July Calendar.

1 Friday Night at the Zoo Live music on the coffee shop lawn and extended zoo hours, beginning at 7 p.m. For more information, call 346-2133 or visit www.alaskazoo.org.

1 Music in the Park: Terry Holder This free concert brings Anchorage together for lunch. Located at Peratrovich Park, Fourth Avenue and E Street. For more information, call 279-5650 or visit www.anchoragedowntown.org.

4 July 4 Celebration Celebrate America's birthday on July 4th in true Alaska style. Daylong activities feature a combination of patriotic celebrations, cultural showcases, a parade, picnic and family activities. Delaney Park Strip from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, phone [phone].

6-7 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) Current and former national dignitaries will be participating, including former President Jimmy Carter, who will speak during the conference. Exciting entertainment, celebrations, kids activities and more will be a part of this extraordinary conference, held at the Hilton Anchorage. For more information, phone [phone] or visit www.akcf.org/ANILCA.htm.

15 Music in the Park: Alaska Big Band (9th Army Band. Fairbanks) These free concerts bring Anchorage together for lunch. Located at Peratrovich Park, Fourth Avenue and E Street For more information, call 279-5650 or visit www.anchoragedowntown.org.

16 Alaska Oceans Festival This festival provides an enjoyable opportunity for Alaskans from all walks of life to celebrate together the wonders of the ocean. Music, speakers, educational activities, great food and fun for all ages. Located at the west end of the Delaney Park Strip, from noon to 10 p.m. For more information, call 929-9375 or visit www.alaskaoceansfestival.org.

23 Annual Governor's Picnic Family style picnic hosted by the governor. Features free food, fun and entertainment. Located at Delaney Park Strip from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, call 278-3250 or visit www.gov.state.ak.us.

ANCHOR POINT

4 Fourth of July Celebration Duck and raft races, parade and a community picnic. For more information, call 235-2600.

CHUGIAK/EAGLE RIVER

3 Fourth of July Celebration Lions Park in Eagle River at 6 p.m. with fireworks at midnight. For more information, call 694-4702.

4 Fourth of July Parade Starts at 2 p.m. in front of the Chugiak Fire Department and ends at the Chugiak Senior Center.

13-17 Bear Paw Festival Family event to celebrate the community and share the bountiful beauty of the area. Features a 5k fun run, Slippery Salmon Olympics, carnival rides, crafts, Teddy Bear Picnic and The Grand Parade. For more information, call 694-4702.

CORDOVA

4 Fourth of July Community Picnic and Lake Eyak Boat Race Contact Prince Williams Sound Science Center at 424-5800, ext. 223 for more details.

6-7,9, 18-22, 25-29 Prince Williams Sound Science Center-Children's Science Camp Contact Prince Williams Sound Science Center at 424-5800, ext. 223 for more details.

11-16 4H Bluegrass Music Camp E-mail [e-mail] or contact Kristin Kokborg at: 424-3535 or for details.

30-31 Salmon Jam Music Festival Contact Prince Williams Sound Science Center at 424-5800, ext. 223 for more details.

FAIRBANKS

1 North Pole Summer Food, information and vendor bazaar opens at 10 a.m. with local entertainment, carnival, parade, barbecue, ice cream and other activities. Located at Santa Claus House. For more information, call 488-2242 or e-mail [e-mail]

4 July Fourth Celebration at Pioneer Park Community celebration including food, family activities, craft bazaar, entertainment military colors ceremony, Air Force fly-over, and much more. Phone [phone], visit www.co.fairbanks.ak.us/parks&rec/pioneerpark for more information or e-mail [e-mail].

10 Fifth Annual Mutt March The Mutt March is an annual event recognizing the mixed-breed dog. Dogs of all breeds are invited to the party. Registration is at 11:30 a.m. and the march is from noon to 4 p.m. Food and drink concession, educational booths, a photography booth and face painters and more. For more information, contact Mary Ann Fortune at 452-2081 or e-mail [e-mail].

17-31 Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival Guest artists offer workshops and master classes in music, dance, theatre, figure skating and visual arts. For more information, call 474-8869.

20-24 Golden Days Largest parade in Alaska, historic reenactments, river regatta, beer festival, music, costumes and the Rubber Duckie Race. For more information, call 452-1105.

