2012
ALASKA DAY FESTIVAL
SCHEDULE OF Festival EVENTS
and other activities of interest to the community and its visitors
Alaska Day Festival annually commemorates the Purchase Transfer of Russian claim of Alaska to the United States of America at Sitka on
October 18, 1867, and celebrates the diversity of cultures and historical perspectives of our people.
2012 Festival theme honors the Alaska Native Brotherhood and its 100 years, recognizing the historic role of that organization in both economic and cultural aspects of Alaska.
Logo artwork for 2012 is by Ann Wilkinson for the Alaska Native Brotherhood.
| Sheldon Jackson Museum open 10:00-4:00 Tue. through Sat. (closed Alaska Day holiday) Sitka Historical Society Museum 10:00-4:00 Tue. through Sat. (closed Alaska Day holiday) National Park Service Visitor Center 8:00-5:00 Mon. through Sat. Russian Bishops' House By appointment, call 747-0110 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 and displays, film showings, receptions, historic sites and buildings tours, food, 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 on the Events page, on 
Facebook at alaskadaysitka, and advertised in local newspaper and radio.
* indicates event sponsored by Alaska Day Committee
| Wednesday, October 3 – Saturday, October 6 | |
| Alaska Native Brotherhood Grand Camp Convention in Sitka, marking 100 years since its founding in 1912. Contact Gerry Hope, 738-3377 or 747-7290 | |
| Friday, October 5 thru Wednesday, October 17 |
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| * Noon – 6 pm | Festival event schedules, tickets, and commemorative merchandise sold at Centennial Hall. Coordinated by Linda Trierschield, 747-5466 |
| Saturday, October 6 | |
| 7 pm | Sitka Monthly Grind. Family-oriented affordable entertainment. Alcohol-free. At Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi, 200 Katlian Street. $5 advance tickets at Old Harbor Books. (Ticket price refunded for home-made dessert.) Contact Ted Howard, 747-5482 |
| Sunday, October 7 | |
| Monday, October 8 | |
| Tuesday, October 9 | |
| Wednesday, October 10 | |
| * | Official greeters in 1860s costumes begin meeting visitors at airport. Coordinated by Betty Conklin, 966-2281 |
| Noon | Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce luncheon. State House candidates forum. At Westmark Sitka. 747-8604 |
| Wednesday, October 10 - Saturday, October 13 | |
| Annual statewide meetings in Sitka of Alaska Historical Society (theme: “Alaska on the World Stage”) and Museums Alaska (theme: “Museums Matter: Connecting to Our Communities”). For conference schedule and registration information, contact Bob Medinger, 747-6455 | |
| Thursday, October 11 | |
| 6:30 – 8 pm | State House and Senate Candidates Forum sponsored by Sitka High School. At Performing Arts Center. Contact Howard Wayne, 738-1790 |
| 7 pm | Pre-race safety clinic for Alaska Day Biathlon (running/shooting event) at 5211 Halibut Point Road. See listing on October 14. Sponsored by Sitka Sportsman’s Association. Contact Foy Nevers, 747-3469 |
| Friday, October 12 | |
| * Noon | Swearing in of Keystone Kops at Sitka Pioneers’ Home lawn. Coordinated by Jen Houx, 738-1779 |
| Noon | Organ Recital by visiting musician Marianne Gould featuring “Songs You Like”. Bring your lunch. At Sitka Lutheran Church. Contact 747-3338 |
| 6-8 pm | Harvest Wine and Beer Tasting sponsored by Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce. Live music, hors d’oeuvres, door prizes. At Westmark Sitka. Contact Jennifer Robinson, 747-8604 |
| Saturday, October 13 | |
| * 8 am | Road Race (32nd annual event) begins at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Gazebo at end of Airport Road and return. 10k course for runners or 2.5 mile fun run. Registration 7:15-7:45 a.m. on race day. Refreshments. Fee $15 to receive commemorative item. Coordinated by U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka. Contact LT Chris Enoksen, 966-5456 |
| 9 am - 1 pm | Hat-Making Class for Alaska Day at UAS Sitka Campus by Office of Continuing Education. $35 includes materials. Contact 747-7762 |
| 9 am - 12:45 pm | Sheldon Jackson Historical Events |
