Entertainment following the 20th annual Great Alaska Craft Beer and Homebrew Festival this weekend includes a “Sudsy Pickle Challenge” obstacle course to be navigated with a pickle in your mouth, and an all-you-can-eat waffle feed.
The pickle challenge, sponsored by the Haines Chamber of Commerce, runs 5-8 p.m. Saturday at the Haines School track.
Chamber board member Brenda Jones said the event is aimed at improving the experience for visitors, who often cram into restaurants immediately after the festival. The competition is a test of agility and has a $5 entry fee. Prizes will be awarded.
Sunday, the Takshanuk Watershed Council’s “Chilkat Forest Investigators” are hosting a waffle feed 8-11 a.m. at the American Bald Eagle Foundation. The $7 fee will go toward field guides and other natural history educational tools.
Resident Mario Benassi leads the group of youngsters, who have helped with a shark necropsy, made informational videos, and set up motion-activated camera traps to observe a range of species.
Brad Ryan, executive director of Takshanuk Watershed Council, said the Chilkat Forest Investigators also are planning to reassemble bones from a killer whale that washed up here.
“They mostly go out and learn about plants, animals, pollution and streams with Mario,” Ryan said. “They seem to love it.”
The group relies on grants and fundraisers, he said.
Takshanuk is seeking more waffle irons for the meal. Call 314-0477 to donate.