GIRDWOOD

1-3 Girdwood Forest Fair This annual event features Alaskan artists, musicians, singers and dancers, hand-crafted items and exotic foods-all set in the forest along Glacier Creek. Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.girdwoodforestfair.com or call 566-3039.

2 Alyeska 5k Fun Run Kicking off the Girdwood Forest Fair, this all-ages walking and running race winds along the Girdwood bike path. Starts at Alyeska Resort at 9 a.m. Visit www.alyeskaresort.com for more information, or phone [phone].

16 Crow Pass Crossing-Chugach Mountains A 24-mile race from Girdwood to Eagle River along Crow Pass Trail showcases Alaska's spectacular scenery with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Participants will meet at Crow Pass Trailhead at 6 a.m. and the race begins at 7 a.m. For more information, call 786-1325.

HAINES

4 Independence Day Celebration Mount Ripinsky run, parade, barbecue, soap box derby races, kids' fishing derby, pie-eating contest and more. For more information, call 766-2202.

27-31 Southeast Alaska State Fair and Bald Eagle Music Festival Five fun-filled days; includes a parade, exhibits, logging show, live music, food and daily entertainment. Contact: Southeast Alaska State Fair Office at 766-2476 or e-mail [e-mail].

HOMER

4 Fourth of July Parade and Community Independence Day weekend activities and community parade. For more information, call 235-7740.

4 First Annual Homer Halibut Tournament One-day high-stakes fishing extravaganza; big cash prizes. Fishing times are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a $100 entry fee. Contact Homer Chamber of Commerce at 235-7740 for additional information.

JUNEAU

3-4 Fourth of July Celebration Begins at midnight on July 3, with gala fireworks presentation downtown, over Gastineau Channel. Events, parades, sand-castle building contest, dog-frisbee contest and more. 364-3346.

6 Midsummer Night 10k and 1-Mile Runs Distances: 1-mile or 10k race. Starts at False Outer Point parking area. For more information, call 586-5767.

KODIAK

3-4 Independence Day Celebrations At midnight on July 3, a large fireworks display over Chiniak Bay marks the beginning of Independence Day celebrations. Island communities celebrate with parades and special observance. In Kodiak, the multi-cultural committee holds a parade in celebration of the community's diverse mix of races and cultures. Contact Kodiak City Clerk at 486-8636 for more information.

4 Second Annual KWRCC Steppin' Up & Steppin' Out Proceeds go to the Kodiak Women's Resource and Crisis Center. Registration for the 5k walk/run begins at 9 a.m. in front of Mili Bay Coffee, proceed to Miller Point at Fort Abercrombie and back to Mili Bay Coffee. Participants raise their own registration fee--minimum $10. Prizes awarded to top three individuals who raise the most in donations. Anyone under 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. All dogs must be leashed. For more information, contact 486-6171 or 481-2869.

15-16 Bear Country Music Festival An annual musical extravaganza that includes a full spectrum of bluegrass, country, folk, soft rock and Alaskan music. More than 50 bands and musicians from Alaska are slated to perform. Camp out and jam at the campfires. For more information, contact Kodiak Lions Club 486-6117.

31 Second Annual Salmonberry Festival Noon to 6 p.m., located at Kodiak Island Winery, Mile 36.4 on the Chiniak Highway. Tents set up for crafts and food vendors, live music. Bring your berry creations for judging and prizes, kids' contests, including fish throwing. Free entry. Call 486-4848 for information and to reserve booth space (free, bring your own table).

NOME

4 Anvil Mountain Run A 17k run to the top of Anvil Mountain (elevation 1,100 feet) and back down again. The course must be completed within five hours with the return path being down the face of the mountain. All finishers receive a certificate. Trophies are given to the overall winner, first woman and winner in the "50 years and older" category. For more information, contact Leo Rasmussen, P.O. box 2, Nome, AK 99762 or phone [phone].

20 Poor Man's Paradise Nome Centennial Event, old-fashioned gold-mining skills will be featured in this gold-panning contest sponsored by Gold Prospectors of America and Rasmussen's Music Mart. Each contestant receives pay-dirt containing the same amount of gold. The winner pans all the gold in the shortest time. Contest held on East Beach. For more information, contact Leo Rasmussen, P.O. box 2, Nome, AK 99762 or phone [phone].

