By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
New events and some favorites from the past should make this year’s Alaska Day event worth noting, organizers say.
“This is all about commemoration of history, and history includes all cultures,” said Hal Spackman, executive director of the Sitka Historical Society.
The Alaska Day Festival Committee, which organizes events around the holiday, chose “Coming Together” as the theme for the 2021 observance.
Alaska Day is Monday, and commemorates the Oct. 18, 1867, transfer of Russian claims in Alaska to the United States.
Another goal, the committee says, is to “celebrate the diversity of cultures and historical perspectives of our people.”
“That includes the emerging study of history which recognizes that many Alaska Native people view the transfer differently,” Spackman said.
Alaska Day officially kicked off Oct. 11 with the swearing in of the Keystone Kops, and will run through Monday, Alaska Day. Major events this weekend are the 1:30 p.m. Monday parade, followed by the transfer ceremony reenactment on Castle Hill.
The schedule also has a number of unofficial events that are longstanding traditions, such as the Fish Pie and Fry Bread Sale; Sitka Lutheran Church pie sale and the Air-Sea Rescue Demonstration by U.S. Coast Guard Air Station and the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
A dozen musicians from the 9th Army Band are coming from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. They will present a concert Sunday, and take part in the military memorial service and the parade on Monday.
Some new events are a Paddle Board Race on Swan Lake and a Swap Meet at the Crescent Harbor Shelter.
Copies of the schedule of events are available at many businesses around town.
“As we focus on the annual commemoration of Alaska Day, we hope to inspire a deeper exploration into the cultures and history of the 1867 era,” the Alaska Day committee says. “We aim to stimulate the imaginations of our current generation and to look beyond our own histories and to better appreciate the experiences of others.”
Spackman is not a member of the Alaska Day Committee, but helps organize events, and schedules the Sitka Historical Society’s annual meeting, which was held Thursday night, for the holiday week.
He said he likes this year’s theme, “Coming Together,” which he said is fitting for Sitka. “Sitka has developed a reputation for coming together to commemorate our history,” he said. “We are recognized around the state as a model for how citizens can sustain their observance of the past. Our observance has grown to understand that there are different perspectives about the transfer of Alaska, and I believe it’s positive that we recognize this and continue to come together as a community.”
He said listening to different perspectives of the transfer is a key part of Alaska Day.
“We should all be cognizant people who represent a different perspective have something to say, and be willing to voice their opinion,” Spackman said. “I think it’s important we listen – if we don’t listen to each other what kind of community are we? Whether we agree or not.”
One of the new events is the Swap Meet, organized by volunteer Carrie Driver, leader of the Keystone Kops. She first came to Sitka in 2013 to work as a deckhand during the summer, and moved here permanently in 2017. She said she was looking for an event that could be done out of doors while still bringing people together, and add to the Alaska Day calendar.
“In California they have huge community swap meets, where vendors can bring their local stuff, or people bring their garage sale stuff to one area – instead of driving all over town,” she said. Six vendors and 10 garage sales have signed up, filling all the available slots for the meet, she said.
The 2021 Festival Trustees are: Ted Allio (chairman), Marsha McCrehin (vice chairman), Mindy Lowrance (secretary), Carol Hitchcock (treasurer), Lisa Langenfeld, Joan Berge, Jen Houx and Justin Mullinex.
Following is the Alaska Day schedule, also available at alaskadayfestival.org and the Festival’s Facebook page. *indicates event is sponsored by the Alaska Day Committee.
Saturday, October 16
10 a.m. - Sitka National Historical Park. One-hour tours, various locations in town, starting at 10 a.m. Russian Bishop’s House Museum open 1–4 p.m. 30-minute tours of the historic upstairs of the Russian Bishop’s House, 1-3:30 p.m. 907-747-0110.
*11 a.m. – Paddle Board Races on Swan Lake. Paddle boards will be available, or bring your own. Dry suits recommended, but not necessary. 907-738-4013, 907-738-4011.
9 a.m.-2 p.m. – Swap Meet under the Crescent Harbor Shelter (“Net Shelter”). Do your Saturday Garage Sale and Vendor Sale shopping all under one roof. (707-601-7380).
Sunday, October 17
*3 p.m. – Army Band Concert under the Crescent Harbor Shelter, Chairs will be available, organizers said. 907-738-2640.
Monday, October 18, ALASKA DAY
*11 a.m. – Military Memorial Service by U.S. Army Chaplain at Sitka National Cemetery. Representation by all Military Services. Bugles and drums by 9th Army Band. Fly-over by U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka. 907-738-2640.
11 a.m. - 4 p.m. – Sitka Lutheran Church Alaska Day Pie Sale. Whole pies will be for sale. The church will not be open. Pie sales will be through the back door of the church on Harbor Drive. Foot traffic only down the driveway. The driveway is next to The Raven’s Hook craft store.
11 a.m.–2 p.m. – Russian Church Fish Pie and Fry Bread Sale at ANB Founders Hall.
*12:30 p.m. – Line up for parade along Lincoln Street near SJ Campus. No registration fee. 907-738-2418.
*1:30 p.m. – Parade of bands, military and civilian marching units, decorated vehicles, classic cars, costumed individuals, and re-enactment groups. Parade route starts at SJ Museum and ends at Totem Square. Fly-over by U.S. Air Station Sitka. Prizes for a variety of categories. 907-738-2418.
2 – 6 p.m. – Sitka Historical Society Annual Alaska Day Brew Fest and Brisket Cookoff, Harrigan Centennial Hall parking lot. Live music by Triple Threat and the Army Band. 907-738-3766.
Immediately following parade:
*Transfer Ceremony 1867 commemoration on Castle Hill. Lowering of Russian Flag and Raising of American Flag. Roll call of States as admitted to the Union with rifle salutes. Raising of Alaska Flag. Ceremonial band music. 907-752-0556.
Immediately following Transfer Re-enactment Ceremony:
Air-sea Rescue Demonstration by U.S. Coast Guard Air Station and Coast Guard Auxiliary. Near O’Connell Bridge visitors facility.
