Daily Sitka Sentinel

Alaska Day Festival Winding Up in Style

By Sentinel Staff
    The Alaska Day Festival is in full swing, with the number of events – and excitement – continuing to build to the holiday on Saturday.

Cast of the melodrama “Paris of the Pacific” wrap up their performance Wednesday at Centennial Hall. The play was one of many Alaska Day Festival events this week. Tonight the 9th Army Band takes the stage at Centennial Hall for a concert of varied musical styles. (Sentinel Photo)

    The theme for this year’s week-long event is “65 Years of Alaska Day Festivals.” While some events – the re-enactment ceremony, the Alaska Day Ball and parade down Lincoln Street – take place year after year, there are always some additions to the already busy schedule.
    Among new events on the calendar are a fireworks display, weather permitting, set for 7 p.m. Saturday in Jamestown Bay; horseback rides Friday and Saturday; and a Scrabble tournament on Sunday. None of these are official Alaska Day Festival events, but are on the schedule.
    Because the holiday falls on a Saturday, Friday is the official state holiday, and state offices will be closed.
    The weather forecast on Friday calls for mostly cloudy skies with a 30 percent chance of rain after noon. On Alaska Day, the weather service is forecasting a 100 percent chance of rain and a high temperature of 53 degrees.
    The schedule is as follows:
Today
    6 to 6:45 p.m. – Historical Street Magic Show by David Odette at Sitka Historical Society and Museum. Free.
    7 p.m. – 9th Army Band Concert. At Centennial Hall. Free.
Friday, October 17
    9 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Food booths and other sales by non-profit service organizations at Crescent Harbor Shelter area.
    3:30 p.m. till dark – Horseback rides on Frank Vilandre ballfield. Donations are accepted.
    7 p.m. – Alaska Day Ball seating opens. Music by ensembles from 9th Army Band. Period costume promenade and Native regalia display at 9:30 p.m. Costume awards. Appearance by historical magician David Odette and Seattle Firefighters Pipe Band. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres by Sitka Emblem Club. Cash bar. Photography service. Adults over 21 only. Period dress, regalia or semi-formal. Centennial Hall. Admission $25.

Saturday, October 18, Alaska Day
    8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Sitka National Historical Park’s Community Art Project at visitor center to share writings or drawings about the impacts and people’s feelings regarding Alaska Day commemoration.
    9 a.m. – Sitka Sound Science Center ribbon-cutting. Building tours. Refreshments. 834 Lincoln St.
    9 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Food booths and other sales by non-profit service organizations at Crescent Harbor Shelter area.
    10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Russian Bishop’s House open house. Explore the upstairs restored residence and chapel. National Park Service rangers provide short interpretive talks about this historic structure, its artifacts, the people who resided there, and its historic and cultural significance. No fee.
    10 a.m. to noon – Russian tea service at Russian Bishop’s House.
    11 a.m. – Military Memorial Service by U.S. Army Chaplain at Sitka National Cemetery. Representation by all Military Services. Bugles and drums by 9th Army Band. Fly-over by U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka.
    11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Pie sale, community fellowship, and silent auction bidding on quilts and handiwork. Sitka Lutheran Church, 224 Lincoln St.
    11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Luncheon with fish pie (salmon or halibut), clam chowder, salad and dessert. $12. At St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral.
    11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Open house at Sitka Fire Hall hosted by SFD Volunteers. Greet members of Seattle Firefighters Pipe Band. Contact Cathy Watson, 738-6875 or 747-3233
    11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Chili cook-off and feed. $5. St. Gregory Catholic Church on Lincoln Street. Benefit for youth travel.
    12:30 p.m. – Line up for parade along Lake Street
    1:30 p.m. – Parade of bands, military and civilian marching units, decorated vehicles, classic cars, costumed individuals, from Swan Lake to Lincoln Street to Totem Square. Fly-over by U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka.
    Immediately following parade – Transfer Ceremony 1867 Commemoration on Castle Hill. Lowering of Russian Flag and raising of American Flag. Roll Call of States as admitted to the Union, with Army salutes. Raising of Alaska Flag. Ceremonial music by 9th Army Band quintet.
    Immediately following Re-enactment Ceremony – Air-sea Rescue Demonstration by U.S. Coast Guard Air Station and Coast Guard Auxiliary. Near O’Connell Bridge visitors facility.
    Following the parade – Horseback rides on Vilandre field
    2 to 4 p.m. – Sitka Pioneers Home Open House. Entertainment, refreshments.
    2 to 5 p.m. – Open house at Brave Heart Volunteers (home visiting and respite care services). Information offered. Chowder, bread, and dessert sold as fundraiser. At Manager’s House next to Sitka Pioneers Home.
    2:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Children’s historic games at Russian Bishop’s House with park rangers. Free.
    4 to 6 p.m. – Festival Community Barn Dance with mixers, circles and contra dances. Listeners welcome. All ages. Live music by Sitka’s Fishing for Cats Band. Beginners or seasoned dancers. Alaska Day costuming invited. Free admission; donations benefit Alaska Day Festival. At Centennial Hall.
    5 p.m. – Roller derby with Sitka Sound Slayers vs. Wrangell Garnet Grit Betties. Hames Center.
    6:30 p.m. – Auction of donated services to benefit local breast cancer awareness/Cancer Survivors Society. At Pioneer Bar on Katlian Street.
    7 p.m. – Fireworks in Jamestown Bay area (weather permitting).

Sunday, October 19
    9 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Food booths and other sales by non-profit service organizations at Crescent Harbor Shelter area.
    2 to 6 p.m. – Island Institute Scrabble Tournament. Bayview Pub. 747-3794.