NORTH POLE

9 Flint Hills Resources 121h Santa Claus Hall Interior Alaska's premier half-marathon. Run on road, dirt trails and bike paths. Awards and free barbecue for runners and volunteers following the race. Visit www.runningclubnorth.org/rcn_mcup.htm or call 488-2741 for more information.

PALMER

15 Palmer Pride Picnic Free picnic hosted by Palmer businesses. Food, fun, music and awards. For more information, call 745-2880.

SELDOVIA

4 Fourth of July Old-fashioned Fourth of July Celebration. Parade, games, 5K race, food booths, etc. 234-7525.

SEWARD

2-4 Fourth of July Festival Festivities include the Mount Marathon Race, a mini Mount Marathon for kids, games, parade, fireworks and many other activities. For more information, call 224-8051.

SITKA

2-4 Fourth of July Celebrated A grand celebration complete with parade, demonstrations, game, food booths, softball tournament, dance and fireworks display. For more information, contact Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce at 747-8604, or e-mail [e-mail].

24-30 The Island Institute's 21st Sitka Symposium The theme is taken from a remarkable book by J. Edward Chamberlin: "If This is Your Land, Where are Your Stories?" The symposium will bring together an international group (five countries) of writers, storytellers, linguists, anthropologists and others for a week-long series of conversations centered on stories-those essential narratives that give shape and meaning to our sense of ourselves as individuals, cultures and nations. Anyone interested is encouraged to enroll for the full week's activities or come to particular sessions. For more information, call 747-3794.

SKAGWAY

2-4 International Softball Tournament Annual softball tournament with teams from Alaska and Canada competing. Three days of solid, fun-filled games. For more information, call 983-3021.

4 Independence Day July 4th celebrations have been history-making since Soapy Smith rode at the head of Skagway's first parade in 1889. An old-fashioned family fun day with races, contests and events for all to enjoy. Events include slow bike race, pie-eating contest, horseshoe tournament, tug of war and tons of good contests. For more information, call 983-1898.

4 Ducky Derby One thousand little plastic duckies race to a finish line over a route that includes passing through two culverts and under railroad tracks. The ducks are always in danger of getting caught in the trees lining the bank and the water-loving dogs that pursue them. Purchase a ticket for your duck and then be close to cheer it on. For more information, call 983-1898.

8 Soapy Smith's Wake The con man of Skagway's Gold Rush Days is toasted at an annual ritual started by Soapy's grandkids and the Days of '98 Show cast in the mid-1970s. No guns allowed! For more information, call 983-2234.

TALKEETNA

8-10 Talkeetna Moose Dropping Festival Includes Mountain Mother contest, parade, booths, entertainment and the famous moose nugget toss game. For more information, call 733-2487.

UNALASKA/DUTCH HARBOR

4 Fourth of July Parade Parade will be in downtown Unataska, with a barbecue, a softball tournament at the new field, and a carnival at Carls. For more information, call 581-1297.

VALDEZ

4 Annual Fourth of July Festival Downtown Street Festival with music food activities and entertainment. Contact City of Valdez at 835-4313 for more information.

9 Fireweed 400 and the Great Alaska Double Century Fireweed 400 is a 400-mile race from Sheep Mountain to Valdez and back. Solo, two-person relay, four-person relay; tandems: one or two bikes with two or four riders. Great Alaska Double Century is a 200-mile race from Sheep Mountain to Valdez one-way. Solo, two-person relay, four-person relay; tandems: one or two bikes with two or four riders. Great Alaska Century 100-mile race from Sheep Mountain out-and-back. Solo and one-bike, two-person tandems and Great Alaska half-century 50-mile race from Sheep Mountain out-and-back. Solo and one-bike, two-person tandems. There are no relays for this race. For more details, visit www.fireweed400.com.

30-9/4 Silver Salmon Derby, 53rd Annual Fish Derby The oldest fish derby in Alaska. Weigh in until Sept. 4, 2005, 12 p.m. The halibut and salmon derby will award more than $80,000 in cash and prizes. Visit www.valdezfishderbies.com or contact 255-4727, fax [phone] for more information.