TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
2011 ALASKA DAY FESTIVAL
and other activities of interest as of October 5, 2011
Sheldon Jackson Museum open 10:00-4:00 Tue. - Sat. (closed Alaska Day holiday)
Sitka Historical Society Museum 10:00-4:00 Tue. - Sat. (closed Alaska Day holiday)
National Park Service Visitor Center 8:00-5:00 Mon. - Sun.
Russian Bishops' House Oct. 18 9:00- Noon, 2:30-4:30 for tours
Sitka Lutheran Church 9:00-3:00 Daily. Artifacts display
Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Community House - To be announced
Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall - To be announced
St. Michael’s Cathedral - To be announced
Many other daytime or evening events and activities will be added to this schedule, including interpretive programs at museums and parks, special exhibits, aircraft displays and film showings, receptions, historic sites and buildings tours, food, prose writing contest essays, Native and other dancing, and entertainment at Harrigan Centennial Hall or other locations. Festival information including schedule of events will be posted at www.alaskadayfestival.org.
* indicates event sponsored by Alaska Day Committee
| Wednesday, October 5 | ||
|
noon |
Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Program by Alaska Day Committee and Sitka Historical Society members. At Westmark Sitka. 747-8604 | |
| Thursday, October 6 - Saturday, October 8 | ||
| * 11 am - 6 pm | Festival event schedules, tickets, and commemorative merchandise sold. Coordinated by Linda Trierschield, 747-5466, or lindat@gci.net to reserve tickets at Lakeside Center | |
| Saturday, October 8 | ||
| 7:00 pm | Festival Community Barn Dance. Mixers, circles, and contra dances, or just good listening and watching for all ages. Live music by Sitka’s Fishing for Cats Band. Beginners or seasoned dancers. Non-alcohol, smoke free. Alaska Day costuming invited. Free admission, donations benefit Alaska Day Festival. Sponsored by Community Schools. At Blatchley Middle School. Contact Dorothy Orbison,
747-3412. |
|
| Monday, October 10 | ||
|
7:00 pm |
“Sitka at War” presentation by NPS ranger Jon Fish at Sitka National Historical Park Visitor Center. Free. 747-0110 or 747-0134 |
|
| Monday, October 10 to Monday, October 17 | ||
* 1 am - 6 pm |
Festival event schedules, tickets, and commemorative merchandise sold at Centennial Hall. Coordinated by Linda Trierschield, 747-5466, or lindat@gci.net to reserve tickets at Harrigan Centennial Hall. | |
| Tuesday, October 11 | ||
| * | Official greeters in 1860s costumes meet visitors at airport. Coordinated by Betty Conklin, 966-2281. |
|
| Wednesday, October 12 | ||
| 9 am – 4 pm | Cross-cultural Communication Training with Fr. Michael Oleksa. Free. Sponsored by Youth Advocates of Sitka. At Centennial Hall. Contact Ryan Haug, 747-3687. | |
* noon |
Keystone Kops sworn in at the statue on Pioneers’ Home lawn. Applicants contact keystonekiss@yahoo.com. Coordinated by Jen Houx, 738-1779. | |
* 7 pm |
Variety Show of entertainment. Essay readings by high school and adult winners from Prose Writing Contest theme “Celebrating Alaskan Aviation” (see Write Women website). Judging of men’s beards and women’s bonnets. At Centennial Hall. Admission $3. Coordinated by Sharyn Ferrick, 752-3111. |
|
| Thursday, October 13 | ||
| 6:00 pm | Service to Saint Herman at St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral. 747-8120 or 752-7552 | |
| ? | Vintage PBY aircraft arrives at airport, parks at USCG Air Station Hangar | |
6:30 pm
|
Sitka Historical Society and Museum Annual Meeting doors open for membership renewals and exhibit viewing. 7:00 p.m. business meeting. 7:30 p.m. Program with slide show and panel presentation on Sitka’s aviation history. Public invited. Refreshments/snacks. At Centennial Hall Exhibit Room. Contact Bob Medinger or Jackie Fernandez, 747-6455. |
|
| Friday, October 14 | ||
| 6:00 pm | Service to Sitka Madonna at St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral. 747-8120 or 752-7552 | |
