With spring in Alaska comes a number of fun runs, charity walks and other noble athletic endeavors – none hosted better than the Alaska Visitor Industry Charity Walk, affectionately dubbed the “Graze to Raise.”

The tourism industry knows hospitality and knows how to throw a party and the Visitor Industry Charity Walk is no exception. In fact, it’s the tourism industry’s opportunity to thank the community while showing off a bit.

The 4-kilometer walk through Fairbanks is the perfect fundraiser for local non-profits as the participants get to select which charity will receive 100 percent of the funds their team raises. This while grazing through a 4-kilometer course of food vendor pit stops, including one  hosted by the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. Last year Princess served up more than 300 freshly baked cookies to hardworking participants.

With walks hosted in Fairbanks and Anchorage, the tourism industry has been able to contribute more than $1 million through this event over the past 10 years. Tourism is the state’s second largest industry, employing more than 30,000 people and Princess is proud to play a part.

In every way, we are part of this and many other communities throughout Alaska. There is still time to join us at the walk. Find more information at www.AlaskaCharityWalk.org and watch for photos from the event on our Facebook page.

“Seen Around Town” is a blog series that highlights some of the many ways Princess Tours gets involved in Alaska communities.