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Story Last modified at 10:13 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2009
Here is a roundup of Fourth of July festivities in the community. Independence Day Extravaganza Friday, July 3 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Lions Park, Eagle River
“This is the kick-off to the Fourth of July celebration for all of Anchorage,” said organizer Finis Shelden. “People should bring their lawn chairs and join us as we celebrate our nation’s independence. This is a great community- and family-oriented event, with activities for both children and adults.” The celebration begins at 6 p.m. with children’s games, such as bowling, balloon darts, fishing, basketball and a duck pond. Local nonprofit organizations will conduct the games and use the proceeds to benefit their programs. The official opening ceremony is scheduled for 8 p.m. and will feature a performance by the Alaska Fine Arts Academy Jam Band and Eric Braendell. Other performances throughout the night include the John Hillborn Band, Al Nagel Music and a special 80-person youth choir, the Celebration Singers from Texas. The fireworks show blasts off at 11:30 p.m., or when it gets dark enough. Parking is limited and organizers encourage carpooling or walking to the event. Chugiak Fourth of July Parade Saturday, 2 p.m. Old Glenn Highway, Chugiak The 39th annual Chugiak Fourth of July Parade, sponsored by the Chugiak Area Business Association, the Chugiak Lions Club and the Chugiak Volunteer Fire Department, begins at the Latimer Fire Station on the Old Glenn Highway at 2 p.m. and proceeds to Chugiak Elementary School. The theme for this year’s parade is “Thanking Alaska Veterans.” There will be all the traditional parade attractions, including fire trucks, floats from different clubs and, of course, lots of candy for kids and adults. Registration is held the day of the event, so the exact number of participants isn’t known yet. The parade usually has 50 to 60 entries. Individuals and groups wanting to participate in the parade can register at the staging area in the Latimer station parking lot between 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Grand Marshals for the parade are longtime Chugiak residents Tom and Maxine McKinley. Show up early and find a spot along the parade route before the road closes at 1 p.m. Community Potluck Saturday, 2:30 p.m. VFW Post 9785 The VFW Ladies Auxiliary is hosting a community potluck and Independence Day gathering on the Fourth of July starting at 2:30 p.m. The potluck is free to the public and will feature a performance by the Felicity Band starting at 6 p.m. Like any potluck, the members of the VFW request people bring a salad or a side dish. They will be roasting ham as the main dish to feed everyone. For information about the potluck, call the VFW Post at 694-2739. Community barbecue Saturday, 11 a.m. Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center The Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center invites the public to join it for a Fourth of July community barbecue in the parking area. “We’ll have burgers and hot dogs,” said the center’s development director Gail Burger. “Nothing fancy, just a friendly get together. Plus we’ll have a mix of 15 to 20 vendors and a live DJ to make our corner the most rocking of the parade.” The grill will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., or until people are gone. Reach the reporter at darrellbreese.@alaskastar.com. This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, July 2, 2009. |
