The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition has been a Northwest tradition for over 30 years and now the 2nd Annual Event in Downtown Anchorage is happening on Saturday, December 2nd, 2017. As it originated in the 90's, it brought in groups of carolers and spread them out across city blocks around the square. A few roaming judges listened and selected the finalists, who then performed onstage in a "carol-off". The audience voted for the winners, who could walk away with prizes, their names inscribed on a silver trophy and, of course, some figgy pudding to take home.
Anything goes: costumes, original lyrics, bribes for the audience, Christmas office party skits - even straightforward, no-nonsense caroling.
The Great Figgy Pudding is a fundraiser for Anchorage Fur Rondy and local charities. The caroling teams are expected to raise money. They solicit donations from co-workers, friends or family in a variety of ways before the event. The night of the event, teams will be able to raise additional money by way of crowd donations.
50% of the money raised by each caroling team will go to benefit Anchorage Fur Rondy and the other 50% will go to benefit the charity of choice selected by each team.
This years event will spread groups of carolers throughout Town Square in downtown Anchorage, the top 3 fundraising teams will receive recognition and have a chance to feature their charity of choice along with their fundraising results. The team who raises the most money this year won't actually walk away with any figgy pudding, but they'll still get their names inscribed on the original Figgy Pudding plaque, and will go home with something even sweeter than the English dessert - a $1,000 Dine, Play, and Stay package courtesy of our friends at The Anchorage Downtown Partnership!!
Judges will also be making their way through the carolers to select teams to be judged for Best Choral Performance. The team with Best Choral Performance will have the opportunity for a feature performance at the Great Alaska Talent Competition during Fur Rondy 2018.
Another proud iHeartMedia event
Made possible in part by Anchorage Fur Rondy in conjunction with Anchorage Downtown Partnership
Registration fees
Figgy Pudding - Team Captains Closed
Team Captains must register & pay for team, identify charity and EIN #. You can find most local charity EIN #'s by going to www.pickclickgive.org and search the index for your charity. You can add additional participants when you register or they can join later. Once your team is registered, you will provide your team password to additional participants. Additional participants must then register, enter team password, and join your team.
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$50.00Nov 1 - Dec 10
Figgy Pudding - Join Your Team Closed
Register and select the option to join existing team. Your team captain will provide you with your team password needed to join their team.
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FreeNov 1 - Dec 10
Great Figgy Pudding Q & A
WHAT IS GREAT FIGGY PUDDING?
It's been described as "Mardi Gras Meets Christmas". A caroling contest where the rules are loose, competition is fierce, and signers go head to head on a public stage, all to win Figgy Pudding Bragging Rights, great prizes, and raise money for great local charities.
DO I HAVE TO SING WELL IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE?
Nope! all you have to do to participate is sing. You can be a beginner or an opera singer; it is only important to raise money and have fun. All teams are encouraged to Get Figgy with it: Crazy costumes, design your teams custom sign. Suggested specs (22" x 28" standard posterboard with a 4' sign post designed to be held by a team member) Must contain team name and the charity your team is raising money for. Teams are also encouraged to bring lanterns (LED or battery operated).
HOW DO I RAISE FIGLANTRHOPY MONEY?
Simply ask friends, family, and coworkers to donate to your caroling team. Each team captain will be responsible for submitting funds to the organizing staff. Don't forget to ask your company to match your fundraising! On the day of the competition, you'll have a chance to raise even more money as you sing your hearts out for this good cause.
HOW DOES THE CAROLING COMPETITION WORK?
- Sign up and pay your registration fee. (Remember: the fee increases on December 1st)
- Ask friends, family, businesses, and coworkers for donations online. Organize fund raising events.
- Practice your carols.
- On December 10th, starting at 3pm teams check in at Town Square. Bring any cash or check donations and your custom sign, and collect your donation bucket. At 4:00 pm, go to your designated caroling spot and at 4:30pm begin singing your heart out! Awards will be given out from 6:00pm to 7:00pm at the Town Square Main Stage. Caroling teams are also encouraged to bring lanterns (LED or battery).
WHAT ARE THE FIGGY AWARDS?
FIGLANTHROPY AWARD
The team who raised the MOST will be invited on stage to sing, feature their local charity and their fundraising story, along with recognition for their results. The team will receive a grand prize of $500 to 49th State Brewing Company and $500 cash. As well as bragging rights until next years competition and their team name and charity engraved on the official Figgy plaque.
GET FIGGY WITH IT
Judges will be making their way through the crowd of carolers selecting teams for:
- Most Festive Costume
- Best Choral Performance
The famous Figgy Judges are representatives of Anchorage's community, Anchorage Fur Rondy, and iHeart Media. The top two teams from both the "Most Festive Costume" and the Best Choral Performance" will perform on the main stage in a sing off. The winning team in each category will be recognized along with their charity and fundraising efforts and receive a prize pack courtesy of iHeart Media. The winner of the "Best Choral Performance" will also be featured at the Great Alaska Talent Competition during Fur Rondy 2017.
Event schedule
- Sat, December 10, 2016 3:00 PM - Team Check-In
- Sat, December 10, 2016 4:00 PM - Pre-Event Show with iHeart Media
- Sat, December 10, 2016 4:30 PM - Caroling Teams Compete on the Streets
- Sat, December 10, 2016 6:00 PM - Main-Stage Sing Off and Awards
Contact information
- Event contact
- The Official Figster Hotline
- Phone
- +1 907-743-5139
