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

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 wines, and we even provide recipes. If people plan to come, they should make reservations; this event definitely sells out." (For reservation information, please refer to the highlighted box.)

ALASKA'S BIG CITY'S FALL EXPERIENCE

"Fall is great in Anchorage, it's my favorite time of year," said Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau Vice President of Tourism Development and Sales David Kasser. "The fall light is just spectacular. The quality of the air, the colors on the mountain, the sharpness at night--it's a beautiful time of year.

"Plus the rates are really attractive for both residents and independent travelers that seek a more intimate experience than the summer or winter months can provide," added Kasser.

And just like its northern sister Fairbanks, Alaska's largest city's arts and entertainment season kicks into high gear in the fall. This October, as part of its Broadway and Beyond Series, the Anchorage Concert Association presents Cirque Dreams-the latest creation from Cirque Productions that currently has shows in Las Vegas along with international traveling companies that perform all over the world. The show runs Oct. 4 to Oct. 9 at Atwood Concert Hall and showcases the signature style of Cirque Productions that combine sound, music, and the visual arts along with the skills of acrobats, contortionists and aerialists to create performances that are awe-inspiring and artistic.

The Anchorage Concert Association will also present the Paul Taylor Dance Co. (Oct. 21 and Oct. 22) that is celebrating its 50th anniversary by performing in every state in the country. Named the "reigning master of modern dance" by Time Magazine, Paul Taylor has been honored with an Emmy, a MacArthur "Genius" award, and is the recipient of a National Medal of Art award.

And with the largest numbers of hotel rooms and upscale restaurants in the state, visitors and residents alike can take in a top-shelf show, stay at a luxury hotel, eat gourmet meals and enjoy some of the best wildlife viewing and northern lights displays in the world-without the crowds that descend on Anchorage during the summer or winter months.

FALL IN THE RAINFOREST--ALASKA'S PANHANDLE

With two major wildlife festivals and an opportunity to spend time in the capital city after its busy tourist season and before the Alaska Legislature gets to work, the small towns of Southeast Alaska really make the most out of their fall season.

"It's a very relaxing time to visit Juneau, watch for fall colors, and enjoy the city's vibrant arts and humanities programs that include a wonderful symphony and the award-winning Perseverance Theatre along with other theatre companies," said Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO and President Lorene Palmer. "The pace of the city changes dramatically from the hustle-bustle of the cruise ship season and offers a great opportunity to hike, kayak and explore Juneau in the lull between the busy summer months and the winter months that bring Alaska's lawmakers to town--and the rates are more favorable for travelers as well."

To the south of Alaska's capital city, Sitka hosts a week-long celebration of Alaska Day from Oct. 10 to Oct. 18 that commemorates the actual transfer ceremony that occurred when the United States purchased Alaska from the Russians in 1867. Along with the Alaska Day celebration that includes a period costume ball, ceremonies and a parade. Sitka also hosts the annual Sitka Whale-Fest that is in its ninth year of attracting scientists and photographers to observe humpback whales in Sitka Sound.

This year, WhaleFest will take place Nov. 4 though Nov. 6 and offers whale watching tours, seminars, slide shows, and will feature about a dozen speakers from all over the globe that will share their studies and knowledge about the largest of the marine mammal family.

"A large number of people come to town during WhaleFest," said Tyler Eddy of the Eddystone Inn--a waterfront property located a few miles outside of downtown Sitka. "There are cruises, lots of educational programs, and the galleries have special openings during that time. The festival also features photographers that talk about their experiences photographing whales."

"The end of October and the beginning of November seems to attract the most humpback whales to the area," continued Eddy. "Here at the Inn, you can sit in the hot tub or on the deck and listen and watch the whales in front of the bed and breakfast."

While the whales may bring people to Sitka in October and November, according to Eddy, September is also a busy month at the Inn.

"We're usually full in September," said Eddy, whose property offers five rooms in the bed and breakfast and two vacation rentals that have two bedrooms each. "We have writers coming up to finish projects, kayakers who don't want to partake in the summer mayhem, and people who want to enjoy Alaska without all the tourists--without the crowds. It's become a busy time for us."

To the north of Sitka and Juneau, the small town of Haines also hosts a festival that attracts wildlife enthusiasts and photographers to the area in November.

"The American Bald Eagle Festival is in its 11th year," said Dave Olerud of the American Bald Eagle Foundation located in Haines. "People come from great distances to witness this event and some people come year after year-there are quite a few people out there who are quite dedicated to the bald eagle and/or photographing the birds."

The five-day festival, that will take place Nov. 9 to Nov. 13, celebrates the gathering of some 3,000 eagles along a four-mile stretch of the Chilkat River to feed on a late run of salmon by offering guided eagle viewing opportunities, photography workshops, slide shows, wildlife seminars, book presentations and a banquet.

"This area is one of the dynamic stories of the function of nature," explained Olerud. "Due to warmer water, this area has spawning salmon from October to January, so we have eagles out there on the river clear into the New Year. It's an incredible gathering. The actual numbers is predicated by the return of the salmon, but the numbers can reach 4,000 or so."

Along with dedicated bird-watchers and photographers, the American Bald Eagle Festival--like most autumn activities throughout the state--also attracts locals and Alaska residents as well as tourists that heard about the event during the summer months and return in the fall to partake in the festivities.

So whether it's the wildlife, the northern lights, or the combination of art, culture and wilderness that strike your fancy--Alaska can keep you busy this fall--for a fraction of the cost of exploring The Last Frontier during its busy season.

Fall Activities Throughout the State

Fairbanks

Fairbanks Symphony Association 457-5862 www.fairbankssymphony.org

The Tanana Valley Potato Extravaganza Sept. 24 456-1984 festfbks@ptialaska.net

International Dog Sled Symposium Oct. 7 to Oct. 9 457-6874 www.sleddog.org

19th Annual Friendship Day Oct. 15 455-7756 No Web site

For a complete list of fall activities in Fairbanks, please contact the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau at 457-3282 or www.explorefairbanks.com

Anchorage Anchorage Concert Association 272-1471 www.anchorageconcerts.org

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