The Chugiak-Eagle River Bear Paw Festival.

• Author: PILKINGTON, STEVE
• Position: Brief Article

An unexpected connection through the Internet will bring new musical seasoning to Eagle River's annual community summer festival thanks to a group of volunteers from Illinois and Wisconsin. They are known as the Crystal Lake Community Band, with origins dating back to the early 1900s, and they are scheduled to spice up numerous events during this month's Bear Paw Festival.

The 15th Annual Bear Paw Festival kicks off July 6 and runs through July 9. Marry Braham, special events coordinator for the Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce, said the Crystal Lake Community Band has about 100 members and has played in Italy, Germany and around the states.

"They're just an outstanding group," Braham said. "They wanted to come to Alaska. They found the Bear Paw Festival on the Internet. They called and offered their services."

Don Ehrensperger, the group's conductor, studied conducting and trumpet with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and has conducted the community band since 1986, a few years after the current band reformed. The band will perform for the festival's Automax Classic Car Show, the Grand Parade on Saturday, give a full performance that night, and also offer their jazz ensemble for the Coca-Cola Swing Dance.

Braham said she is looking forward to an active festival. The event usually brings visitors from Fairbanks, Kenai, Soldotna, as well as some from out of state and all around Southcentral Alaska. A few of the events cost money, but most are free and open to anyone interested.

"We want to keep this family event fun and affordable," she...