Kodiak Basics

Kodiak is situated on the northwest tip of Kodiak Island-- "Alaska's Emerald Island," and the state's largest island. The City of Kodiak is the largest city on the island, hosting a population of roughly 6,000 people; an additional 8,000 people live elsewhere on the island. When in Kodiak, think fish--its location in the Gulf of Alaska and the Northern Pacific Ocean place it near some of the richest fishing grounds in the world.

Commercial fishing accounts for about a third of the local economy. Kodiak is home port to Alaska's largest and most diversified fishing fleet, with over 700 commercial fishing vessels. Next comes federal, state and local government services (the Coast Guard's largest facility in the U.S. is on Kodiak), and tourism. During 2010, an estimated 35,000 tourists will make their way to Kodiak, the great majority of whom visit the town on board the Pacific Princess and Holland America's Amsterdam.

Kodiak's residents enjoy generally mild coastal weather patterns, with moderate precipitation (68 inches each year) and occasional high winds. More likely than not, it'll be cloudy or foggy when you visit; the city gets less than 60 clear days each year. The weather can change quickly, so just remember to bring a raincoat and windbreaker wherever you go.

Kodiak's climate is heavily influenced by prevailing marine weather conditions. Freezing weather is rare, and at 68 inches of rain per year, the precipitation is considered to be moderate. Kodiak experiences occasional high winds and frequent cloud cover and fog.

Kodiak is cloudy an average of 306 days per year; expect just 3 or 4 clear days during the summer months of June through September. Measurable amounts of rain takes place on at least 15 days out of every month. The weather in Kodiak can change abruptly, so a good raincoat and windbreaker are a necessity on every day's outing, even if there isn't a cloud in the sky.

On June 21, the longest day of the year, Kodiak receives approximately 20.5 hours of light, with darkness beginning at 12:31 am and ending at 3:48 am. Before and after June 21, each day is about 10 minutes shorter.

In Kodiak, you can download your Kindle newspaper and magazine subscriptions, as well as books and selected blogs, through AT&T's EDGE/GPRS coverage in the city.

Look for the following local festivals, holidays and events taking place in Kodiak in 2012:

• New Year's Day, January 1.


• Russian Christmas and Starring, January 6 to 7. "Starring" is a tradition of the Orthodox Church; it begins on the Eastern Orthodox Christmas eve. A choir follows a large twirling star going to homes of the faithful to sing the joyful news.


• Russian New Year & Masquerade Ball, January 13. A dinner with many varieties of Russian food followed by a masquerade ball with dancing and judging of the costumes. Unmasking takes place at midnight.


• Seward's Day, March 30. Commemorates the signing of the treaty by which the United States bought Alaska from Russia.


• Pillar Mountain Golf Classic, April 1 to 3. A par 70, one-hole golf tournament up the side of the 1,400 foot-high Pillar Mountain.


• Good Friday, April 6.


• Easter Sunday, April 8.


• International Migratory Bird Day, May 12. Guided bird walks, bird identification and observation workshops, and other events marking the return of migratory birds to the Kodiak Island Archipelago.


• Kodiak Crab Festival, May 24 to May 28. A celebration of Spring and the Emerald Isle. Parades, carnival booths and a midway, golf tournament, bicycle and survival suit races, a blessing of the fleet ceremony, concerts and much more.


• Independence Day, July 4. At midnight on July 3, a large fireworks display over Chiniak Bay marks the beginning of Independence Day celebrations. Island communities celebrate with parades and special observance, while in Kodiak the Multi-cultural Committee holds a parade in celebration of the community's diverse mix of races and cultures.


• Bear Country Music Festival, July 13 to 15. An annual musical extravaganza that includes a full spectrum of bluegrass, country, folk, soft rock and Alaskan music. Over fifty bands and musicians from Alaska are slated to perform.


• Kodiak State Fair and Rodeo, September 1 to 3. Both junior and main event rodeos compliment blue ribbon fair exhibits during this fun-filled weekend. Special contests include: bubble gum blowing, pie eating, nail pounding, watermelon seed spitting, and Rodeo Queen Contest.


• Oktoberfest, October 4. Traditional German feast and music.


• Alaska Day, October 18. Anniversary of the formal transfer of the Territory and the raising of the U.S. flag at Sitka in 1867.


• Thanksgiving Day, November 22. A day to give thanks for the things one has at the close of the harvest season.


• Harbor Stars, December 14. A Christmas fleet parade of brightly decorated vessels of all sizes. This annual event is a celebration of the Holiday Season.


• Christmas Day, December 25. The second most important Christian holiday, after Easter.