Vera Jannsen celebrating her Queen of the Hill
victory.

Valez, Alaska is a small town. Mostly comprised of fisherman, oil industry workers, natives and a few lower 48 expats that reside there for the grandeur, outdoors and to generally escape the trappings of the rest of America.

Suffice to say this small village isn't exactly a nightlife hotspot. A few dive bars, some eateries - the best cuisine is arguably available at the restaurant in the base of the Comfort Inn.

Travis Rice - sword in the ceiling.

Well, that all changed when Tailgate Alaska arrived. Still high on adrenaline and Red Bull from the King of the Hill contest the day before, on Sunday April 4th, the riders of Tailgate AK and King of the Hill threw an impromptu bash at local watering hole - the Landshark.

Anne-Flore on the dance floor.

After enjoying the awards ceremony where Travis Rice and Vera Jannsen were ceremoniously award the swords and titles of King and Queen, respectively, the entourage of rowdy snowboarders marched across the street, DJ and turntables in tow.

Piling about 90 people into a bar the fire marshall likely capped at 50, with Travis Rice buying $400 worth of beer and shots, let's just say the sole bartender girl was feeling overwhelmed. Travis even offered to hop behind the bar to help out. She wasn't having that.

Bus service in Valdez.

Regardless, everyone got their swerve on and rocked out the dance floor until the wee hours.

Mark Landvik MC'd and even Shawn Farmer, celebrating his 45th birthday, got on the mic for an impromptu performance.

Shawn Farmer rap.

The next morning the owner of the bar, called Tailgate AK co-founder, Mark Sullivan, and said it was the biggest night in the history of the Landshark - go figure.

Point is, when you have the right people, in the right place, at the right time, even a sleepy fishing village a 1,000 miles from nowhere can be the best spot to be in the world.

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