Uncertain Government Shutdown Threatens Fat Bear Week

The looming government shutdown could potentially affect Fat Bear Week, an annual celebration of wild bears in Alaska's Katmai National Park. During a shutdown, agencies like the National Park Service are not permitted to update websites and social media pages, which would halt the viral park service promotions of Fat Bear Week. However, the voting for Fat Bear Week occurs on an outside platform, so it may not be affected if a shutdown happens. Plans are in place to address the potential impact, but the popularity of the contest online and on social media could lead to disappointment if changes are forced due to a shutdown.