| * 11 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 am - 3 pm | Open House, Fly-in, and Marine Safety Fair at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka. Displays for children and adults offered in conjunction with other local emergency service providers. Contact LT Chris Enoksen, 966-5456 |
| 1-3 pm | Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum Reception. Free admission to Museum. Contact Mary Boose, 747-6233 |
| * 7 pm | Variety Show of local talent in dance groups, songs and instrumentals. Essay readings by high school and adult winners from Prose Writing Contest theme “Celebrating 100 Years of Alaska Native Brotherhood”. Judging of men’s beards by Sitka Emblem Club #142 and women’s bonnets by Sitka Elks Lodge #1662. Taste of foods from various communities. At Centennial Hall. Admission $3. Coordinated by Sharyn and John Ferrick, 752-3111 or 747-8592 |
| 9:30 pm till closing | Frontier Dance and 1800s costume competition. Prizes. Popular dance music. Age 21 and over. Admission free. At Channel Club. Contact Sharyn Ferrick, 752-3111 or 747-8592 |
| Sunday, October 14 | |
| Various church activities | |
| 1 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 per person 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 |
| * 4 pm | Essay Readings by elementary and middle school age winners from Prose Writing Contest theme “Celebrating 100 Years of Alaska Native Brotherhood”. Sponsored by The Write Women of Sitka and Alaska Day Committee. At Kettleson Memorial Library. Contact Ann Wilkinson, 747-2715 or 747-2707, http://writewomen.publishpath.com |
| * 3 - 6:30 pm | “A Taste of Russia” special foods including pelmini (meat dumplings), cookies and tea. Instrumental music by SitNiks. Russian dance samples by New Archangel Dancers. At Centennial Hall Exhibit Room. Admission $10 adults, $5 children age 6 and under. Coordinated by Cyndy Gibson, 747-4708 or 738-0655 |
| * 6:30 pm | Festival Community Barn dance with 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 Centennial Hall. Contact Dorothy Orbison, 747-3412 |
| Monday, October 15 | |
| 9 am - 7 pm | Food booths and other sales by non-profit service organizations at Crescent Harbor Shelter area. Coordinated by Elaine Strelow, 747-3469 |
| 11 am | Military guests including 9th Army Band members arrive on Alaska Airlines at airport from Fort Wainwright (near Fairbanks). Coordinated by military liaison MaryLou Vilandre, 747-8086 or 738-1551 |
| Noon | Organ Recital by visiting musician Marianne Gould featuring works by Bach. Bring your lunch. At Sitka Lutheran Church. Contact 747-3338 |
| * 7 pm | New Archangel Dancers end-of-season grand finale performance of traditional folk dancers from Russia and the surrounding regions. Accompaniment by live musical ensemble. At Harrigan Centennial Hall. Contact Linda Speerstra, 747-8316, or NAD, 747-5516 |
| Tuesday, October 16 | |
| 8 am - Noon | History Review and Re-enactment for 4th graders from Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School. At Centennial Hall and other locations. |
| 9 am - 7 pm | Food booths and other sales by non-profit service organizations at Crescent Harbor Shelter area. Coordinated by Elaine Strelow, 747-3469 |
| 11 am | Seattle Firefighters Pipe Band members arrive on Alaska Airlines at airport. Contact Lisa Langenfeld, 738-2163 . |
| Noon | Rotary Club meeting at Westmark Sitka. Speaker: U.S. Army Alaska Command Sergeant Major Bernard Knight. Contact 752-5001 |
| * 7 pm | 9th Army Band Concert of varied musical styles. At Centennial Hall. Free. Coordinated by MaryLou Vilandre, 747-8086 |
| Wednesday, October 17 | |
| 9 am - 7 pm | Food booths and other sales by non-profit service organizations at Crescent Harbor Shelter area. Coordinated by Elaine Strelow, 747-3469 |
| Noon | Swan Lake Senior Center special lunch for Alaska Day with ham and sweet potatoes. At 402 Lake Street. Reservations required. $4 suggested donation for seniors age 60+, $8 for all others. RSVP to Sean Steele, 747-8617 |
| * 7 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 (must be present to win). 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 $25. Coordinated by Betty Conklin, 966-2281, and Helen Cunningham, 747-6738 |
| Thursday, October 18, ALASKA DAY | |
| 9 am - Noon | Kettleson Memorial Library’s Alaska Day Book Sale to benefit Friends of the Library. Contact 747-8708. |
