So begins Robert Service's famous poem, The Cremation of Sam McGee. While the tale is fiction this, and many of Service's works, were based on the crazy things he saw, heard and experienced in the Yukon country. I have no doubt. Just this past week there were a couple of events in Fairbanks, ones that I am certain were invented during an all-night party binge under the summer sun. Specifically:
The Big Flip. This is when volunteer gamblers from the Alaska Fire Service (smokejumpers and pilots) buy a keg, have a party, and ante up to win a simple coin toss competition (heads, you're out; tails, you're in). The ante this year was $50, and due to high participation, the pot grew to $4850! No, Collin didn't win, another guy did.
But then, wait! There is allowance for one last double-or-nothing opportunity, which was taken up by one smokejumper, who shall remain nameless. One toss of the coin would determine if he stole the pot, or lost $4850 of his own (in addition to his original $50). Drum roll please....Heads. Ouch.
The Annual Red Green Regatta. For 19 years, the local PBS station has hosted this event as a wacky tribute to the Red Green Show. Contestants are required to fashion a watercraft using duct tape and other household materials, and float it about a mile down the Chena River through downtown Fairbanks. Red Green (aka Steve Smith) himself was here to assist in the judging of these hand-crafted vessels.
Some were simple, others elaborate. Some were piloted by one, others by a costumed crew. Many were delivered to the dumpster immediately upon arrival at the takeout. Some didn't make it that far. Among the prizes awarded were:
CLICK ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE (IT'S WORTH IT!).
The Big Flip. This is when volunteer gamblers from the Alaska Fire Service (smokejumpers and pilots) buy a keg, have a party, and ante up to win a simple coin toss competition (heads, you're out; tails, you're in). The ante this year was $50, and due to high participation, the pot grew to $4850! No, Collin didn't win, another guy did.
But then, wait! There is allowance for one last double-or-nothing opportunity, which was taken up by one smokejumper, who shall remain nameless. One toss of the coin would determine if he stole the pot, or lost $4850 of his own (in addition to his original $50). Drum roll please....Heads. Ouch.
The Annual Red Green Regatta. For 19 years, the local PBS station has hosted this event as a wacky tribute to the Red Green Show. Contestants are required to fashion a watercraft using duct tape and other household materials, and float it about a mile down the Chena River through downtown Fairbanks. Red Green (aka Steve Smith) himself was here to assist in the judging of these hand-crafted vessels.
Some were simple, others elaborate. Some were piloted by one, others by a costumed crew. Many were delivered to the dumpster immediately upon arrival at the takeout. Some didn't make it that far. Among the prizes awarded were:
- Most Un-Fathom-Able: for a vessel that gave it a go, but sank or barely made it to the finish
- Best Appreciated at a Distance: for the strangest and ugliest thing you ever did see
- Judges' Award: Not sure what to make of the vessel or costume, but it caught the judges' attention
CLICK ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE (IT'S WORTH IT!).
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