| 6:30 pm | Presentation at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Hangar on history of Sitka Naval Operating Base, the role of PBY's, and some other Alaskan aviation history. Includes a slide show, presentation from Matt Hunter, and discussion and Q&A with PBY owner Bud Rude and his pilot. Coordinated by Sitka Historical Society and Bob Medinger, 747-6455, with collaboration of U.S. Coast Guard. | |
| * 7 pm | New Archangel Dancers end-of-season grand finale performance featuring variety of traditional folk dances from Russia and the surrounding regions. Some live accompaniment by SitNiks instrumental ensemble. At Harrigan Centennial Hall. Benefit for Alaska Day Festival. Admission $5 adults, $3 children under 10. Contact Jeanne Stolberg, 747-8083, 738-8083, or New Archangel Dancers, 747-5516. | |
| Saturday, October 15 | ||
* 8 am |
Road Race (30th annual event) begins at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Gazebo at end of Airport Road and return. 7-mile course for runners or 2.5 mile fun run. Registration 7:15-7:45 a.m. on race day. Refreshments. Fee $10 to receive commemorative water bottle or beanie hat. Coordinated by U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka. Contact LT David Birky or LT Chris Enoksen, 966-5613. |
|
| 9 am - 7 pm | Food booths and other sales by non-profit service organizations at Crescent Harbor Shelter. Coordinated by Elaine Strelow, 747-3469. | |
| 10 am – 3 pm |
Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum reception. Silent Auction 10:00-2:00 to benefit Native Artist Demonstrators program. Contact Mary Wheeler,
747-6233. |
|
* 11:00 am |
Kayak Races at Swan Lake. Cash prizes for various age divisions. Safety gear and personnel, 2-person kayaks all provided by Sitka Sound Ocean Adventures. Paddling practice available 9:00 a.m. Registration 10:30 a.m. Fee $5 per person. Contact Tim Fulton, 747-3776 or 738-0740. |
|
| 11:00 am | Military guests including 9th Army Band arrive at airport from United States Army post at Fort Wainwright (near Fairbanks). Military liaison MaryLou Vilandre, 747-8086 or 738-1551. | |
| 11:00 am | Seattle Firefighters Pipe Band members arrive at airport. Contact Lisa Langenfeld, 738-2163. | |
| 11 am – 3 pm |
Open House, Fly-in, and Marine Safety Fair at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station.Pending vintage PBY aircraft activity. Displays for children and adults offered in conjunction with other local emergency service providers.
Contact LT Chris Enoksen or LT David Birky, 966-5613 or email david.a.birky@uscg.mil |
|
| 6:00 pm | Great Vespers at St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral. 747-8120 or 752-7552 | |
| 7:00 pm | Sitka Monthly Grind. Family-oriented affordable entertainment. Alcohol-free. At Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi. $5 advance tickets at Old Harbor Books. Contact Ryan Kauffman, 747-9355, or Ted Howard, 747-5482. | |
| Sunday, October 16 | ||
|
Various church activities | |
| 9 am - 7 pm | Food booths and other sales by non-profit service organizations at Crescent Harbor Shelter. Coordinated by Elaine Strelow, 747-3469. | |
| 11:00 am | Military guests including deployed members of 6th Engineer Battalion, United States Army Alaska, arrive at airport from Fort Richardson/Elmendorf Air Base (near Anchorage). Military liaison MaryLou Vilandre, 747-8086 or 738-1551. | |
| 1:00 pm | Alaska Day Biathlon (running/shooting event) at north end of Halibut Point Road. Sponsored by Sitka Sportsman’s Association. Mandatory pre-race safety clinic at 1:00 p.m. Race begins at 2:00 p.m. $15 fee includes use of equipment, safety clinic, awards, and refreshments. Age 14 or older. Beginners welcome. Contests for individuals and teams of 4. Contact Foy Nevers, 747-3469 | |
| 2:00 pm | Essay Readings from Prose Writing Contest theme “Celebrating Alaskan Aviation”. Elementary and middle school age winners. Sponsored by The Write Women of Sitka and Alaska Day Committee. At Kettleson Memorial Library. Contact Ann Wilkinson, 747-2715 or 747-2707 (see Write Women website). | |
