A season to remember: fall in Alaska: as summer passes, there's still plenty for Alaskans and tourists to do in the beautiful fall shoulder season.

• Author: Pardes, Joan

The long days of summer are over, most of the tourists have sailed, driven or flown south, and Alaska's tourism industry seems to be taking a little break between the busy summer months and the ever-growing winter season that attracts more visitors every year. But while the numbers can't compare to the almost 2 million tourists that visit the state during May through early September, Alaska's fall shoulder season (late September through November) offers both residents and visitors alike an opportunity to check out The Last Frontier without the summer crowds--or prices--before the winter sets in.

FALL IN FAIRBANKS

"Fall tends to be a quieter time for us," said Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau Advertising and Public Relations Manager Karen Lundquist. "The colorful backdrop of fall foliage, the dramatic migration of birds, and the appearance of the northern lights make Fairbanks a perfect weekend getaway or location to hold a meeting or convention. Plus the fishing is still good and it's an excellent time for berry picking."

Along with offering every type of accommodations from camping to four-star hotels, Alaska's most northern urban center also offers world-class restaurants, concerts and festivals that attract hundreds of people throughout the autumn months.

"The Fairbanks Symphony Association performs several concerts in the fall months and the city hosts the International Sled Dog Symposium and Friendship Day that celebrates our cultural diversity and includes performances, dances and food," explained Lundquist.

Due to its northern location, Fairbanks' fall shoulder season is pretty short. "The snow can start by mid-October and by November we're into our winter activities. But the fall is a great time to explore the area without the crowds and experience the Fairbanks that the locals know," said Lundquist. "Plus, it's a great time to see the northern lights."

As for unusual events, Festival Fairbanks (a nonprofit community-service organization) will once again host the Tanana Valley Potato Extravaganza at the Pump House Restaurant and Saloon on Sept. 24. This festival features a six-course gourmet dinner prepared by members of the Midnight Sun Chefs Association and features locally grown potatoes-some 60 varieties of the common spud.

"This will be our fifth year," said Festival Fairbanks Executive Director Michelle Roberts. "We fill the Pump House to capacity. It's an excellent evening that's filled with gourmet food, fantastic...