By Sentinel Staff
All are invited downtown Saturday for the 13th annual Season’s End Celebration, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The final cruise ship will be in port on Sunday, signaling the end of the summer tourist season.
The celebration is coordinated by the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Cruise Lines International Association-Alaska, in appreciation to the community for its hospitality over the summer season. Its support allows the Chamber and several visitor industry businesses to serve up hot dogs and hamburgers.
While that’s going on, a sidewalk sale will be underway, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Downtown businesses will have end-of-season specials and sales.
The 24th annual Running of the Boots, a fundraiser this year for the Sitka Local Foods Network and Youth Advocates of Sitka, follows at 11:30 a.m. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. under the big white tent at Totem Square. For information, contact Charlie Woodcock at 747-2910 or charlie.woodcock@sitkayouth.org.
The Running of the Boots is Southeast Alaska’s answer to Spain’s “Running of the Bulls.” Sitkans wear zany costumes and XtraTufs – Southeast Alaska’s distinctive rubber boots (aka, Sitka Sneakers). It’s a short race designed for fun and not for speed, even though one of the many prize categories is for the fastest boots. Other prize categories include best-dressed boots, zaniest costume, best couple, best kids group, and more.
The entry fee is $10 per person and $30 per family, and runners can register for the race starting at 10:30 a.m. Costume judging starts about 11 a.m., and runners hit the streets at 11:30 a.m.
As usual, local merchants have donated bushels of prizes for the costume contest.
The Sitka Local Foods Network will host a farm stand booth with fresh veggies for sale from St. Peter’s Fellowship Farm. The booth takes debit cards, WIC vouchers and Alaska Quest (SNAP) electronic benefit cards. The Smoothie Truck also will be at the event.
Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. downtown. Donations of $2 a meal will support the after-school program being provided by Youth Advocates of Sitka and Sitkans Against Family Violence.
The fund is earmarked for the most vulnerable children in the community, organizers said. Without its former funding source, the two agencies – along with SEARHC, UAS-Sitka, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Community Schools and Sitka School District – have come together to fill in the gap.
‘‘Unfortunately, there is a difficulty with funding the transportation and snacks needed for the program,’’ a press release from the Chamber of Commerce said. ‘‘According to individuals who ran the program in the past, the snack provided may be the only food the students may have to eat for supper. Please consider paying it forward when receiving your celebration lunch and supporting this important program in our community.’’
Supporting businesses include Sea Mart Quality Foods, Alaska Raptor Center, Sitka Fire Department, Sitka Sentinel and Raven Radio.
