Sitka ‘State’ Fair
Dear Editor: The second annual Sitka “state” Fair, brought to you by the Greater Sitka Arts Council has rolled up the tarps, swept up the sawdust from the Harrigan Fairground and Exhibit Hall, pulled down the grandstand, and the final deep-fried Coca-Cola Twinkie was eaten/drunk?
The weather was great, the food and entertainment seemed to please, the attendance was very gratifying, the pie eating contest – interesting and difficult, as it turned out. There are many thanks to pass along. Blue ribbons go to all those who took the time to prepare an entry for the fair, THANK YOU! The Sitkans who came down to see what their friends and neighbors were up to in the different categories that could be entered. From Spam hors d’oeuvres to jams to jellies to homegrown vegetables.
The Harry Race photo contest that asked the photographers to place an Xtratuf in the photo were very clever as well as the hobbies, crafts and collections – there was indeed great variety. I think my favorite part was watching people as they perused the different entries. A great big blue ribbon goes to the Harrigan Hall staff – they were patient, very helpful, professional and easy to work with.
We had over 20 judges that gave up an early Sunday morning to lend their expertise to judging the different entries, a blue ribbon to them as well. We had another group of early risers – the super team who helped with the registering of the entries; they too earned a blue ribbon.
Our poster design was provided through the good efforts of the Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau – another blue ribbon. Our sponsors – Guardian Flight, Harry Race, SEARHC Diabetes Education and Sea Mart – win a blue ribbon too. All the Sitka media both print and electronic who were so generous with their time and support goes yet another Blue Ribbon along with the shops who let us hang our flyers in their windows. Let’s not leave out the delicious “fair” food: Filipino, snow cones, BBQ ribs, Reindeer Redhots and Fry Bread – once again a blue ribbon for your time and talents.
The entertainment was hosted by Ted Howard, we had a barn dance, the SitNiks and the Sitka Spruce Celtic Dancers performed, again blue ribbon-ists all. Sally Sharrette provided nonstop face painting – a blue ribbon to her and the many faces she painted. Thank you, Sitka, for your support.
Following are the names of those who were so generous with their time, expertise, and good humor that made all of this possible: Phil Rupell of Sitka Convention Visitors Bureau; the staff of KIFW, Larry Snider, Dan Belair and Garrett Leighton; Raven Radio KCAW, Holly Keen, Robert Woolsey and Amy Kramer Johnson; the Daily Sitka Sentinel Thad and Sandy Poulson, Shannon Haugland, Susan McFadden, Tom Hesse and Cyndi Cassedy; Will Swagel of the Sitka Soup; judges – Cyndi Cassedy, Danielle Cassedy, Karren Upcraft, Ann Brice, Rebecca LaGuire, Dan Jones, Grace Brooks, Gretchen Clarke, Liz Schababs, John Stein, Michelle Putz, Susan Brawlyn, Cleo Brylinsky, MaryBeth Palof, Sarah Aday, Lisa Teas, Kerry Maclane, Jennifer Robinson, Janet Berlin, Kim Crews, Dan Olbryck, Perry Edwards, and Brian Massey. Registration – Carmel Easley, Jackie Fernandez, Sandra Fontaine, Frank Lawless, Cleo Brylinsky, John Stein, Garret Bauer, Robin Emmens, Bobbi Carlson and Susan Padilla; the Harrigan “fairgrounds” staff – Don Kluting, Kent Gibson, Steve Kowalczewski, Cricket Roles and Dave Patt; the GSAC Board – Pat Hughes, John Stein, Sandra Fontaine, Ashia Lane, Jackie Fernandez, Liz Zacher, Cleo Brylinsky, and Ted Howard.
My apologies to anyone I missed. Thank you to all.
Jeff Budd, Sitka ‘‘State’’Fair,
Greater Sitka Arts Council
Sitka Fest
Dear Editor: As the second Sitka Fest wraps up this weekend with the Paths Across the Pacific conference, we’d like to thank our campus partners and all the volunteers, performers, teachers, scholars, board members, and enthusiastic audiences for making Sitka’s summer arts and culture festival a success.
Sitkans are familiar with the diversity of programs offered around the SJ campus – chamber music, exhibitions, conferences, fine arts camps, science camps, Native Alaskan arts demonstrations, jazz workshops, the seafood festival – well over 50 public events in all. As one visitor observed, “It’s a Chautauqua.” I like that. The campus is indeed an Alaskan Chautauqua where people of all ages and background can meet, share ideas and experience the finest cultural offerings in the world.
As I think back over the summer and a wealth of memories come to mind. I remember the volunteer work crew sharing lunch together on a rainy Saturday in May (where would we be without those volunteers?) I remember the Sitka Summer Music Festival artists playing Mozart at the Dock Shack during a free all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. As they played, the diners quieted down and a fishing boat glided past in the background like a graceful dancer – pure bliss. I can’t forget the SFAC camper from Anchorage who found his “tribe” in rock band. I see the dozen kids learning to juggle at circus camp. I hear Andrew Hames’ choir singing Tenebre facte sunt (in Latin).
It seemed that performances never stopped. Zuill playing Bach suites in the new Del Shirley Room, Dee Daniels and Charenee Wade turning up the heat singin’ “Honeysuckle Rose”; then there was Seussical (the musical) with Horton, Mayzie and the Cat in the Hat. Can’t forget Ed Littlefield “trading fours” with Jason Marsalis and those 300 campers singing, “This Land is Your Land.” They sang as loudly as they could; swaying together, arm in arm, side to side to the mighty sound of their collective voice. That’s the memory that’ll stick for me as it best reflects the ideals of our community coming together to create something greater than any one voice.
We thank our campus partners, the Sitka Summer Music Festival, Basic Arts Institute, Island Institute, Sitka Fine Arts Camp, Sitka Sound Science Center, Native Jazz Workshop, Dee Daniels Vocal Jazz Workshop, Sitka Seafood Festival, Paths Across the Pacific, Sitka Fellows, TEDxSitka and the Sheldon Jackson Museum. Each organization generates so many wonderful programs.
Finally, thanks to the Alaska Arts Southeast board and the Sitka Fine Arts Camp staff for your energy, optimism and hard work. A special thanks to Cindy and Brant and the Hames Center crew for keeping everyone fit this summer. And a final thanks to Kayla, Zuill, Carol, Alicia, Linda, Ed, Christian, Dee, Rhiannon, Jackie, Lisa, Bill, Nancy, Phyllis, Rebecca, Jonathan, Tully, Kenley, Roger, the Yale/Princeton work crew and the hundreds of volunteers and businesses for getting us through another amazing summer. Stay tuned for Sitka Fest 2014.
Paul Cox, Director, Sitka Fest