| 9 am - 7 pm | Food booths and other sales by non-profit service organizations at Crescent Harbor Shelter area. Coordinated by Elaine Strelow, 747-3469 |
| 9:30 am | Divine Liturgy in honor of St. Innocent and St. Tikhon and the Heirarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church. At St. Michael’s Cathedral. 747-8120 or 752-7552 |
| * 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. |
| 11 am- 1:30 pm | Open House at Sitka Fire Hall hosted by SFD Volunteers. Refreshments. Greet members of Seattle Firefighters Pipe Band. Contact Cathy Watson, 738-6875 or 747-3233 |
| 11 am - 4 pm | Pie Sale, community fellowship, and silent auction bidding on quilts and wall hangings. At Sitka Lutheran Church, 224 Lincoln St. 747-3338, 747-6447, 747-6525 |
| 11 am - 3 pm | Luncheon with Fish Pie (salmon or halibut) clam chowder, salad and dessert. $12. At St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral. Contact 747-8120 |
| 1 - 5 pm | Chili Cook-Off at St. Gregory Catholic Church on Lincoln St. $5. Sponsored by Knights of Columbus for youth travel fund. Contact Joe Meador, 738-5388 |
| * 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. |
| 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. |
| Immediately following Transfer Re-enactment Ceremony: | |
| Air-sea Rescue Demonstration by U.S. Coast Guard Air Station and Coast Guard Auxiliary. Near O’Connell Bridge visitors facility. Contact LT Chris Enoksen, 966-5456 | |
| 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Sitka International Hostel open house. Public invited. 109 Jeff Davis St. Contact 752-5001 |
| 2 - 4 pm | Sitka Pioneer's Home Open House. Entertainment. Refreshments. Contact Kristi Greinier, 747-2121 |
| 2 - 5 pm | Open House at Brave Heart Volunteers (home visiting and respite care services). Information offered. Chowder, bread, and dessert sold as fundraiser. At Manager’s House next to Sitka Pioneers’ Home. Contact 747-4600 |
| 2 - 4 pm | Open House at Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool next to Sitka Pioneers’ Home. Children’s activity. Contact 966-2675 |
| 2:30 - 4:30 pm | “Traditional Activities for Children” at Sitka National Historical Park Visitors Center. Contact Clarence Wadkins, 747-0110 |
| 3 pm - 5:30 pm | Boat Cruise of waters of Sitka Sound and Japonski Island. Historian talks about WWII activities, places and events. No host bar. Snacks by Larkspur Cáfe. Boat services provided by Allen Marine. Load at 2:45 at Crescent Harbor. Fundraiser for Sitka Maritime Heritage Society. Tickets $45 per person available at Old Harbor Books. |
| 6 pm - 9 pm | Third Thursday Open Art Show sponsored by Sitka Artists Co-op. At Westmark Sitka banquet room. Contact Lisa Teas, 738-5620 or sitkaartists@gmail.com |
| 6:30 pm | Slave Auction to benefit local breast cancer awareness/Cancer Survivors Society. At Pioneer Bar on Katlian Street. Contact 747-3456 |
| Friday, October 19 | |
| Military guests including 9th Army Band depart on Alaska Airlines for Anchorage and Fairbanks. Military liaison MaryLou Vilandre, 747-8086 | |
| 9 am - 7 pm | Food booths and other sales by non-profit service organizations at Crescent Harbor Shelter area. Coordinated by Elaine Strelow, 747-3469 |
| 11:45 am | Seattle Firefighters Pipe Band members depart on Alaska Airlines. |
| 7 pm | Concert by Chuck Pyle, singing songwriter with guitar in contemporary western folk style. At Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi, 200 Katlian Street. Presented by Sitka Folk. $20 advance adult tickets, $15 advance senior/student, $5 more at door. www.sitkafolk.org |
| Saturday, October 20 | |
| 6:30 pm | Sitka Historical Society and Museum Annual Meeting doors open for exhibit viewing and membership renewals. 7:00 p.m. business meeting, followed by program topic Blue Lake Dam with panel presentation. Public invited. Refreshments/snacks. At Centennial Hall Exhibit Room. Contact Bob Medinger or Jackie Fernandez, 747-6455 |
| 2012 Festival trustees are Ted Allio (chairman), Joan Berge, Betty Conklin, Helen Cunningham (treasurer), Steve Dalquist (vice chairman), LT Chris Enoksen, Jen Houx, Lisa Langenfeld, Marsha McCrehin Lysons, Elaine Strelow (secretary), Linda Trierschield, and MaryLou Vilandre |