Four days of festivities and observances are scheduled
for the Fourth of July weekend, starting with celebration of the new ball diamond at the
fairgrounds Thursday and ending Sunday evening with a public discussion of the future of
arts in the Chilkat Valley.
Appearances by U.S. Senator Ted Stevens will anchor Fort Seward Days,
two days of events to commemorate the early days of the frontier-era Army base and the
role it played in Alaska statehood.
On Saturday, Sen. Stevens will participate in an informal breakfast and
conversation, 7:45 to 9 a.m. at the American Bald Eagle Foundation, unveil two new warrior
totems at Klukwan’s veterans’ memorial at 10:30 a.m. and deliver an address at
the Fort Seward parade grounds at 1:30 p.m.
"It’s a great honor to have Senator Stevens here," said
Chamber of Commerce manager Joan Carlson.
The busy weekend will include traditional Independence Day activities
Friday, including the early-morning Mount Ripinsky Run, Fourth of July parade down Main
Street, cook-out and games at Tlingit Park, Mad Raft Race on Chilkoot River, and evening
fireworks.
The pie-eating contest was cancelled when the longtime pie donor backed
out, Carlson said. "People have been asking. We got the notice too late to pull it
together, but we’re planning to have it back next year."
Old-fashioned fun at the fort includes a tour of historic homes, field
games, and a kite-flying contest. History actor John Venables will speak as Judge James
Wickersham 2 p.m. Sunday at the Chilkat Center. Author Dan Henry will lead the arts
discussion at the center at 3 p.m.
Special meals will be held at fort restaurants Saturday and Sunday and
a Chilkat Dancer storytelling show is offered at half-price, 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the
parade grounds tribal house. For the full schedule, see pages 8-10.
