Rondy Outhouse Fun & More!

For Iditarod information visit www.furrondy.net!

Today's show is all about Rondy and we're just scratching the surface. The Outhouse Races, Feb 28th are a highlight for fun and toilet humor! 

Interviews with Bob Maxwell, the creator, shares its history and we visit competitors!

For Outhouse Race information 

Plus, co-host and this year's Lord Trapper, Mike Ford, gives us a Lord Trapper On the Trail update!

Rondy Melodrama!

A decade's old favorite, the Rondy Melodrama features throwing popcorn at the villain and each other, boo-ing, hiss-ing, cheering and packed with ridiculous fun accompanied by harmonious a cappella sounds from the award-winning chorus, Alaska Sound Celebration. Melanie Cross joins us to update us on this year's Melodrama and the wonderful fundraiser it creates.

Check out our fun podcast!

4:00 - 25:50 Melodrama

25:53 - 32:10 Bob Maxwell

33:10 - 39:22 Outhouse Competitors

39:24 - 49:05 Lord Trapper w/Eddie P

Soapy Smith!

Flash back to Feb 14, 2009, when Alaska was celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Alaska Statehood. I was in a play "Soapy Smith" and interviewed actors from it. Plus, the great grandson of Soapy Smith, Jeff Smith, attended the play. He joined us to share more about this notorious character in Skagway. And just how accurate was the play? Well ...

Book Review Time!

Check out our book review section! You'll find gems like these books!

Mr. Whitekeys joins us to share the story behind this outrageous tale and his book, The Voyage of the Alaska Union: Adventure, Danger, Scurvy, Romance. Talk about a fun interview!

For more information visit: https://www.bigalaskashow.com/book-reviews/the-voyage-of-the-alaska-union-adventure-danger-scurvy-romance-by-mr-whitekeys

Author, historian, educator and author, Steve Levi, talks about his book: The Human Face of the Alaska Gold Rush: It Was a Riotous Time With Saints And Scoundrels Living Side By Side.

Steve has a humorous approach to a history that was anything but funny! 

For more information about Steve's book visit:

https://www.bigalaskashow.com/book-reviews/the-human-face-of-the-alaska-gold-rush-by-steve-levi

Lord Trapper on the Trail!

Lord Trapper on the Trail!

Lord and Lady Trapper

Today's show, Mike Ford, alias, Lord Trapper, takes us behind the scenes about the Rondy Royalty with this delightful interview with Kristin George. So, who is Kristin George and the Royalty and the important role they play for the Fur Rondy? Check out this podcast!

Frogcicles!

Our science guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, shows us that it doesn't need to be summer to appreciate the science a wetlands like Potter Marsh produces! Frogs freeze - solid - and live! Gordon explains the process and the benefits to us humans. Always a fun time with Dr. Gordon Snyder!

Kristin george

Folk Festival and Lord Trapper on The Trail!

The Henhouse Prowlers

Meet Henhouse Prowlers! The headliner act for the Anchorage Folk Festival, these guys are world-wide bluegrass ambassadors having visited over 30 countries spreading the love of bluegrass and returning to share the music they learned from other countries. (Henhouse Prowlers website Bluegrass Ambassadors website) Banjo player, Ben Wright, joins AFF Board Members, Marianne See and audio wizard, Lucy "Both Ears" Peckham. 

Check out this packed festival schedule. And check out the fun interview!

Lord Trapper2026 - Mike Ford

Mike Ford, the 2026 Fur Rondy Lord Trapper, gives us an update of his ambassadorial duties this week with Lord Trapper On the Trail!

(time stamp 44:00-50:59)

Check out the full show!

Our 20th Anniversary Show!

Steve Stripling and Mike Ford

Today we celebrate 20 years! Our debut was a harbinger of our being the "longest running mistake-ridden radio show in Alaska's history". The high-tech equipment relied on a simple electrical socket the bar didn't have. The fast-thinking manager herded us into the liquor room that had a table, a landline telephone, and he stacked cases of scotch as chairs for our guests. We made it on time! The details are a little fuzzy but we think the 12 year old scotch became 12 minute scotch and a grand time had by all!

Today's show features clips from over the years at the Polar Bear Jump Off in Seward. 

For 15 years we MCed the jump and recorded the show in front of energetic audiences filled with laughter, tears and love. For one moment the world became one in the All-American City of Seward, AK, united in the fight against cancer. 

Check out the podcast!

Lord Trapper on the Trail!

Mike ford

Co-host Mike Ford is the Fur Rondy's 2026 Lord Trapper! Mike will be making several appearances to activities, events and businesses involved with the Fur Rondy. We're going to follow him on the trail!

Bob Lester

Here we talk with former Lord Trapper and KWHL 106.5 FM host, Bob Lester, who shares advice from a veteran Lord Trapper to a rookie! Check out the fun podcast!

41st Polar Bear Jump Off in Seward, AK!

Get a sneak peak of this weekend's 41st Polar Bear Jump Off with our interview with Senior Development Manager with the American Cancer Society, Annette Vrolyk. For Polar Bear Jump Off information visit https://www.facebook.com/AlaskaPBJ

Join us Saturday, 9:05a-10a AKT, KFQD 103.7 FM / 750 AM, and streamed @www.kfqd.com and podcasts at www.bigalaskashow.com

Sydnie Bahl Iditarod Musher

Sydnie Bahl Iditarod Musher

Sydnie Bahl

Sydnie is attempting her 2nd Iditarod. No snow in 2025 changed the course to go through Fairbanks, making it the longest Iditarod in history and an already tough race tougher. Sydnie gives us a sneak-preview into this year's Iditarod and what it's like running an Iditarod.

Iditarod Coach Vern Halter

Vern Halter

Sydnie's Iditarod coach is retired, long-time musher, Vern Halter. We pull out an interview from 2012 when Vern was training a young man from Brazil, Lujan Marques. Fun interview!

Alex the Roaster

Alex the Roaster

Alex the Roaster helps us with our Big Alaska Show Blend! His character fits ours - fun! Not only is he a coffee roaster, his company Cold Snap Coffee cranks out Bagels!

Check out our fun podcast!