Memorial Day Picnic

[Oni]

(Eklutna) Memorial Day Picnic ...

The Annual Memorial Day Picnic, Alaska’s largest GLBT gathering, is sponsored again this year by the Imperial Court (ICOAA) and as usual will be at the Picnic Grounds in Eklutna, located 21 miles north of Anchorage’s Glenn Hwy/Muldoon Road interchange. The grounds are open from Noon to 6PM.

What to Bring: Though basic hot dogs/hamburgers and sodas will be offered for sale, you can bring your own food and beverages. There are a few firepits available or use your camp stove. There are a number of tables, many in a large open-air but covered area. Bug dope is a good idea though not usually needed. Wells Fargo says NO ALCOHOL on the premises and, because of the droppings problem, NO PETS.

Activities: The list of “official events” hasn’t been distributed as yet but previous years have included volleyball, softball, egg tosses, high-heel races and other fun games. There are large open fields so bring your frisbees and kites!

Weather: Eklutna is in a “rain shadow”: pay no attention to clouds and/or rain in Anchorage, Eklutna is often drier and sunnier. Showers in Anchorage? Come anyway.

Clothing: appropriate to the day of course but also plan on walking a short dirt road and beach to the edge of Knik Arm. Pretty and includes excellent views to the south, west and north.

Directions: From Anchorage, go north on the Glenn Hwy 21 miles past the Muldoon exit to the Eklutna exit. At the off-ramp’s stop sign, turn left and go west, away from the mountains, across the bridge. Go straight ahead through the tiny village of Eklutna* and cross the Alaska Railroad Tracks. You’ll then see what looks to be a private driveway into the woods. It’s not so take it, ignoring the No Trespassing signs. In a hundred feet you’ll pass through the entrance gate to the Wells Fargo Picnic grounds; the parking lot is another 1/4 mile or so. The gate will close promptly at 6PM so don’t plan on arriving “late”.

* As you pass through Eklutna, on your left is the Eklutna Village Historical Park. It contains a Russian Orthodox Church, museum and cemetery and you can stop and wander around ($5 adults, $3 children). In any case as you pass by be sure to look left and note the many very colorful Burial Houses at each grave site.

[Kritter]

All 3  (Oni, Foxie, and I) of us should go! I am interested in going. 

[Oni]

I plan on goiong. Plus I hear there some adventures we can go on on the way. Like the little village, and the Town of Many Sofa's

[Oni]

Hay  guys. Who all here will be going to the picnic?
Fox, Kritter, and I plan on going. We will be takeing some other people with us, so we will have a full car that day. And its going to be a fun adventure for sure.

[Kritter]

Don't you think it is wiser to not invite others till we are 100% sure we can go at the first place?   

[Oni]

I was not inviting others to ride with us, as our car is already full with people. I was just wondering who all is going.

[Kritter]

Oh I see! LOL, my bad then 

[Oni]

Silly Beaner

[Kritter]

Trix are for kids.  :'(

Damn, kids 

[Oni]

(Eklutna) Memorial Day Picnic ...

The Annual Memorial Day Picnic, Alaska’s largest GLBT gathering, is sponsored again this year by the Imperial Court (ICOAA) and as usual will be at the Picnic Grounds in Eklutna, located 21 miles north of Anchorage’s Glenn Hwy/Muldoon Road interchange. The grounds are open from Noon to 6PM.

What to Bring: Though basic hot dogs/hamburgers and sodas will be offered for sale, you can bring your own food and beverages. There are a few firepits available or use your camp stove. There are a number of tables in a large open-air covered area. Wells Fargo says NO ALCOHOL on the premises. Also, sorry, but because of the droppings problem, NO PETS.

Activities: The list of “official events” hasn’t been distributed as yet but previous years have included volleyball, softball, egg tosses, high-heel races and other fun games. There are large open fields so bring your frisbees and kites!

Weather: Eklutna is in a “rain shadow”: pay no attention to clouds and/or rain in Anchorage, Eklutna is often drier and sunnier. Showers in Anchorage? Come anyway.

Clothing: appropriate to the day of course but also plan on walking a short dirt road and beach to the edge of Knik Arm. Pretty and includes excellent views to the south, west and north.

Directions: From Anchorage, go north on the Glenn Hwy for
21 miles from the Muldoon exit to the Eklutna exit. At the off-ramp’s stop sign, turn left and go west, away from the mountains, across the bridge. Go straight ahead through the tiny village of Eklutna* and cross the Alaska Railroad Tracks. You’ll then see what looks to be a private driveway into the woods. It’s not so take it, ignoring the No Trespassing signs. In a hundred feet you’ll pass through the entrance gate to the Wells Fargo Picnic grounds; the parking lot is another 1/4 mile or so. The gate will close promptly at 6PM so don’t plan on arriving “late”.

* As you pass through Eklutna, on your left is the Eklutna Village Historical Park. It contains a Russian Orthodox Church, museum and cemetery and you can stop and wander around ($5 adults, $3 children). In any case as you pass by be sure to look left and note the many very colorful Burial Houses at each grave site.

[Oni]

That picnic was a great event. There was musiak and games, people galor. I went for a walk down to the water, and kinda lost myself in thoughts of nothingness for a while. It was great to be at a place like that. I will defently have to go again next year.
Oh the water ballons were fun though. Lots of people got wet. The food and the company were delisious...ok the food was, i didnt eat to much of the company. A few tried to eat me though. lol.

[J. The Fuzzy]

I had a good time at the picnic, too.  It was my first time there.  Was really nice seeing some of you guys there.  I ended up seeing a lot of people I knew, and actually introduced people to each other--that made me feel really popular.  I didn't realize that I knew that many people in the community.   I guess I must be getting out and around more than I think I am. 

I wish I'd found the water too--my friend walked down there and said it was nice.

Jeanene 

[lightfoot]

the Eklutna picnic is one of the few gay & lesbian events in Alaska where a not-yet proud homosexual can be free to be himself without (much) judgment. I was there again this year, and saw some freaky looking individuals. 
Our Pridefest on the Delaney Parkstrip later this month is a great way to see friends and make new ones, but not everybody is ready to be 'out' in such a public venue. If only they realized how many straight folks come to our festival too!

[Oni]

Freaky...I do hope you dont mean the ones with the tails do you? hehe.
Ya I cant wait to meet others, and have some fun over the next week. 

[Goman Fox]

Those guys with the tails are weird though...