The highlight of October is the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention. This large annual gathering brings together Indigenous leaders and community members together to celebrate culture and discuss important policy issues. The convention itself is Oct. 22-24. This year’s theme is “Rooted in Land and Tradition, Rising in Our Voices.” The First Alaskans Statewide Youth and Elders Conference is immediately before AFN, Oct. 18-21. Both are at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center. https://nativefederation.org/convention/ …. October is also when northern lights viewing gets better, with longer, darker skies. Fairbanks is often an ideal place to see the aurora borealis because it sits under the “Auroral Oval,” a ring-shaped zone over the far north where aurora activity is especially strong. Fairbanks also counts on low precipitation and distance from coastal areas. You can spend money on staying at a resort like Chena Hot Springs or you can rough it by car camping. https://www.chenahotsprings.com/ …. If you’re looking for something more cerebral, UAA has your fix with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham, who is talking about the American presidency Oct. 7. Meacham has written several presidential biographies, such as “And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle” and “American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House.” https://bit.ly/4AgHj0f .... This is also a good month for hiking, late-season fishing outings and local runs like the Zombie Half Marathon on Oct. 10. It’s a point-to-point race, from Goose Lake to Kincaid Park. https://anchoragerunningclub.org/zombie/ …. The Celtic new year celebration, also called Samhain, is Oct. 24. Check the website for ticket information. https://www.akcelts.org/ …. The Kenai Community Library has its monthly Write on Track Writers’ Support Group at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 27 …. October also means Halloween. Fairbanks Trick or Treat Town is an annual event hosted by Fairbanks Parks and Recreation at Alaskaland (formerly Pioneer Park) featuring a mini hay maze, carnival games, live performances, and trick-or-treating. It is from 1 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31. https://www.facebook.com/HalloweenTrickorTreatTown/ …. Haines trick-or-treating is organized by the Haines Chamber of Commerce downtown.
Rambles is compiled from senior center newsletters, websites and reader tips from around the state. Email your Rambles items to editor@seniorvoicealaska.com.
