Anchorage Finish Line Festival, Presented by Hilcorp Alaska, LLC

Friday, July 28th, 2023
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5:00 PM
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ChangePoint Church, 6689 ChangePoint Drive Anchorage, AK 99518

Presented By

Join us to help celebrate the completion of the 2023 team’s 70 day journey in Alaska. We have a weekend of festivities planned, all kicking off with our Anchorage Finish Line Festival, Presented by Hilcorp Alaska, LLC.  Join us to cheer the 2023 team across the finish line on Friday, July 28th, enjoy a Mexican food buffet dinner with the team, and help celebrate these student riders and their incredible accomplishments.

Online ticket purchases for the Finish Line Dinner will open Monday, April 6th. There will be a limited number of tickets available at the event for $25/person. We encourage you to buy your tickets in advance.

2023 Finish Line Activities Information – Important Dates & Activities

Meet at Greet, Thursday, July 27th – Time & Location TBD

Family & Friends Meeting, Friday, July 28th, 11AM at Bear Tooth Theater, 1230 W. 27th Ave. –  Strongly Suggested You Attend (you will be sad if you miss it) for family and friends hosted by the Anchorage Texas Exes and led by Cathy Foerster. It is very important that you come to this meeting so that you get all the information you will need for the finish line and the rest of your time in Anchorage.  This will also be an opportunity to make a poster to hold for your rider as the team crosses the Finish Line.

Finish Line and Celebration Dinner, Friday, July 28th, 5pm at ChangePoint Church, 6689 Changepoint Dr. Riders roll across the finish line at 5pm with celebration dinner to start at 6pm. Online ticket purchases have closed. There will be a limited number of tickets available at the event for $25/person.

Timeline of events – Tentative Schedule
5:00pm – Team rolls across the finish line!
5:00pm – 6:00pm – Pictures and media opportunities
6:00pm -8:00pm- – Short program with testimonials from riders and a dinner celebration with the team

Riders, Family, & Friends Lunch, Saturday, July 29th, 10:30am at Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria, 3300 Old Seward Hwy – One last opportunity for riders, family, and friends to gather for lunch and celebrate together. You’ll not want to miss this fun time.  It’s hard to describe but loud laughter, delicious food, priceless camaraderie, and raucous celebration are a few of the thoughts that come to mind.Hotels
Due to increased travel to Alaska and still being in season there in August, we were unable secure a discounted rate this year. The hotels listed below do come recommended from family and friends previous stays in Anchorage.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Anchorage, 600 East Benson Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99503
Home2 Suites by Hilton Anchorage/Midtown, 4700 Union Square Drive, Anchorage, AK 99503
TownPlace Suites Anchorage Midtown, 600 E 32nd Street, Anchorage, AK 99503

ALASKA FUN – Things to do during your visit!

Here are some suggestions for things to see and do while in Anchorage and nearby.

In Anchorage:

  1. Go to the Alaska Zoo to see rescued Alaska wild animals (and a few random animals from other places)
  2. Rent a bike from the Downtown Bike Shop and bike the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
  3. Go to the Anchorage Museum (great museum with lots of cool stuff including a children’s museum, an art section and tons of native history and artifacts) (one of my favorite places)
  4. Hike up Flattop Mountain
  5. On Saturday go to the Saturday market for people-watching and souvenir-purchasing at Diamond Center Mall, 800 E Diamond Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99515, located in the south parking lot
  6. Go to one of the many local breweries for a tasting – some also have good food

South of Anchorage:

  1. Drive to Alyeska ski resort and stop along the way at points of interest.  In Alyeska, take the tram to the top of the mountain or take a hike on the Winner Creek Trail, through the northernmost rainforest in North America to a hand tram that crosses Winner Creek (bring bug dope)
  2. Drive through the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
  3. Pan for gold at Crow Creek Mine
  4. Eat Alaska Cajun food at the Double Musky in Girdwood

North of Anchorage:

  1. Take the short hike to Thunderbird Falls
  2. Drive to Independence Mine and walk around an old abandoned mine

Further afield:

  1. Drive to Whittier and take a 3-hr wildlife-viewing cruise
  2. Drive (or take the train) to Seward, take a fishing charter or wildlife-viewing cruise, and go to the Sealife Center (our state aquarium)
  3. Drive to Homer, take a fishing charter or wildlife-viewing cruise, check out the many art studios and souvenir shops, and buy a drink at the Salty Dog Saloon
  4. Drive (or take the train) to Denali Park.  Go river rafting.  Take the bus all the way into Denali Park and get off along the way to take short hikes or just look around.  (Another bus will be by to pick you back up.)
  5. Take a flight-seeing trip or one of the many other tours available on-line