A pair of boats fly by a crowded city dock Tuesday during Wrangell's annual boat race – its first such organize competition in a quarter century. Sizable prizes went to contestants in four categories during the afternoon. By popular acclaim, Gary Allen Jr. won the "rooster tail" contest, while official timers ruled that Garrett Miller won the jet boat slalom. Shawn Curley and Curtis Kautz also won in their class categories.
Assisted by Tom Roland (at right, with bottle), Scott McAuliffe competes in the single jack competition during the 2017 Chuck Oliver Logging Show on Tuesday afternoon. Roland came in third, with McAuliffe in second, following John Drossart in first. James Montgomery was named this year's "All-Around Logger" and "Bear of the Woods" for the competition. He took first in the axe throw and axe chop competitions, and came in second in both the power saw bucking and choker-setting competitions.
And they're off! Though lacking the octane of this year's boat races, the annual canoe racing at the city dock put paddlers to the test in several categories on Monday. Six canoes compete in the crowded "River Runners" bracket, with at least one pair getting edged out against a moored boat early on. Winners for the "High Liners" bracket were Charlie Stern and Lindsey (no last name given) for the girls; among "River Runners," Abby and Elizabeth Armstrong took first for the girls, Kellan Eagle and River Guggenbickler for the boys, and Charley Seddon and Kellan Eagle among coed teams. In the "Sea Runners" category, Katie Stevens and Kelsey Leak were first for girls, Tony and Glen for boys, and Bill and Julie for coed. The 50-plus "Lilly Dippers" category had Paula Rak and Mindy take first among women contestants. Five-person teams also took part in the "War Canoe" category. Contestants Ryan, Reven, Kellen, Travis and Mia all were in the winning craft. Three competitors take a close turn during the finals for five year olds in the Big Wheel Races on Saturday. Competitions were held by age group, from as young as three up to adults, and depending on the cohort were subdivided into heats. Originally scheduled to happen at the dockside turnaround, the race was moved instead to the covered court outside of Evergreen Elementary.
Crowned the previous evening, 2017 Queen Charley Seddon and Princess Hailie Davis take part in the Independence Day parade Tuesday morning. Together the pair raised nearly $91,000 over the past month, selling food and soliciting donations from the community. Following the parade, the two joined members of the Chamber of Commerce for this year's ticket pull. Winning the $5,000 grand prize was Mike Klosterman, with the $4,000 ticket belonging to Bill Privett, $3,000 to Drew Inkster, and $2,000 to Seanne Wickman.
The route reflected many aspects of Wrangell's life and culture, from the Alaska Native to bagpipe-playing Scottish, veterans, government agencies, service organizations and church groups.
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