Happy Fourth of July, Juneau and Douglas. Here’s a list of all the events that are planned for the holiday. (Looking for a good place to watch the fireworks or want to know more about the rules for setting off your own fireworks? Read this article here.)
Tuesday, July 3
Fireworks will be the highlight of July 3, but there is plenty going on leading up to the 11:59 p.m. show over Gastineau Channel.
Community Picnic, 6-8 p.m., Shelter no. 1, Sandy Beach. Food and drinks provided. Sponsored by the Douglas Volunteer Fire District and the Douglas 4th of July Committee.
Pre-fireworks Barn Dance, 7:30-11 p.m., St. Ann’s Parish Hall, 430 5th St. Full Circle string band will provide live music there will be contra dance. Contra dance is a folk dance made up long lines of couples. All dances are taught so no experience or a partner are necessary. Cost is $10 for adults $10, $5 for ages 25-and-under, $5 for students and free for ages 12-and-under, Americorp members and Jesuit Volunteers.Sponsored by Juneau International Folk dancers and Juneau Contradancers. For more information, contact Tom Paul at 463-3214.
Watermelon Eating Contest and Sand Dollar Search, 6 p.m., Shelter no. 1, Sandy Beach. Contest will be held at the start of the Community Picnic. The sand dollar search will be held at 7 p.m. Sponsored by Foodland IGA and the Douglas 4th of July Committee.
Mayor Bill Overstreet Park Ribbon Cutting, 5 p.m., Mayor Bill Overstreet Park is at the end West Eighth Street and West Ninth Street. Speakers at the ceremony will be Bill Overstreet Jr., Whale Project committee member Laraine Derr, Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch and City Manager Rorie Watt. Parking for the event will be available at the Alaska Department of Labor lot adjacent to the park. For more information, contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 586-5226.
Soapbox Challenge Heat, Trials and Registration, 6-7:30 p.m., St. Ann’s Avenue above Treadwell Arena. Divisions: ages 5-6, 7-8 and 9-10. Practice is required. For more information or to pre-register, contact Kimberly Vaughn at 209-3635. Sponsored by the Douglas 4th of July Committee and the Juneau Dipsticks, a car enthusiast group, with assistance from volunteers from Juneau high school football team.
Wednesday, July 4
Parades start at 11 a.m. with the Juneau Parade kicking off festivities. Parade route: Staging area is in the parking lot of Cycle Alaska/Department of Labor Building at West Eighth St. next to Douglas Bridge. Parade will start up Egan Drive on the mountain side, to Main Street, turn left on Main Street, turn right on Front Street, turn right on South Franklin Street down to Admiral Way, to Marine Way to Egan Drive. It will return to staging area on waterside of Egan Drive.
The Douglas Parade will include a children’s parade and begins at 2 p.m. Parade Route: Starts at Sayéik: Gastineau Community School, 1507 3rd St., and proceed southeast on 3rd Street.
Festivities last all day into the evening and include:
Douglas Church bell rings in the 4th, noon, Douglas Community Methodist Church, 1106 3rd St.
Fourth of July Deep Pit Beef BBQ, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., or until food runs out, Douglas Community Methodist Church, 1106 3rd St., Meal includes beef BBQ, baked beans, green/potato salad roll and drink. Sack lunch includes BBQ sandwich and chips. For more information contact the church office at 364-2408. Freewill donations will be accepted for the meal.
Hot dog sale, 1 p.m., in front of Douglas Fire Hall, 1016 3rd St. Sponsored by the Douglas Volunteer Fire District.
Sandcastle Challenge, registration is at noon, awards at 3:30 p.m., Sandy Beach. Low tide: 11:41 a.m., 1.3 feet. High tide: 6:21 p.m., 13.7 feet. For more information, call Zane Jones at 957-7500. Sponsored by American Institute of Architects.
Final Soapbox Challenge, 3 p.m., St. Ann’s Avenue above Treadwell Arena. Divisions: ages 5-6, 7-8 and 9-10. Practice is required.
Field events, 3 p.m. Savikko Park, Field 3. Five sprints, a three-legged race and two sack races will be held. Races are as follow: 10-yard dash for ages 2-3; 20-yard dash for ages 4-5; 30-yard dash for ages 6-8; 40-yard dash, ages 9-10 with mothers and fathers; 60-yard dash for ages 11-14, all women and all men; three-legged race ages 10-12, and over 12; sack race, child with parent and ages 5-7, 8-10, 11-14 and over 14.
Make & Break, 4 p.m., in front of the Douglas Fire Hall, 1016 3rd St. Olde Time Firemen’s Hose Race. Sponsored by the Douglas Volunteer Fire District.
Bands on the Beach, 3-9 p.m., Sandy Beach. Lord of Karma will play at 3 p.m. From 4-9, Alex and the Unmentionables, Pat Wakes the Band, That Guy, The High Fives, Tod Avery & Company and Treadwell will play. Music between 7-9 p.m. will occur if weather permits.
There will be free bus service provided by First Student from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, between Sayéik: Gastineau Community School and the Juneau Federal Building. Service will run every 30 minutes.
• Contact reporter Gregory Philson at gphilson@juneauempire.com or call at 523-2265. Follow him on Twitter at @GTPhilson.
