Photos: Kotzebue celebrates Qatnut and the Fourth of July

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Kotzebue mayor Reggie Joule gives advice to a first-timer on the blanket toss at the Qatnut 2015 cultural celebration and Fourth of July events held July 1-5, 2015, in Kotzebue.

Kotzebue held its annual Independence Day celebration this past weekend. The holiday coincided with the Qatnut festival, Kotzebue's traditional trade fair, which went on from July 1st through the 5th, 2015. Qatnut 2015 featured a variety of events and activities. Dance groups performed several times throughout the week. Traditional foods appeared in competitions and at a community potluck. Other competitions included footraces, animal calling, tug of war, Eskimo games, muktuk eating, lip syncing, qayak races, fur fashion, and more. The Fourth of July was also celebrated with a parade and lots of food and activity at the fairgrounds. Celebrations wound down Sunday with a snowmachine water-skipping show, a walk for life, singing and softball.