Planning nearly complete as Fourth just two weeks away

They can't do anything about the weather, but organizers of Wrangell's Fourth of July events are preparing for the wettest and hoping for the warmest.

They have made room at the covered downtown pavilion for musical groups to perform in the afternoon and evening of the Fourth. The bands need electricity, which doesn't mix very safely with rain, said Tommy Wells, executive director of the chamber of commerce, which organizes the annual holiday celebration in town.

The events start with a golf tournament at Muskeg Meadows on Saturday and Sunday, June 29-30, and run every day through the street dance the night of July 4.

"The schedule has changed about six times every day for the past four days," Wells said June 13. But it's getting close to final.

One holdup as of June 13 was that the chamber still needed sponsors and volunteers to chair three events: The log roll and greased pole on July 2, and the "crazy craft" water races on July 3.

Sponsors also are needed to provide prizes for kids events on July 4, and the Tiny Tot Scrap Fish Derby and Art Clark Scrap Fish Derby on July 1, said Kimberly Szczatko, the chamber's treasurer.

Anyone willing to chair or help sponsor the events can call the chamber office at 907-874-3901.

One event that hasn't changed from past years is the fireworks show, set to start at dusk on July 3. Though the chamber has faced tight finances the past year, the fireworks are in town and will be ready to lift off on schedule, Wells said. Future shows will depend on fundraising this year, he said, since the rockets need to be ordered in advance.

Alisha Armstong and Kayla Young have been busy selling raffle tickets in the annual royalty competition to raise money for the chamber's Fourth of July spending. It's been a few years since two royalty candidates have been selling tickets, giving hope to the chamber's finances.

Other differences in this year's holiday plans include the opportunity for craftspeople, artists, bakers and others in town to show their work during the holiday week at the Nolan Center, and then enter their handiwork in the Southeast Alaska State Fair.

People can bring their homemade goods to the Nolan Center on Thursday, June 27. Local judging will be held June 28, Szczatko said. The items will be on display the week of the Fourth - called the Red, White, Blue Fair - then packed up and shipped to Haines for the Southeast fair July 25-28.

"We haven't had it in a few years," she said of the Red, White, Blue Fair.

The show is open to artwork, sewing, crocheted pieces, quilts, canned foods, baked goods, "anything they would want to send to the state fair," she said, though entering the fair is optional. People can keep their work in Wrangell and decline the fair entry.

Alaska Marine Lines has donated shipping to and from Haines, she said.

The chamber has added a little more free time between holiday week events this year, Szczatko said, so that people have more time to eat and shop while they're downtown.

The prize drawing from the tens of thousands of fundraising raffle tickets sold will be held right after the parade on July 4, same as past years, Szczatko said. What will be different this summer is the location: The winning tickets will be drawn at the downtown pavilion, where Armstrong and Young have been selling lunches and other foods. "It's been their home for a month."

Music on July 4 will be provided by the Petersburg group Kin Folks in the afternoon, and the Wrangell band Shotrock in the evening, Szczatko said.

An addition to the schedule this year will give people an opportunity to see racing boats on dry land. The boat races are scheduled for the afternoon of July 4, but the new event, called "Race Boat Show and Shine," is set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 3 on Campbell Drive.

Another new event this year will be the July 1 remote-controlled boat races in front of the City Dock, starting at 1 p.m.

The dog show on July 3 - always a fun and fur favorite - has been moved to the covered playground near Evergreen Elementary School, away from its usual downtown waterfront location, to spare dogs the noise of the nearby logging events, Szczatko said.

The talent show is planned for the evening of July 3 at the Nolan Center. Organizers are calling for a wide assortment of acts, including music, song, comedy, wearable art, magic - even juggling or most anything else people can perform on stage.

To sign up for the talent show, call or text Bonnie Ritchie at 907-305-1211 or Haley Reeves at 406-262-4360.