City Adds Attractions to Holiday Celebration

Details

Category: News

Created on Friday, 22 November 2024 15:26

Hits: 643

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    Following the 2023 holiday extravaganza featuring trains, toys, treats a gingerbread contest and a public reception, the Sitka Historical Society and Museum wants to take it up a notch this year with the addition of a Christmas parade.
     A Holiday Parade of Lights and Toys at 5 p.m. Dec. 21 is still in the planning phases, but society director Hal Spackman is hoping a lights-filled procession on Lincoln Street will be a welcome addition to the already popular trains, toys and gingerbread event at Centennial Hall.
    “I think it’ll be pretty fun,” he said. “We’ll have Santa Claus in the parade, maybe with some big dogs with antlers and lights pulling Santa. Lots of lights, and a shorter parade than we used to have, so the little kids can participate.”
    A parade from Crescent Harbor to St. Michael’s Cathedral and ending at Centennial Hall would couple well with the opening of the gingerbread house contest, and model train and toys exhibit in the building, Spackman said.
    “We’re inviting children and adults to be in the parade, with costumes and lights – be creative,” he said.
    Noting that the event will take place on the shortest day of the year, Spackman said “lights” should be the inspiration. “Light up your ATV, dance, carol, Anything that brings a festive spirit and invites the community out to celebrate the holiday season.”
    Spackman is looking for volunteers to help promote the parade, and is encouraging young people in particular to enter. Floats and costume entries are eligible for prizes.
    Last year’s celebration included visits with Santa and the Grinch, and drew over 1,000 people to Centennial Hall for cookies and to see the trains and antique toys. Spackman is hoping for an equally enthusiastic turnout this year, particularly with the debut of the Holiday Parade.
    The model train exhibit this year will feature a rare Lionel Girls Train, plus the eye popping favorite O-gage train and exhibit contributed by Blake Conaway.
    There also will be an exhibit of multiple Lego trains going through a winter wonderland, created by the Tyler and Sarah Eddy family.
    Conaway said today he will debut an expanded track plan measuring 24 feet long, with six trains running, plus an interactive table where visitors small and large can run the train.
    The train and toy exhibit will be in Rooms 1 and 2 – double the space for the event last year – and also will include the popular modern HO-gauge train that in years past was on exhibit at Michael and Jackie LaGuire’s real estate office. It was donated to the museum a few years ago and has been on exhibit every year since then.
    Spackman is also talking to people about bringing their own train sets and vintage toys to be part of the exhibit.
    More information about the party and exhibit will be released closer to the event. In general, everything will be happening at once: Spackman said gingerbread creations should be brought in by Dec. 20, all trains and toys should be set up by Dec. 18, and the gingerbread contest is on the 21st.
    The trains and toys will be on display through December 31.
AC Lakeside and 1st National Bank of Alaska are helping cover the cost of the 6 to 9 p.m. reception for the public on Dec. 21, and parade prizes.
    Spackman said he’s thrilled with how the community has embraced this recent addition to the busy Sitka holiday calendar, which celebrates nostalgia, childhood memories, and the holiday season.
    Those with questions about contributing to the display can call Spackman at 907-738-3766.