Wearable Art 2015

There are a few major events that Juneauites anticipate with glee each year: Winter Solstice, December First Friday, Public Market, and Wearable Art.  Out of all the community festivities, Wearable Art continues to be one of the shindigs I look forward to the most.  The bright colors, heart-pumping tunes, and whimsical atmosphere is a much needed break from the greyness of winter.  This year's Wearable Art Extravaganza was no exception.  With the theme Juxtaposition: A Celebration of Contrasts, Juneau's Centennial Hall welcomed a packed house and morphed into a theatrical runway, fit for New York Fashion Week.

I hope you enjoy these snapshots from Sunday's inspiring show.  (click the photos below to expand and see full frame detail)

Sunday Stroll to the Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves

What's one of the advantages of living in Juneau when the temps drop below freezing?  Trekking across the frozen Mendenhall Lake, of course.  This latest adventure involved joining friends for the two mile icy jaunt and into one of the lower Mendenhall Glacier ice caves.  It was a rare rain-free day, with the sun peeking through snow clouds on occasion.  What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

(click the photos below to expand)

Patron of Pork - BaconFest 2015

The evening began with bacon caramel ice cream (yes, really).  Then there was the bacon pecan pie hot toddy.  Followed by bacon popcorn, bacon ramen, chocolate dipped bacon, and pork liquor.  Oh - and there was bacon nigiri, bacon jam, bacon churros, even bacon lollipops and bacon roses.  It was a night of bacon, y'all - and it didn't disappoint. 

About 400 Juneauites turned out for the 3rd Annual BaconFest Fundraiser, sponsored by the Juneau Glacier Valley Rotary Club.  Fire on Mcginnis provided the tunes, and about 20 vendors lined Centennial Hall, vying for patrons' votes for the tastiest treat. 

My personal faves? Coppa's candy cap mushroom ice cream with candied bacon topped with bacon fat praline - which snagged first place in the Sweet category.  And then there was the decadent second place Savory category winner from McGivney's - the bacon brioche, potato foam, topped with shaved egg. 

Who knew pork could be so versatile!

Amy George models a one-of-a-kind bacon outfit created by Lauralye Miko.

A closeup of the bacon brassiere.

And then there was the Bacon Eating Contest...  (there a really comical dude at the :39 mark)

        And of course, what shindig is complete without a bacon costume?

Alaska Inaugural Gala

It was an evening of rainforest revelry, a night of wool and sequins, chiffon and XtraTufs.  It was the long-awaited Alaska Inaugural Gala - and boy, was it a sight!

Downtown Juneau's Centennial Hall was a packed house on January 10, and it felt like half of Juneau turned out for the festivities.  And Juneau has never looked so good.  The town rolled out her red carpet for our new Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and their families - and the community danced the night away!

Check out my video below of the first few minutes of the Gala - complete with a rousing intro by the Yees Ku Oo' dancers of Juneau and some wonderful words from Governor Bill Walker.  At the 7:45 minute mark, you'll see Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott (of Tlingit heritage) join the group on the dance floor - a symbolic moment showing pride in his Native culture and solidarity with the Juneau community. 

Hats off to our new leadership team!

The Decor and the Music

Selfies with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor