushers along with a few local celebrities in Anchorage.ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The 5.2 inches of snow that showered on downtown Anchorage Saturday morning didn’t scare Alaskans from attending the 67th annual Fur Rendezvous parade. This year’s parade was the largest the organization has seen since the 1972, Fur Rondy executive director John McCleary said.
That yearly outcome, McCleary said, plays a big part in the local downtown economy. A 2013 survey, by the International Festivals & Events Association, estimated that Fur Rondy had a $13 million economic impact. McCleary said Fur Rondy encourages people to visit local restaurants and shops in the area.
“This is part of our mission, not only to provide that great experience as far as a festival and family fun but also to provide that economic boost to downtown Anchorage,” McCleary said. “This is one of the main activities or main events helping businesses make get through the winter.”