Spectators watched Sunday evening's fireworks from Campbell Drive near the Nolan Center. The venue for the fireworks was changed from Volunteer Park to a barge in Zimovia Strait due to dry-weather conditions.
Rocco, a Danish farm dog, jumps for a treat from owner Bella Ritchie's hand at the dog show last Saturday.
Dan Powers holds up the fish his son, Maxwell Rocket, 1, "caught" during last Saturday's Tiny Tots Fishing Derby at the float at City Dock.
Matt Norse, right, takes a chocolate pie to the face as Evergreen Elementary principal Ann Hilburn winces at the impact during the Pie-a-Public-Servant fundraiser last Saturday at Volunteer Park. The $301 raised from the event will go toward the school district's music programs, event organizer Ellen Jellum said.
Robert Wiederspohn, left, squares off against his son, Hunter Wiederspohn, during log rolling on Sunday, while sister Mia (right) cheers them on from the dock. Hunter bested his dad in the bout.
An explosion of pink lights up the sky over Wrangell Sunday night during the fireworks display.
Leslie Richard, left, translates into sign language a song her daughter Gracie Richard sings at the Wearable Art and Talent Show on Sunday evening at the Nolan Center.
Shirley Wimberley stands next to her husband's 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray while two enthusiasts look over the 'Vette at the car show Saturday at Volunteer Park. Benn Curtis is only the second owner of the vehicle.
A team in Sunday's canoe races at City Dock try to paddle their way to the finish line after struggling to catch up with the lead. At least two canoes were capsized intentionally by competitors during the friendly races.
Friendly competitions, food tosses, tests of endurance and plenty of fun filled the weekend as hundreds flocked to various Fourth of July events throughout Wrangell.
Tourists, visitors, family and former residents returning home joined locals in watching and participating in the parade, talent show, basketball and many other events from Friday through Monday in celebration of the Fourth.
Despite a change in venue for the fireworks show from Volunteer Park to a barge in Zimovia Strait due to dry weather conditions, all other events were held as planned.
The weekend kicked off Friday with a welcome-home picnic, followed by a 3-on-3 basketball game, which pitted middle school students, high school students and adults against their peers. Kaelene Harrison, Christy Good and Cherrith Young won the women's category, while Jacen Hay, Brett Abrahamson and Sean Gillen won the men's.
At Sunday's log rolling competition, contestants donned life jackets, cork boots and strategies.
Jim Holder returned for his fifth year. "It's balance and it depends on who you're rolling against," Holder said. "If you're rolling against (Robert) Wiederspohn, you're going in."
The trophy went to Rowen Wiederspohn in the men's category. Second place among the men went to Tanner Thomassen. Caitlin Cardinell won first place in the women's competition, second place went to Mia Wiederspohn and Sabrina Smith took third.
At the Pie-a-Public-Servant event Saturday, people lined up to smack school administrators and teachers with chocolate cream and other pies. Combined with the car show, the pie toss raised $301, according to event organizer Ellen Jellum. The funds will benefit the schools' music programs.
On Sunday evening, the festivities continued with the Wearable Art and Talent Show at the Nolan Center. More than 20 people paraded the catwalk and entertained a packed house.
Sunday wrapped up with the crowing of Tyson Messmer as king of the royalty competition. Messmer was the only person to step up for the chamber of commerce raffle ticket sales, which is the main funding source for the following year's Fourth of July events.
Ticket sales were still being tallied as of the Sentinel's deadline on Monday. The raffle winners also will be announced later.
In the disc golf competition on Saturday at Muskeg Meadows, 26 contestants hit the links, which was a large improvement over last year's turnout. Overall, more people came out to this year's events than in the past two pandemic-restricted celebrations.
"It's amazing this year. There have been huge crowds," said Stephanie Cook, president of the chamber of commerce board. "We're getting the 4th of July back to where it's supposed to be."
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