OUR GOLDEN ERA

Golden Days celebrates the history of Fairbanks and the events that helped shape our community. In 1901, E.T. Barnette established a trading post along the Chena River. The following summer, Italian immigrant prospector Felix Pedro discovered paying quantities of gold about 12 miles north of the settlement. News of the July 1902 discovery spread quickly, bringing prospectors to the Tanana Valley and helping transform the small trading post into the growing community of Fairbanks.

Fifty years later, in 1952, Golden Days began as a community celebration honoring Fairbanks’ Gold Rush and pioneer heritage. Held each July near the anniversary of Pedro’s discovery, Golden Days invites residents and visitors to celebrate early Fairbanks through parades, pioneer characters, community gatherings and other festivities. Over the decades, the celebration has grown into one of Fairbanks’ signature summer traditions.

New traditions have become part of Golden Days along the way. In 1985, the Fairbanks Chamber added the Rubber Duckie Race. The first race sent 2,000 rubber ducks down the Chena River; today, 8,000 ducks take part. Together with the Grande Parade, downtown Street Fair and other community events, the race has become one of the traditions generations of Fairbanksans associate with Golden Days.

In 2027, Golden Days celebrates 75 years. Our Golden Era honors the history, people and traditions that have shaped both Golden Days and Fairbanks while celebrating the community that continues to carry them forward.