A particular place in history awaits this year’s Fourth of July royalty, as the fundraising competition marks its 75th anniversary.
It began in 1950, when Pat Lewis won with her bake sale earnings, estimated at $405. Over the years, food booths and raffle ticket sales have become the primary fundraisers for those vying for queen or king. It is an intense monthlong June marathon that reaps big rewards for the contestants and the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth of July activities budget.
The chamber is looking for royalty candidates to sign up for this year.
There is always some anxiety waiting to see if anyone is willing to roll up their sleeves, assemble a team and work toward the crown.
“It’s just hard to get anyone to volunteer for anything nowadays,” said Tracey Martin, chamber of commerce executive officer.
As a former candidate and 1981 princess, she was enthusiastic about her experience. “Oh, yeah! It was worth it!” It is an excellent way to contribute to the community, gain project and work experience, earn great money, and is a boost for college and scholarship applications, she said.
The competition is open to anyone over 14, and is not limited to individual high school students, who often are the most likely to run. “It’s open to teams, civic groups, church groups, clubs — even families, “ Martin explained.
There is room at the downtown pavilion (which is the site for the food booths) for up to three competitors, and tent space can be set up if there are more. It is a major undertaking, and it does take a team to coordinate all the elements: food prep, cooking, sales, ticket sales, additional events. No one wants to run out of propane when there are fry bread orders stacking up.
It is a big investment of time and energy, but no one has to make it up as they go along.
Kim Szczatko, part of the chamber’s royalty board, has a binder ready for every entrant, detailing timelines, resources for getting sponsors and supplies, food sales licensing and regulations, state gaming regulations for raffle tickets, sample menus — the works.
Szczatko noted that while sometimes people wait until the last minute to jump into the race, “the earlier an entrant gets started, the better. There’s so much to coordinate ahead of time; the earlier you can put things in place, the more organized you will be.”
Last year’s candidates Alisha Armstrong and Kayla Young raised a record $145,082.
Registration is open through March 15, when the candidates and the 2025 Fourth of July theme will be announced at the chamber’s annual fundraising dinner.
“This is a piece of Wrangell tradition,” said Szczatko. “People remember who won queen or king, lots of times by the year.” The winner will be announced at the July 3 talent show and will serve as one of the judges.
The court rides in the Fourth of July parade and gets to keep crowns and scepters, but the capes are borrowed. “By the way,” Martin said, “we’re missing one of the red velvet capes. Former royalty, please check out your closets, we need it back!”
The annual chamber dinner, sponsored by Alaska Airlines, will be March 15 at 6 p.m. at the Nolan Center. This is the chamber’s major fundraiser of the year. The food will be catered by The Wolf Shack. Tickets are $50 and are available at the chamber office in the Stikine Inn.
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