Photo by Clark James Mishler, courtesy of Greater Anchorage, Inc.
Rondy is infused with live music.
sensus among festival organizers is that it costs about a million dollars to hold Rondy, but it brings many times that back into Anchorage’s economy. Besides what people spend on event registration and tickets, they make the rounds of Rondy events for hours and sometimes days, buying food, accommodations, gifts and treats for themselves and family members. Some come from out of state, and a few even come from other countries. The bulk of participants are Alaskans, but even many Alaskans arrive from outside Anchorage and support the local economy. Downtown businesses can attest that their stores, restaurants and bars are packed during Rondy. The influx of Rondy-goers spreads through the city, increasing income for other municipal areas as well. The second weekend of Rondy also coincides with the ceremonial start of the
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in downtown Anchorage, bringing in thousands more people ready to have a little fun, do some shopping and eat out. Although the dog races during Rondy are sprint races and the Iditarod is a long-distance race, Rondy hopes to be able to partner more with the Iditarod Trail Committee for pre-race events such as musher and dog appearances, and bring even more fans of both events together. There’s another aspect of Rondy that’s hard to quantify—the sheer exuberance Alaskans feel at having something fun and active to do as a community and the satisfaction of continuing such a long tradition. And it is, after all, cheaper—and way more fun—than therapy. R Susan Sommer is a freelance writer and editor living in Eagle River.
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www.akbizmag.com • Alaska Business Monthly • February 2013