4th of July Parade
Dear Editor: Thank you for the opportunity to express my thanks and announce the winners of this year’s Sitka 4th of July parade. The Sitka Chamber of Commerce board of directors had a challenging time selecting just three winners from the 30 entries in this year’s parade. However, these three recipients rose to top.
The Most Enthusiastic Award, with a cash prize of $50, went to the Sitka Fine Arts Camp. The 250 marching, dancing, singing, and instrument playing campers were a gleeful wall of gusto and enthusiasm.
The Best of Theme Award with a cash prize of $75 was awarded to the Greg George family. The George family constructed their parade float, which they will also use as a “yard boat” play structure, out of almost entirely recycled materials. The only part of the boat that wasn’t recycled was a pulley, which allowed them to raise and lower the mast in order to get the float to the parade line-up. Their entry was both creative and innovative.
The Best of Parade Award, with a cash prize of $100, went to Alaska Airlines. With Juliet Agne holding down the giant inflatable plane and Tim Holder soaring above the parade spectators, Alaska Airlines took their parade entry to a new level. With the theme of “New Routes,” staff passed out 5 percent off travel coupons and airline snacks while pulling decorated suitcases.
Simplistic by design, it may seem like a parade “just happens.” But there is a considerable amount of communication and cooperation that occurs to make this type of community event a success. Thank you to the Sitka Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the event. In addition, I would like to recognize the Sitka Police Department, Trish and Dirk White, KCAW, KIFW, Daily Sitka Sentinel, Dan Jones, Suzan Hess, Linda Holmes, and Elise Atkins for their assistance in the communication and onsite execution of the event.
This year’s parade will probably stand out as my favorite community event of the year. Not only was the weather gorgeous, the streets were packed with smiling faces, and the parade floats and groups were so creative and enthusiastic. A big thanks goes to all of the participants and entries of the parade: (in order of appearance) Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, Grand Marshals Trish and Dirk White, Sitka Veterans Association, LDS Church, National Park Service, SHS Class of 1995, AC Lakeside, re:fresh Fitness, Calvary Chapel of Sitka, SHS Classes of 1959-1965, SHS Softball State Champions, New Archangel Dancers, Sea Mart Quality Foods, Sitka Emblem Club 142, Alaska Day Festival Committee, U.S. Forest Service, the George Family, Riley Bernhardt and friends, Sea Mountain Golf Course, Sitka Sound Slayers, Baranof Island Brewing Company, Electric Vehicles of Sitka, Sitka Fine Arts Camp, Allen Marine, Alaska Airlines, Salvation Army, Sitka Mountain Rescue, and the Sitka Fire Department.
I’m humbled and grateful that the Sitka Chamber of Commerce board selected BBBS to organize the parade this year. It was not only a lot of fun, but the parade entry fees will be used towards matching more Sitka kids with caring adult role models in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. BBBS is now enrolling youths and volunteers for fall. To learn more, please call 747-3500.
Kealoha Harmon,
Sitka Community Director,
Big Brothers Big Sisters
