Snow Rondi promises fun, fundraising

The annual Snow Rondi, an Anchor Point winter tradition offering fun and festivities for the whole family, is coming up at the end of the month.

Typically sponsored by multiple community organizations, this year the Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce is putting their hand more firmly on the helm for Snow Rondi planning.

“Snow Rondi has historically been a very fun community week of events with tons of participation,” chamber board member and Snow Rondi Chairperson Mcki Needham wrote in an email to Homer News. “The Chamber is hoping to take on more and more responsibility for it over the next few years, and help it continue to be something for the community to brag about!”

In addition to providing some much-needed winter activity and fun, many of the events planned for this year’s Snow Rondi will be pulling double-duty as fundraisers for the community. According to Needham, the funds raised this year are going to be put toward new town signs, planning for Anchor Point’s first annual golf tournament, setting up a scholarship fund, and making the 2025 Snow Rondi “even more spectacular.”

The Anchor Point Snow Rondi Button and Banner Contest, which ended in January, allowed Anchor Point youth from age 0 to eighth grade to submit their original designs to be used for 2024 Snow Rondi buttons, flyers and banners during the festival.

Jade Bernier, 11, won this year’s contest and received a large-scale poster of her design and a $100 cash prize. The chamber received 33 entries for the contest, and the winning design was determined by Anchor Point Snow Rondi Button Committee members including Needham, chamber board president Dawson Slaughter, vice president Erin Jerde, and board member Amanda Jerde.

Buttons are available for sale at the Anchor Point VFW Post 10221, the Anchor Point Senior Center, and VBS Heating in Homer. At $2 apiece, each button will be numbered for a Split the Pot raffle and door prizes to be awarded throughout the festival weekend. According to the chamber Facebook page, all 33 contest submissions will also be on display during Snow Rondi Weekend.

The chamber is accepting both monetary donations and donation items for Snow Rondi and the concurrently planned annual Anchor Point King Salmon Derby and Calcutta. For further details, contact the chamber at 907-235-2600.

Snow Rondi will kick off on Wednesday, Feb. 28 with a “jamboree-style” volleyball tournament held at Chapman School from 5:30-9 p.m. Participants ages 18 and up must register online by Feb. 19 at https://anchorpointchamber.org/vball-entry/. There is a registration fee of $10, and all participating adults must sign a liability waiver.

On Thursday, Feb. 29, join the community for the revived Cabin Fever Variety Show in the Chapman School gym, starting at 6 p.m. Held for the first time since 2018, this family-friendly talent show will showcase instrumental performances, singing, dancing, art and other talents. Performances are open to all community members; applications to enter are available at the Chapman School office and are due by Feb. 15.

On Friday, March 1, head over to the VFW Post 10221 on Milo Fritz Ave for Burger Night, from 5-7 p.m., or check out Bingo Night at the Anchor Point Senior Center across the street from 6:30-9 p.m. Live music will also be held at the Angry Salmon, previously the Anchor River Inn, on Friday evening starting at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 2 ramps up the activity schedule. Fuel up at the senior center’s buffet-style Community Breakfast, available from 8 a.m. to noon. The Community Breakfast was revived on Feb. 3, and will be held at the senior center on the first Saturday of every month. For more details, call 907-235-7786.

The traditional Pinewood Derby will take place at Chapman School on Saturday at 10 a.m. Weigh-in starts at 9:30 a.m. Open to community members of all ages, derby car kits are currently available at Chapman School.

Stick around for the great Snow Rondi parade through Anchor Point, beginning at 1 p.m. Following the parade at 2 p.m. will be kids snowshoe races at Chapman School, and a snowshoe softball tournament beginning at 3 p.m.

The VFW will hold a chowder cook-off on Saturday at noon, a coin hunt beginning at 2 p.m., a darts and shuffleboard tournament at 4 p.m., and a fish fry from 5-7 p.m. The VFW is currently looking for halibut donations for the fish fry. To donate, contact Heidi Adams at 907-399-6025 or drop by the VFW after 3 p.m.

Sunday, March 3 starts off with another Community Breakfast, this time held at the VFW from 8 a.m. to noon.

The highly anticipated Snow Rondi Dog Show, sponsored by the senior center, will take place at Chapman School this year, beginning at 10 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for the biggest dog, smallest dog, best costume, funniest dog, best manners, the dog that looks the most like its owner, most unique dog, and judges’ choice. Entry applications will be open until Friday, Feb. 23, though the show is limited to 30 entries. There is a $5 entry fee; forms are available at the senior center.

A 5K race starting at the recently established Anchor Point Gym is planned for 10 a.m., followed by Snomads 120 rides at Fireweed Meadows golf course at noon. Both the race and snowmachine rides are subject to change in case of weather.

The VFW will also host Bingo at 1:30 p.m., followed by a pool tournament at 3 p.m. A chess tournament open to kids and adults will be held at Chapman School at 1:30 p.m. as well.

“Our small community, anchored in the values of family, honesty, integrity and the dignity of others, takes pride in hosting these events that bring our residents and visitors together,” Needham wrote.

For more information on the scheduled events, visit the Anchor Point Snow Rondi Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/301141719639404/.