Fourth of July

Juneau Ati-Atihan marches towards downtown Juneau in the 2025 Fourth of July Parade. The group was named best of parade. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)

Independence Day parade soars through downtown

Candy took flight at this year’s downtown Juneau parade, ‘Juneau’s Winged Heroes’

 

Seven- and 8-year-olds compete in the watermelon-eating contest at Savviko Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

Douglas picnic marks the beginning of 4th of July celebrations

Community members enjoy barbecue, watermelon eating contest

 

Shannon Crossley, who helped build the Treadwell disc golf course, wears the Douglas grand marshal’s sash as she rides in the parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

History of Douglas continues through Independence Day celebrations

Juneau Disc Golf Club honored as Douglas Fourth of July grand marshal

 

People watch the fireworks after midnight on Friday, July 4<ins>, </ins><ins>2025</ins>. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau blasts into Independence Day with annual firework display

A century old tradition, decades of expertise and a year of preparation culminates in a treasured show

People watch the fireworks after midnight on Friday, July 4<ins>, </ins><ins>2025</ins>. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Rachel Hightower holds her 2-year-old daughter Carmen’s decorated tricycle at the Bicycle Decorating & Sidewalk Chalk Decorating event in the Douglas Community Library parking garage on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

Douglas kids gear up for 4th of July festivities

Riders decorate bikes, scooters for upcoming parade

Rachel Hightower holds her 2-year-old daughter Carmen’s decorated tricycle at the Bicycle Decorating & Sidewalk Chalk Decorating event in the Douglas Community Library parking garage on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
Mackenzie Lam, one of three grand marshals of Juneau’s Fourth of July 2024 parade, passes out candy from the back of a truck on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Mackenzie Lam, one of three grand marshals of Juneau’s Fourth of July 2024 parade, passes out candy from the back of a truck on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Brooklyn Kanouse (left) holds up her finished watermelon with pride at the watermelon-eating contest that happens during the Douglas Fourth of July Committee’s annual community picnic. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Douglas Island’s 125th annual Fourth of July celebration kicks off with a picnic and soapbox derby

Watermelon-eating contest and fast race cars part of Douglas’ “family fun” on eve of Independence Day.

Brooklyn Kanouse (left) holds up her finished watermelon with pride at the watermelon-eating contest that happens during the Douglas Fourth of July Committee’s annual community picnic. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Children run as fast as they can toward Treadwell Arena’s zamboni as it fills the street with candy during the Fourth of July parade on Douglas. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Douglas celebrates community in 125th Fourth of July parade and festivities

Molly McCormick honored as Douglas’ grand marshal for her years planning the parade and other events.

Children run as fast as they can toward Treadwell Arena’s zamboni as it fills the street with candy during the Fourth of July parade on Douglas. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Drummers with the Ati-Atihan Juneau Group make their way along Franklin Street during Juneau’s annual Fourth of July parade on Thursday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A misty-eyed Fourth of July parade through downtown salutes Juneau’s youth

Trio of recent high school graduates serving as grand marshals share memories, hopes, candy.

Drummers with the Ati-Atihan Juneau Group make their way along Franklin Street during Juneau’s annual Fourth of July parade on Thursday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Red, white and blue shoot off in Juneau to celebrate Independence Day. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Fourth of July fireworks show once again a hues hit for Juneau

Traditional holiday events continue Thursday with parades downtown at 11 a.m., in Douglas at 2 p.m.

Red, white and blue shoot off in Juneau to celebrate Independence Day. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The Assembly Room at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the original U.S. Constitutional Convention took place. (Antonie Taveneaux / CC BY-SA 3.0)

Opinion: Let’s celebrate our country this Fourth of July

On July 4, 1776, a year after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, steeple bells rang throughout Philadelphia. John Hancock, President of the Continental… Continue reading

The Assembly Room at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the original U.S. Constitutional Convention took place. (Antonie Taveneaux / CC BY-SA 3.0)
The Ati-Atihan Juneau Group proceeds down Egan Drive during Juneau’s 2023 Fourth of July parade. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Ati-Atihan Juneau Group proceeds down Egan Drive during Juneau’s 2023 Fourth of July parade. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Leadonna Castillo crosses the finish line during the Final Soapbox Challenge Tuesday afternoon down St. Ann’s Avenue in Douglas. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Leadonna Castillo crosses the finish line during the Final Soapbox Challenge Tuesday afternoon down St. Ann’s Avenue in Douglas. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Children participate in a watermelon eating contest Monday evening at a community picnic at Sandy Beach in Douglas. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire)

Celebrating the freedom to begin Fourth festivities early

Watermelon-eating contests, sand dollar search add flavor to beach picnic on eve of Independence Day

Children participate in a watermelon eating contest Monday evening at a community picnic at Sandy Beach in Douglas. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire)
Jim Dalman and his granddaughter Devlin, 6, decorate a bicycle in the Douglas Library parking garage Saturday during the annual pre-July 4 gathering to prepare for the Children’s Parade on Independence Day. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire)

Gearing up for the Fourth of July

Red, white and blue abound as kids deck out their rides in Douglas.

Jim Dalman and his granddaughter Devlin, 6, decorate a bicycle in the Douglas Library parking garage Saturday during the annual pre-July 4 gathering to prepare for the Children’s Parade on Independence Day. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire)
T.J. Hovest conducts the Juneau Volunteer Marching Band during an Independence Day weekend concert on Sunday at Sealaska Heritage Plaza. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Marching back to Juneau’s traditions for Independence Day

Concert by Juneau Volunteer Marching Band a prelude to their participation in July 4 parade.

T.J. Hovest conducts the Juneau Volunteer Marching Band during an Independence Day weekend concert on Sunday at Sealaska Heritage Plaza. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rachel Hurst hands her son Benjamin, 4, a beach ball to throw to the crowd from the Hawaiian-themed Juneau Urgent Care float during the July 4 parade in downtown Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau, the state of the union is festive

Melting pot of states, cultures and colors join in healthy unity for July 4 parade in unique times.

Rachel Hurst hands her son Benjamin, 4, a beach ball to throw to the crowd from the Hawaiian-themed Juneau Urgent Care float during the July 4 parade in downtown Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mia Halloway (6) grabs a cotton candy with her dad in Savikko Park. A long string of kids stood in line to grab a cotton candy from the Twhrly Whrliy Cotton Candy stand on a bright and sunny Fourth of July afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Fun and sun mark holiday in Douglas

Hot dogs and panting pups present for festivities.

Mia Halloway (6) grabs a cotton candy with her dad in Savikko Park. A long string of kids stood in line to grab a cotton candy from the Twhrly Whrliy Cotton Candy stand on a bright and sunny Fourth of July afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Fireworks light up the night sky over the Gastineau Channel with reds, whites and blues in the early hours of the Fourth of July. Personal fireworks were being shot off nearby, leading one onlooker to shout, “Double fireworks! I love America!” (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Fireworks light up the night sky over the Gastineau Channel with reds, whites and blues in the early hours of the Fourth of July. Personal fireworks were being shot off nearby, leading one onlooker to shout, “Double fireworks! I love America!” (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)