There will be Fourth of July parades in both Haines and Skagway, but they’ll be a little different this year.
Residents set off fireworks from Port Chilkoot Beach on July 4, 2016. (Emily Files)
An all-volunteer committee stepped-up to make the parade and adjacent events happen in Skagway. The municipality usually has several thousand out of town guests who enjoy the festivities. This year will be a local crowd, but otherwise…
“Surprisingly, not that much different,” said Jaime Bricker, who has helped organize the festivities many times before.
“We have a lot of the same events. The event schedule is actually bigger than I’ve seen in years past, very likely because, you know, people aren’t as busy catering to the tourist season and they’re able to take the time off to host an event. ”
Bricker says the events will be spread out across town to avoid everyone gathering in the same place. And some of the traditional events are going to look a little different to keep social distancing easy for attendees.
For example, all participants in the egg toss would usually line up in one area to go get their eggs. This year a cart will cruise down the street and deliver them to keep people from congregating. The annual softball championship will be a home run derby instead, since neighboring teams can’t travel to town. And a “to-go” box of activities will replace the National Park Service’s kid’s events.
Bricker said it’s a moment to celebrate safely, and for neighbors and families to support each other.
“For me personally, it has a lot to do with providing some normalcy and some activity for my kids. That’s a huge motivation for me,” she said.
She said it’s also an opportunity for businesses and individuals who have been struggling this season to get some business.
The Haines Chamber of Commerce briefly cancelled its Fourth of July Parade after the first cases of COVID-19 in the community. But director Tracey Harmon says it’s back on the books to stay—with an enhanced safety plan.
“I do feel like these protocols are to the best of our ability COVID-proof,” she said.
“A key part of our safety plan and our message [is] stay home if you’re sick, or if you have been exposed to anyone with COVID[-19].”
The Chamber organized a reverse parade, where the floats will stand still at the fairgrounds and onlookers will drive by and participate from the safety of their vehicles. Harmon said it’s a way for all members of the community to be able to enjoy the event.
Floats will be spaced fifty feet apart. Each float in the parade must register with the Chamber in advance—there’s a maximum of ten people to a float and all must be at six feet of social distance. All participants are asked to mask up.
Unless dry weather precipitates a burn ban, the Chamber will host a fireworks display at Picture Point at 11 p.m.
