Daily Sitka Sentinel

‘Old Time Celebration’ to Mark July Fourth

By ARIADNE WILL
Special to the Sentinel
    With the help of Sitka’s younger crowd, Sitka Historical Society plans to mark the Fourth of July with an “Old Time Celebration.”
    The event, which will feature a street dance, food booths, old-time games, and a beer and wine garden, is scheduled Wednesday and Thursday, July 3 and 4.
    Those interested in volunteering or in reserving a food booth should call Hal Spackman at 738-3766. Food booths may be reserved for $150.
    “The Society is hopeful these events will make memories for children while bringing smiles to those who remember Fourth of July games of the past,” Spackman told the Sentinel.
    The games, reminiscent of past events held at the Mt. Edgecumbe Fire Hall, have become fossilized in the memories of longtime Sitkans. While these games have happened before, their prominence in Sitka’s collective memory is dwindling.
    “We haven’t had these games for a long time,” Spackman said. “I think it’s safe to say that some of the simpler times have been lost. Communities coming together for the Fourth of July has been lost.”

Travel writers, Lynn and Cele Seldon get a tour of the Sitka History Museum from Sitka Historical Society Executive Director Hal Spackman Friday. Sitka Historical Society plans to mark the Fourth of July with an “Old Time Celebration.” (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

    Spackman hopes that the revival of these old-fashioned activities will help foster some of those same memories in Sitka’s current youngsters.
    “One of our main ideas was to get people to remember,” Spackman said. “I think that the memories people have of these sorts of things are fond memories, and sometimes I think that we forget about those simple things that make fond memories. I want the younger generation to have those fond memories when this is over.”
    Spackman hopes that the event creates more than fond memories, however.
    “The Sitka Historical Society feels strongly about promoting the enthusiasm for history and past stories,” he said. “As a result, our board thought that it would be a great idea to bring back the old-time flavors of Fourth of July.”
    That “flavor,” which Spackman says includes the activities the Historical Society will be bringing back on July 4, seeks to create new memories for today’s kids that will rekindle community events that have neared obscurity.
    The children’s activities, which will include a greased pole climb, a pie eating contest, and an egg toss, will be held on July 4 and are open to anyone under 18 years of age.
    The event will also feature a demonstration by Sitka Cirque and children’s prizes and games from the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, with First Bank as the event’s contributing sponsor.
    “I hope that people will come out, interact with one another, have a great time, enjoy watching little kids in their games, get some smiles, bring families together, and bring the community together,” Spackman said. “I want people to come and participate.”