Fourth of July

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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)

Fourth of July in Juneau taking youthful approach as U.S. celebrates 248th birthday

Three newly graduated high school students are grand marshals of downtown parade

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)

Hot dogs, box cars and pie mark the Fourth of July in Douglas

Island fun.

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)

What you need to know for this fourth of July

Check out the scheduled events here.

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)

Juneau and Douglas enjoy Independence Day festivities

‘We’re really excited it’s all back’

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. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

PHOTOS: Juneau celebrates the Fourth of July

See the fun.

Fireworks light up the night sky over the Gastineau Channel with reds, whites and blues in the early hours of the Fourth of July. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Imogen Resneck, 4, and Jamie Buehner finish up decorating a bike outside the Douglas Public Library parking garage on July 3, 2021. Resneck’s doll, Robbie, was bound to the bike like an amber-haired figurehead because “she wanted to go to the parade,” Resneck said. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Douglas goes (bicycle) pedal to the metal ahead of Fourth of July

Dozens turn out to decorate.

Imogen Resneck, 4, and Jamie Buehner finish up decorating a bike outside the Douglas Public Library parking garage on July 3, 2021. Resneck’s doll, Robbie, was bound to the bike like an amber-haired figurehead because “she wanted to go to the parade,” Resneck said. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
People follow the One People’s Canoe Society canoe to Savikko Park at the end of the Douglas Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2019. After the pandemic forced a hiatus on festivities last year, a full slate of activities are scheduled for this weekend. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

It’s shaping up to be a busy July 4 weekend

Party like it’s America’s 245th birthday

People follow the One People’s Canoe Society canoe to Savikko Park at the end of the Douglas Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2019. After the pandemic forced a hiatus on festivities last year, a full slate of activities are scheduled for this weekend. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)
Jude Winchell, 3, takes in a parade from ontop of Cory Winchell’s shoulders, Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Parade held in Mendenhall Valley

People young and old participate in, attend event.

Jude Winchell, 3, takes in a parade from ontop of Cory Winchell’s shoulders, Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
A signal flare burns bright enough to light up the day lit shores of the Sacramento Delta during a flare training exercise held at Coast Guard Station Rio Vista, Friday, April 6, 2012. (Courtesy Photo | Petty Officer 2nd Class Levi Read)

Coast Guard reminds boaters not to use flares as fireworks

It’s punishable by a fine and prison time.

A signal flare burns bright enough to light up the day lit shores of the Sacramento Delta during a flare training exercise held at Coast Guard Station Rio Vista, Friday, April 6, 2012. (Courtesy Photo | Petty Officer 2nd Class Levi Read)
By land or sea: Law enforcement urges sober driving this holiday weekend

By land or sea: Law enforcement urges sober driving this holiday weekend

JPD and USCG will be working hard to keep Juneau safe.

By land or sea: Law enforcement urges sober driving this holiday weekend