Long-standing traditions will be mostly the same, including bestowing most honorable titles on different people during Fourth of July events in Juneau and Douglas that begin a few days before the holiday itself.
Consumer fireworks are already on sale daily between noon and 8 p.m. at Smoke Signals Fireworks, located 3.2 miles off Fish Creek Road, through July 3, use subject to official guidelines from the city. The Gastineau Canal’s main public fireworks display, hosted by the Juneau Volunteer Fireworks Team, is scheduled to once again begin during the final minutes of Monday, July 3, and continue past the midnight strike on the 4th. July.
“Voices of Alaska” is the theme of this year’s parade in downtown Juneau, which begins at 11 a.m. at the Alaska Department of Labor building on West Eighth Street. It’s a fitting theme for the four grand marshals.
Perhaps a well-known name among longtime residents is Pete Carran, a television and radio host for decades – notably in Juneau for his many years at KINY-AM – who for some years narrated the Declaration of Independence for broadcast at the start of the parade. . In a biography posted on the website of the Juneau Festival Association, which hosts the parade, he said it was among his few favorite memories of the event over the years.
“My favorite came in 1987, when Juneau honored the survivors of the USS Juneau sunk during World War II in the Pacific,” he wrote. “Besides the five survivors, the ship’s captain’s son and the PBY pilot who disobeyed orders and saved the sailors also participated in this parade. These men were very touched by the outpouring of appreciation shown by Juneau and its residents. They had tears in their eyes. »
“Other favorite parades of mine were the ones that had the Yankee Doodles marching in them. I sponsored the event for several years. My inspiration was my doodle dog Rufus who also doubled as a personality on KINY. We were always voted best pet since we were the only pet most years.
The other grand marshals are Ernestine Saankaláxt Hayes, a Tlingit artist and writer member of the House of Wolves of the Kaagwaantaan clan with more than seven generations of family in Juneau; Alan Young, musician in several bands as well as music teacher who has lived in Juneau since 1999; and Wade Bryson, a member of the Juneau City and Borough Assembly who has lived in Juneau for 26 years.
The grand marshal for the upcoming Douglas parade is Ed Schoenfeld, “musician, crime researcher, social media host, community volunteer, vice chair of the Douglas Advisory Board and retired journalist,” according to the July 4 Committee of Douglas. Notable impacts on Douglas include managing the Facebook group “I Live in Douglas” and composing the song “I Live in Douglas” for his Empty Oil Barrel Band.
Here is a list of holiday events organized by various groups, including the Juneau Festival Association and the Douglas 4th of July Committee:
1st of July
• Decoration of bicycles and decoration of sidewalks with chalkfrom 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., in the Douglas Library parking lot.
Decorate your bike/tricycle/scooter for the parade and sidewalk in front of the library—supplies provided. Sponsored by the Douglas Public Library and the Douglas Fourth of July Committee.
July 2nd
• Independence Day concert3 p.m., Sealaska Heritage Plaza, 105 S. Seward St.
By the Juneau Volunteer Marching Band. Bring your own lawn chair or floor mat.
• Drawing for the Douglas July 4th Community Drawing., 6:30 p.m., Louie’s Douglas Inn. 915 3rd Street
July 3
• Soapbox car show and challenge5 p.m., at the Soapbox Challenge location on St. Ann’s Avenue.
Show begins at 5 p.m., registration, tryouts and challenge at 5:30 p.m. Divisions: 5-6 years, 7-8 years and 9-10 years (training only). Sponsored by the Douglas 4th of July Committee with the help of volunteers from the Juneau Huskies football team.
• Community picnic, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., shelter no. 1, sandy beach, Douglas.
Food and drinks provided. Watermelon eating contest at 6 p.m., sand dollar search at 7 p.m.
• Counter dance before the fireworks7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., St. Ann Parish Hall, 430 5th St.
Annual dance in the barn before the fireworks. Full Circle will play contra dance music and Odette Edgar will call. Beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m., main dance at 8 p.m. Pay however you can, cash at the door (suggested donation: $10/adults, $5/children/seniors/students).
• Fireworks on the Gastineau Canal11:59 p.m.
Although hosting a fireworks display on the night of July 3 may seem strange to some, it is a tradition that dates back to the 1800s. When the Douglas Treadwell Mine was still in operation, the mine only closed at Christmas and July 4th. So, in order to ensure that minors also had the chance to enjoy the fireworks, the show was moved a day earlier, to midnight.
4th July
Free buses will run every 30 minutes between the Federal Building in downtown Juneau and Sayeik: Gastineau Community School in Douglas between noon and 6 p.m. during the day.
• 10th Annual Glenn Frick Memorial Run10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m., The Alaska Club Juneau Downtown, 641 W. Willoughby Ave #210.
Registration at 10 a.m. in the Downton JRC/Alaska Club car park. The race starts at 10:30 a.m. Pay what you can ($15 suggested), $50 prizes to race winners, $100 for a new course record. Juneau-Douglas High School Fundraiser: Yadaa.at Kale Cross Country Ski Team.
• Juneau Parade11 a.m. starts at the Department of Labor building on West 8th Street.
Starting at the Department of Labor building, the Juneau parade will travel through Juneau turning from Egan Drive and West 8th St., down Main Street, turning right onto Front Street before turning onto Franklin Street and back down Egan Drive.
• barbecue sandwiches and homemade pies11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (or until food runs out), 3rd and E streets.
• Sale of hot dogs, noon, in front of the Douglas Fire Station, sponsored by the Douglas Volunteer Fire District. 1016 3rd Street.
• Annual Sandcastle Challenge, Sand beach. 101 Savikko Road.
Registration at noon, low tide (4.0′) at 8:35 a.m. High tide (15.7′) at 3:15 p.m. Awards time 3:30 p.m. For more information, contact Zane Jones (907) 957-7500.
• Douglas Parade1:30 p.m. gathering time, 2 p.m. start of the parade, Sayéik: Gastineau Community School.
The parade will begin at the Sayéik: Gastineau community school and will continue to the city center. The parade will feature classic participants like the Juneau Marching Band, the Juneau-Douglas Shrine Club and a section for children to join the parade.
• Field events, 3:00 p.m., Savikko Park, field no. 1.
10 yard dash (boys/girls ages 2-3), 20 yard dash (boys/girls ages 4-5), 30 yard dash (boys/girls ages 6-8), dash 40 yards (9-10 years old). , mothers, fathers), 60 yard sprint (11-14, all women, all men), 3-legged run (10-12, over 12), sack race (5-7, 8-10, 11- 14, over 14 years old), sack race (child with parent). Sponsored by Jo Betts and the Douglas 4th of July Committee with the help of volunteers from the Juneau Huskies football team.
• Final Soap Box Challenge3 p.m., avenue Sainte-Anne.
Divisions: 5-6 years, 7-8 years and 9-10 years. Sponsored by the Douglas 4th of July Committee with the help of volunteers from the Juneau Huskies football team. For more information, contact David Eckerson at (907) 988-6422.
• Make and break, 4 p.m., in front of the Douglas fire station. 1016 3rd Street.
Old-fashioned firefighter hose racing. Sponsored by the Douglas Volunteer Fire District.
• Alaska Music One presents “Bands on the Beach” 7 p.m.-9 p.m., sandy beach.
Time permits.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.