Sikfestivalen (White Fish Festival) and other Guovdageaidnu / Kautokeino, Norway Things to Do Tips

Round the end of August, more specifically the weekend after the Fall festival, the Sikfestival - or White Fish Festival - includes fishing competition in the river, white fish dishes, yoik-and-roll concerts, and general socializing.

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A major event is the mid-August Autumn Festival. Not quite as big as the Easter Festival, but it does feature something as dramatic as snow scooter racing on the river. Since snow scooters are rather heavy (built to run on snow, not on water), they must have good speed unless they wish to sink. And the river has many turns. This event has also found its way to the Guinness Book of World Records.

2005 event takes place August 26-27, and concerts will be outdoor at Buletjavre.

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Address: All over town and on the river
Directions: Concerts at Civic Centre, Alfred's and Buletjavre, drag race on the river.
Website: http://www.saami-easterfestival.org/

The Easter Festival is probably the cultural highlight of the year. Every Easter, the festival brings the town to life with reindeer-racing, ski-doo-racing and live music, including the Sámi Grand Prix, which is a Sámi version of the Eurovision Song Contest.

2006 event is set to April 10-17.

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Website: http://www.saami-easterfestival.org/

With its stable and dry climate, and pretty much the correct latitude, Guovdageaidnu is probably THE prime spot for watching the northern lights. Imagine my surprise when I could see the sky covered by this beautiful phenomena when I came out of Alfreds Kro in the beginning of September!

This shot was taken on an ASA 200 film at 20 seconds. I hear that I get it much better with an ASA 1000 film at 1/8th of a second.

The following night, I discovered that all I had to do to see this was look out of my bedroom window.

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Address: Outside. Just look up!

Although "just a church", the church in Kautokeino has become known for its architecture. Truly, it is beautiful.

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Directions: In the middle of everything. You can't miss it.

Approximately in the middle of june every year, the entire village "and then some" take their walking stick and/or bicycles to the annual hike/bicycle run. You register at the start (yes, this costs money), have your card stamped at the end station, and return the card back at the starting point. Hikers go a total of 8 km (4 km each way), bicyclers ride a total of 14 km (7 km each way). There is no time limit beyond everything taking place between 10am and 8pm.

10% of the ticket price goes to charity, while the remaining 90% goes to bicycles that are given out as the main prizes. All participants who complete the trip take part in the draw for the bicycles and other prizes donated by local companies. Consequently, some participants go 2 or even 3 times.

The end stations at 4 and 7 km from the starting point sell coffee, waffles, sodas and hot dogs.

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Phone: (+47) 9540 8821
Directions: Starting point is by the water tanks at the beginning of the road toward Biedjovaggi. The track goes along the road towards Biedjovaggi. Hikers go to the 4 km point, bicyclers go to the 7 km point.