 | My Alaska News - August |  | | Celebrating summer in Alaska is an effortless feat with near-constant daylight, warm weather and countless ways to soak it all up. This year, Alaska has additional cause for celebration, as its copious national parks will star in a PBS series by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns. Visitors to Alaska's national parks can enjoy new facilities and exhibits along with the breathtaking 322 million acres of public land. For a flavor of tradition, food and family fun, Alaska's state fairs showcase the best of the 49th state, most notably the colossal produce. And visitors to Seward will enjoy visiting the resident animals at the Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska's only public aquarium and ocean wildlife rescue center. Read on for more information on making the most of an Alaska summer vacation.
| | | Alaska's National Parks star in PBS documentary | | | Alaska's national parks will appear in the living rooms of millions of Americans this September as part of a new 12-hour, six-episode public television series by documentary filmmaker Ken Burns. "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" explores the natural beauty, rich history and enduring inspiration of America's national parks. The film traces the birth of the national park idea in the mid-1800s and follows its evolution for nearly 150 years. Cinematographers shot more than 800 rolls of original footage over a six-year period while visiting 53 parks. Alaska is home to over 322 million acres of public lands, more than half of the national park lands in the United States. Want to know how you can experience Alaska's national parks first hand? Click HERE.
| | | Alaska's state fairs show off biggest and brightest | | | State fairs have been a staple of American life for hundreds of years – a celebration of tradition, food, music, carnival rides and usually a petting zoo or two. Most of all, it is a chance for states to showcase their individuality and spirit. In Alaska – amongst the rodeos, sack races and reindeer sausages – visitors get a chance to glimpse the pride and joy of the 49th state: giant vegetables. While other states host similar competitions where local farmers wheelbarrow in their giant squash and striking rutabagas, the difference in Alaska is the long summer days exposing produce to up to 21 hours of nurturing sunlight. The result: colossal, almost mutant-like pumpkins, zucchini, gourds, squash, carrots and cabbage – oh my! The phenomenon is strikingly illustrated during Alaska's state fairs. Click HERE to learn about two of Alaska's biggest state fairs.
| | | | Alaska aquarium presents marine life through hands-on experiences | | | | | | The Alaska SeaLife Center, located in Seward, is celebrating its 11th year of operation in 2009, and is Alaska's only public aquarium and ocean wildlife rescue center. Established in part with funds from the settlement of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the center's mission is to understand and maintain the integrity of Alaska's marine ecosystem through research, rehabilitation, conservation and public education. Click HERE to learn more about visiting the Alaska SeaLife Center.
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