This year’s Independence Day festivities are set to start Saturday morning, kicking off five whole days of activities.
Organized by the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce, the celebration is a high mark on the community’s annual calendar, typically drawing in hundreds of visitors. Every year’s observance has a theme, and 2018 will call attention to our shared resources and the opportunities they provide: “Thankful for our Great Land.”
“Which could mean our local land, or our country,” said Cyni Crary, executive director at the Chamber.
A logo capturing that idea was designed by artist Jaynee Fritzinger, with a leaping salmon evoking the colors of the Stars and Stripes. On the theme and commission, Crary explained they were especially topical in light of the season’s low returns estimated for the region’s iconic king salmon population. Another important celebration, Wrangell’s annual king salmon derby, had to be cancelled this year as a result of protective restrictions that were subsequently adopted.
“After we had to cancel the salmon derby, I felt like we really needed to have a theme that represented having gratitude for our natural resources that are being depleted,” said Crary.
Fritzinger’s logo will be featured on the celebration’s shirts and stickers, and the theme will carry over in this year’s parade, set to navigate Front Street on Wednesday morning at 11 a.m.
“One of the judging categories is directly related to the theme,” Crary pointed out.
This year’s parade will be presided over by the Chamber’s citizen of the year, Terry Buness, and will also feature the winner of the ongoing royalty competition. Participating floats are to gather up on Campbell Drive at 9:30 a.m., with the judging to follow at 10 a.m. A variety of other categories will be up for 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes, listed on the Fourth of July schedule. (The full schedule is included in this week’s Sentinel, on pages eight and nine.)
The schedule is a packed one this year, spread over nearly a week due to the Fourth falling on a Wednesday. Scheduling as a result had been a formidable challenge.
“We have to balance the people who are in town and their work schedules, and the people who are flying in on vacation,” said Crary, as well as that of the the scores of volunteers who make the event possible.
For the second year running, the Fourth’s fireworks display will be held late on the evening of July 3, at the city dock. A couple of stray fireworks will be let off ahead of the main display as a way to get people’s attention.
The rescheduled display is a benefit to the Volunteer Fire Department, whose members organize the pyrotechnic show. Putting it together safely is an all-day endeavor, and in past years prevented volunteers from enjoying the parade and other main festivities with their families.
Leading up to the display will be the talent show inside the Nolan Center at 6:30 p.m., the crowning of the 2018 Royal Court, and a street dance at 8:30 p.m. presided over by DJ Alan Raygor.
On the Fourth itself, the parade will be preceded by an Independence Day fun run – or walk, or bike, depending on one’s preference – which originates from the pool at 7:30 a.m. The 2.9-mile route takes participants past the ferry terminal and around the airport loop before ending at the start.
After the parade, winners of this year’s royalty ticket drawing will be pulled outside of the Nolan Center. Cash prizes include sums of $4,000, $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000.
At and surrounding the pavilion on Front Street, a variety of food booths and carnival games will be set up for people’s entertainment, while street games and other activities will hit the streets starting at noon. Over by the city dock, the Chuck Oliver Logging Show will rev up at 1 p.m., followed by the second year of boat races just offshore at 4:30 p.m. The races were resurrected by popular demand last year after a lengthy lull.
Since the fireworks display occurs the previous evening, the Fourth culminates in a community potluck at the city dock turnaround at 7 p.m. Folk are invited to bring their favorite summertime dishes and fireworks of their own. Giant lawn games and music will be included.
“We were looking for something to kind of send off the Fourth of July in a good way,” said Crary.
The event is a big one to put on, and several activities are still looking for volunteers to help. These include the logging show and boat races on Wednesday, as well as the big wheel races at the elementary school set for Sunday at 3 p.m. Those interested in assisting can call the Chamber at 874-3901 for more information.
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