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The Nenana Ice Classic, an Alaska lottery, is a major Alaskan event that developed from its gold rush days.
If all those people hadn't been up there with so little to do in winter, this probably would never have been invented. As it was, some workers at the town of Nenana decided to bet on the time the ice was likely to thaw enough to break apart in the Tanana River. The now famous break up of ice in the Tanana River was a major event in remote Alaska villages because it meant water transportation could resume in the spring. The first betting was done in 1917 and has continued throughout the years. Nenana Ice Classic Tripod near Tanana River Bridge Today, Nenana Ice Classic lottery tickets are sold for $2.50 each, in over 200 locations around the state, including many remote Eskimo and Indian villages. If you are not near a ticket location, you can also send them an e-mail with your betting information. The tickets go on sale February 1st each year and sales end on April 5th. You have to bet on the EXACT month, day, hour and minute of the ice breaking up, which is determined by a tripod entrenched in the river ice. For three days near the beginning of March, when ice is between 3 and 5 feet thick on the river, a major community-wide celebration occurs for setting up the tripod. Besides native Alaskan art, handicrafts and presentations, there are numerous indoor as well as outdoor activities. They include such things as a fur hat contest, basketball game, bubble blowing contest, various dancing contests, shooting contests, snow-machine and sled dog racing, plus many other skilled contests and events. On the 2nd day, there is a fireworks display on the Tanana River and the 3rd day is the tripod raising day. The largest pots have been in the $300,000 range and some years many people win, while other years only a few win. If you want to try this lottery yourself, here are a few hints that might help you make your decision. Needed information can be seen on their official website: - The ice has never broken up before April 20th or after May 20th.
- Look at the list of dates and times the ice has broken up in prior years and weather changes in those years.
- Watch the record of the thickness of the ice during the winter as well as temperature changes in the area.
Official Lottery Sign Tower at Nenana The Nenana Ice Classic is run by a non-profit corporation located in Nenana, a town of less than 1000 population. This Alaska lottery, along with other factors that make the area convenient for commerce, has turned the little town of Nenana into quite a thriving community. The proceeds go to numerous community projects and organizations as well as state-wide charitable groups. Hope you win this great Alaska lottery! And if you do, please let me know - I'd like to meet someone who got rich overnight! Contact Information: Nenana Ice Classic, P.O.Box 272, Nenana, Ak 99760, 907-832-5446, classic@mtaonline.net Return to Top of Nenana Ice Classic Page Return To Alaska Attractions Page Return to Tips For Backwoods Alaska Vacations Home Page
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