Chamber plans for 4-day 4th celebration

Plans are underway for a four-day Fourth of July celebration in Wrangell, with just a few gaps still to fill.

Chairpersons were needed as of Monday for the July 3 Big Wheels races and July 4 parade, said Stephanie Cook, of the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce, which runs the annual festivities.

Food and game vendors still were needed for the ballpark area during the fireworks the evening of July 3, she said.

The fireworks will go off about 11 p.m. July 3, with a couple of warning shots shortly before the first one goes up.

This year’s parade grand marshal and Wrangell’s citizen of the year will be announced before the holiday, Cook said.

In addition to family, friends and other visitors, Wrangell will have a cruise ship in town for some of the weekend. The American Constellation, with capacity for 170 passengers and 60 crew, is scheduled to visit Wrangell the evening of July 2 through 9 p.m. July 3, according to the latest cruise ship schedule posted by the Wrangell Convention and Visitor Bureau.

Though schedule changes are always possible, it looks like the holiday celebration will start late morning July 2 with the annual Art Clark Scrap Fish Derby at the city dock summer float. The derby is open to kids ages 6-13.

A talent show is planned for the evening of July 2 at the Nolan Center.

The July 3 calendar includes target shooting competition in the morning, and at 11 a.m. the Crazy Craft Race — “anything that floats, except a boat” — will cast off at the city dock summer float. Canoe races and the Big Wheel races will conclude the July 3 daytime events, with music, food and games planned to start at 9 p.m. at the covered area near the track before the 11 p.m. fireworks.

July 4 events will start with the Independence Day Fun Run/Walk/Bike at 7 a.m., a community worship service at 9 a.m. at the Wrangell IGA parking lot, and the parade at 11 a.m.

The winning royalty tickets will be drawn after the parade, in front of the Nolan Center, with the rest of the day’s schedule to include Elks Lodge events, toddler games, junior Olympics, street games, egg toss, logging show and boat races.

The full schedule and details will be printed in the June 24 and July 1 editions of the Wrangell Sentinel.