| * 2 - 6 pm | “A Taste of Russia” special foods including pelmini, cookies and tea. Instrumental music by SitNiks. Event coordinated by New Archangel Dancers with dance samples. At Centennial Hall. Admission $10 adults, $5 children age 6 and under. Contact Cyndy Gibson, 747-4708 or 966-2803. | |
| * 7:00 pm | 9th Army Band Concert of varied musical styles from military marches to pop rhythms. At Centennial Hall. Free of charge. Coordinated by military liaison MaryLou Vilandre, 747-8086 or 738-1551. | |
| Monday, October 17 | ||
| 12:30 am | Alaska Army National Guard members and equipment arrive on southbound MV Taku. Contact Staff Sergeant Craig Greer, 747-3486 | |
| 9 am - 7 pm | Food booths and other sales by non-profit service organizations at Crescent Harbor Shelter. Coordinated by Elaine Strelow, 747-3469. | |
| 6:00 pm | Service to Alaskan Saints at St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral. 747-8120 or 752-7552 | |
| * 7:00 pm | Alaska Day Ball seating opens. Music by 9th Army Band ensembles. Period costume promenade and Native regalia display at 9:30 p.m. Awards. Door prizes. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres by Sitka Emblem Club. Cash bar by Channel Club. Photography service available. Adults over 21 only. Period dress, regalia or semi-formal. At Centennial Hall. Admission $20. Coordinated by Betty Conklin, 966-2281, and Helen Cunningham, 747-6738. | |
| Tuesday, October 18, ALASKA DAY | ||
| 9 am - 7 pm | Food booths and other sales by non-profit service organizations at Crescent Harbor Shelter. Coordinated by Elaine Strelow, 747-3469. | |
9 am – Noon |
Russian Bishop’s House guided tours on the ½ hour with NPS rangers, including restored living quarters, chapel, and new film about the House. Exhibits explain the Russian era in Alaska. Free. Contact Clarence Wadkins, 747-0121, 747-0110 or 747-0134. | |
11 am – Noon |
Children’s Games from the Past at Russian Bishop’s House. Contact 747-0110 or 747-0134 |
|
* 11:00 am |
Military Memorial Service by U.S. Army Chaplain at Sitka National Cemetery. Representation by all Military Services. Drums and bugles by 9th Army Band. Fly-over by U.S. Coast Guard Air Station. Military liaison MaryLou Vilandre, 747-8086 or 738-1551. | |
| 11 am - 1:30 pm | Open House at Sitka Fire Hall hosted by SFD Volunteers. Refreshments. Greet members of Seattle Firefighters Pipe Band. Contact Valerie Heritsch, 747-3233 | |
| 11 am - 4 pm | Pie Sale, community fellowship, and silent auction bidding on quilts and wallhangings. At Sitka Lutheran Church, 224 Lincoln St. 747-3338, 747-6447, 747-5458 | |
| 11 am - 3 pm | Fish Pie Luncheon at St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral. Contact 747-8120 or 752-7552 or 747-6479 | |
| Early dismissal from classes by Sitka School District | ||
| * 12:30 pm | Line up for parade along Lake Street | |
* 1:30 pm |
Parade of bands, marching units, decorated vehicles, classic cars, and costumed individuals from Swan Lake to Lincoln Street to Totem Square. Coordinated by Duane Vilandre, 747-8086 or 738-1551. | |
| 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. Raising of Alaska Flag. Ceremonial music by 9th Army Band. Coordinated by Steve Dalquist, 747-4835 or 747-1001, or 752-0750, and Ron Conklin, 966-2281. | ||
| 2 - 4 pm | Sitka Pioneer's Home Open House. Entertainment. Refreshments. Contact Kristi Greinier, 747-2121 | |
2 – 4 pm |
Open House at Brave Heart Volunteers (home visiting and respite services). Information offered. Soups, bread, and dessert sold as fundraiser. At Manager’s House next to Sitka Pioneer's Home. Contact 747-4600. |
|
| 2 – 4 pm | Open House at Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool next to Sitka Pioneer's Home. Children's activity. Contact 966-2675. | |
| Wednesday, October 19 | ||
| Military guests including 9th Army Band depart for Anchorage and Fairbanks. | ||
2011 Festival trustees are Ted Allio (chairman), Joan Berge, LT David Birky, Betty Conklin, Helen Cunningham, (treasurer), Steve Dalquist (vice chairman), Jen Houx, Lisa Langenfeld, Marsha McCrehin, Elaine Strelow (secretary), Linda Trierschield, and MaryLou Vilandre.