Fairbanks celebrates summer solstice.

• Author: Pounds, Nancy
• Position: TRAVEL - Midnight Sun Festival - Brief article

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Alaskans at this year's Midnight Sun Festival in Fairbanks are sure to be lively after weathering spells of forty-below temperatures last winter. The festival, set for Sunday, June 24, runs from noon to midnight in downtown Fairbanks.

The Downtown Association of Fairbanks coordinates the event, which marks its 31st year.

"The event is a community celebration surrounding the longest day of the year and the return of the sun," says Kara Nash, events and marketing director for the Downtown Association of Fairbanks. "It is important to celebrate what makes Fairbanks so unique, and with 24-hour sunlight, it's hard not to have a party."

Organizers close four streets to vehicle traffic, and the area is transformed into a street fair featuring music, food and activities. According to Nash, the event began as a summer solstice furniture sale and expanded in...