Join us for a free, family-friendly festival celebrating the currant (Ribes Spp.), a delicious, nutrient-packed berry that thrives in our subarctic climate. Explore education stations, browse information booths, participate in berry taste testing, enjoy live cooking demonstrations, take part in fun family activities, and so much more. Come spend an afternoon at the Georgeson Botanical Garden celebrating these amazing berries!
Our Story
The Far North Currant Festival began with a simple idea—and a shared love for one
of Interior Alaska’s lesser-known fruits. The Georgeson Botanical Garden hosts an
impressive collection of currant (Ribes spp.) cultivars, yet these resilient, flavorful,
and highly nutritious berries remain little recognized and rarely available for purchase.
We created this festival to celebrate a fruit we believe deserves far more attention.
Currants thrive in Alaska’s northern climate, offering vibrant flavor, exceptional
nutrition, and remarkable diversity among cultivars. Despite their potential as a
specialty crop—and their unique and varied flavor profiles—currants are still underappreciated
and relatively unknown. The Festival was born to change that.
Our first gathering in August 2023 drew a surprising amount of interest, and each
year since, we’ve welcomed more attendees and received enthusiastic, thoughtful feedback.
We value that input and strive to expand and improve our offerings each season.
Today, the Far North Currant Festival brings together growers, gardeners, food lovers,
and families to explore everything this resilient fruit has to offer. Our goal is
simple: to promote the consumption, production, and general knowledge of currants
in Alaska and beyond.
Check out our Facebook event here!
Did You Know?
Did you know Alaska is home to six native Ribes species (currants and gooseberries)? In addition to these wild varieties, there are hundreds of cultivated currant varieties that offer a broad spectrum of color and flavor. Many of these cultivars thrive in Alaska and have potential as a specialty or backyard crop in the state. Currants are easy to grow and a nutritious addition to home gardens or as a specialty crop on farms. They are a rich source of antioxidants and vitamins and can be made into wonderful jellies, syrups, pies and baked goods or enjoyed on their own.
Check out our resources to learn more about where you can find currants and what you can do with them.
Trailing black currant (Ribes laxiflorum)
Northern red currant (Ribes triste)
Northern black currant (Ribes hudsonianum)
Stink currant (Ribes bracteosum)
Prickly currant (Ribes lacustre)
Skunk currant (Ribes glandulosum)
Thanks to our sponsors
People’s Endowment Funds