Summer solstice celebrated in far North

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The tilt of the earth's rotational axis gives us our seasons. One day in December and the other day in June, the earth's axis is tilted most directly away from the sun or toward the sun. On June 21 in most communities in the North, the north pole is pointed toward the sun. People in the northern hemisphere will then experience the longest day of the year and the shortest night. The day is often called summer solstice.

In Anchorage, Ala. the winters are long, so people there feel compelled to celebrate the solstice with games, food, music and family fun. On that day there are 19 hours and 21 minutes of daylight to celebrate.

Events often begin the week before the solstice. The Summer Solstice Festival June 20 and 21, held in the downtown area of Anchorage, is one of the many events held at the celebrations.

"We have up-hill runs and strenuous hill runs during that time. The only thing you won't see at the festivities are fireworks," said Betty Crewes, who is a volunteer with the Anchorage Visitor Center. She said there is camping, parades, barbecues, pony rides and a variety of entertainment.

"One of the most popular races around here, the Midnight Sun Marathon Race, will take place again this year. It is a 10 km and a 5 km run," she said.

In Yellowknife, often referred to as the land of the midnight sun, after surviving another long cold winter the city gets ready to celebrate Raven Mad Daze on June 16.

"Raven Mad Daze is a street festival that is held annually in Yellowknife. It is usually held the Friday the closest to summer solstice," said Carol Van Tighem, the project co-ordinator for Raven Mad Daze 2000. "Several types of activities for children and adults happen during this time. Street vendors sell t-shirts and other things and stores stay open until 12 midnight. Thousands of people attend," she said.

While some communities celebrate the longest day of the year with extravagant celebrations others take advantage of the longest day of the year to walk.

In Iqaluit on June 18 some community members will be celebrating the longest day of the year with the fourth annual 10 km Volksmarch.

"We always do this walk on the longest day of the year because here in Iqaluit it can be kind of cold on other times of the year," said John Maurice, president of the Volkssport Club. "A lot of times people do not get out and go for long walks. The snow is gone on that day and you do not have to trudge through the snow and get your feet cold or wet and stuff like that. This is how we are celebrating the longest day of the year," he said.