A car decorated in Skagway's July 4th parade in 2014. (Ivan Wong Rodenas/Flickr Creative Commons)

A car decorated in Skagway’s July 4th parade in 2014. (Ivan Wong Rodenas/Flickr Creative Commons)

Skagway has a full line-up of events to celebrate Independence Day. The festivities start July 3rd with a softball tournament kickoff at Seven Pastures, a book launch party at the Skagway News Depot, a street party at the Pizza Station and a street dance on Broadway.

Around 11 p.m. on the 3rd, Skagway resident Jeff Hamilton’s fireworks display will happen in the bay in front of the ferry dock.

July 4th events start with a 5K fun run that lines up at 3rd and Broadway at 8 a.m. At 9:30, a mini kiddie parade starts at 2nd Avenue. And that’s followed by the main parade at 10 a.m. Grand Marshals are all current and former service members in town and Dan Henry is the Emcee.

The parade is followed by a basketball competition starting at 11 on 3rd and Broadway. Firefighters are serving philly cheese steaks starting at 11:30, and more food and beer will be served by the Red Onion Saloon from noon to 4.

Other afternoon events include kids games, live music, the world-record-breaking egg toss, tug-of-war, a hot dog eating contest, pie eating contest, arm wrestling, a horse shoe contest and a corn hole tournament.

The 20th annual Duck Derby starts at 5 p.m. in Pullen Pond. More plastic ducks than ever will compete in the race – about 1,500 of them. The first one to float to the finish line wins a $1,000 prize. The race is the Skagway Chamber of Commerce’s largest yearly fundraiser.

The night will end with live music on 4th Avenue between State and Main.