Juneau is throwing a youthful 248th birthday party for the country, with just-graduated local high school students as grand marshals in the downtown Fourth of July Parade on Thursday morning before the traditional kids-oriented parade soon afterward in Douglas.
The theme of this year’s downtown parade is “Juneau Youth Soaring Into The Future,” according to the Juneau Festival Association that hosts the event.
“We hope to unite students and communities throughout Juneau in positivity and patriotism,” the organization states on its website. “These students, selected by their schools, are those that have shown exemplary character, are leaders in their school and communities and are excited to be a part of celebrating our Nation’s Independence Day.”
The grand marshals for the downtown parade beginning at 11 a.m. are Mackenzie Lam, valedictorian of the final class at Thunder Mountain High School before it was converted to a middle school; Kyra Wood, president of the Crimson Chronicle newspaper at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé; and Alexis Juergens, a Raven Homeschool graduate serving as the cadet commander of the local Civil Air Patrol Squadron which is leading the color guard for the parade.
Serving as grand marshal of the Douglas Parade scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. is Molly McCormick, a third-generation Douglas resident who recently retired from the Juneau School District after 30 years. She also has served as a member and president of the Douglas Fourth of July committee for more than 25 years, and is a board member of Cancer Connection and involved in several other local organizations.
The following is a list of holiday events by organizations including the Juneau Festival Association and the Douglas 4th of July Committee:
July 3
• Soapbox Car Show and Challenge, 5-8 p.m., at the Soapbox Challenge site on St. Ann’s Avenue.
Show begins at 5 p.m., registration, trials and challenge at 5:30 p.m. Divisions: ages 5-6, 7-8, and 9-10 (practice only). Sponsored by the Douglas 4th of July Committee.
• Community Picnic, 6-8 p.m., shelter no. 1, Sandy Beach, Douglas.
Food and drinks provided. Watermelon eating contest at 6 p.m., sand dollar search at 7 p.m.
• Fourth of July Musical Celebration, 7-10 p.m., Sealaska Heritage Arts Plaza.
The Juneau Volunteer Marching Band will host an evening of concert band music before the fireworks begin. Listeners are advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for the ground.
• Pre-Fireworks Contra Dance, 7:30-11 p.m., St. Ann’s Parish Hall, 430 5th St.
Annual pre-fireworks barn dance. Beginner’s lesson at 7:30 p.m., main dance begins at 8 p.m. Pay as you can, cash at the door (suggested donation: $10/adults, $5/kids/seniors/students).
• Fireworks over Gastineau Channel, 11:59 p.m.
Though having the fireworks show the night of July 3 might seem odd to some, it’s been a tradition dating back to the 1800s. When the Douglas Treadwell Mine was still in operation, the mine only shut down on Christmas and the Fourth of July. So, in order to make sure miners also had the chance to enjoy the fireworks too, the show was moved a day earlier at midnight.
July 4
Free buses will operate every 30 minutes between the Federal Building in downtown Juneau and Sayeik: Gastineau Community School in Douglas between noon and 6 p.m. during the day.
• 11th Annual Glenn Frick Memorial Mile, 10:30-11:00 a.m., The Alaska Club Juneau Downtown, 641 W. Willoughby Ave #210. Registration fee is a donation of the participant’s choosing.
• Juneau Parade, 11 a.m., starts at the Department of Labor Building on West 8th Street.
Starting at the Dept. of Labor building, the Juneau Parade will travel around Juneau turning from Egan Drive and West 8th St., down Main Street, turning right on Front Street before turning onto Franklin Street and ending heading back down Egan Drive.
• BBQ, 11:30 a.m.- 3 p.m., (or until food runs out), Douglas Community United Methodist Church, 3rd and E Streets.
• Hot dog sale, noon, in front of Douglas Fire Hall, sponsored by the Douglas Volunteer Fire District. 1016 3rd St.
• Annual Sandcastle Challenge, noon-3:30 p.m., Sandy Beach. 101 Savikko Rd.
Registration at noon. Award time 3:30 p.m.
• Douglas Parade, 1:30 p.m. assembly time, 2 p.m. parade start, Sayéik: Gastineau Community School.
The parade will start at the Sayéik: Gastineau Community School and run down and into the downtown area. The parade will feature classic participants like the Juneau Marching Band, the Juneau-Douglas Shrine Club and a section for kids to join in the parade.
• Field Events, 3 p.m., Savikko Park, field no. 1.
10-yard dash (boys/girls ages 2-3), 20-yard dash (boys/girls ages 4-5), 30-yard dash (boys/girls ages 6-8), 40-yard dash (9-10, mothers, fathers), 60-yard dash (11-14, all women, all men), 3-legged race (10-12, over 12), sack race (5-7, 8-10, 11-14, over 14), sack race (child with parent).
• Final Soapbox Challenge, 3 p.m., St. Ann’s Avenue.
• Make & Break, 4 p.m., in front of Douglas Fire Hall. 1016 3rd St.
Olde Time Firemen’s Hose Race. Sponsored by the Douglas Volunteer Fire District.
• “Bands on the Beach” live music, 3:30-9 p.m., Sandy Beach.
Weather permitting.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
