Color the Kuskokwim Brings
Families Together in McGrath
Families from McGrath, Nikolai, and Takotna gather to celebrate health, connection, and the upcoming school year.
Under the late summer sun, more than 60 customer-owners gathered in McGrath for a new community event, the inaugural Color the Kuskokwim Fun Run and Cookout. Families from McGrath, Nikolai, and Takotna came together to celebrate the upcoming school year with a day full of color, laughter, and connection.
Excitement filled the air as participants in white shirts set off from Anderson Park. The route followed the airport runway, wound through the scenic wooded trail, and ended at the McGrath School soccer field, where the celebration continued. Volunteers lined the course, cheering and tossing vibrant bursts of color as runners and walkers passed by.
Community members from McGrath, Nikolai, and Takotna joined together for the first Color the Kuskokwim Fun Run.
At the finish line, families were greeted by the delicious aroma of a community cookout and a wide variety of interactive activities, including a photo booth, beading, bubbles, face paint, a fishpond, and prizes.
Community members shared their deep appreciation for the event, which is typically seen in larger urban hubs like Anchorage. One aunty laughed that her two energetic nephews, "slept really hard" after the day’s excitement, while an Elder expressed immense joy at reconnecting with lifelong friends in McGrath and being part of the lively festivities.
Winding along the airport runway.
Celebrations at the McGrath School soccer field.
By the end of the day, participants were smiling, tired, and covered in beautiful color. The inaugural Color the Kuskokwim was more than just a fun run — it was a vibrant celebration of health, community, and joy. Many left hopeful that it will become an annual tradition along the Kuskokwim River corridor.