News Update

"sawdust and ice"

The theme for this year's celebration is "Sawdust and Ice", calling attention to the role of ice (and Swan Lake) in Sitka's economic and cultural history.

The Alaska Day Committee 2007 meets for planning at 7:00 pm at Harrigan Centennial Hall on Tuesdays: April 17, May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 11, 18, 25, October 2 and 9. For the roster of members, check out the Committee Page.

For the the 2007 Alaska Day Festival schedule of events, click here.

Alaska Day Parade 2006

Volunteers Needed

The Alaska Day Committee is seeking volunteers for the Alaska Day Festival activities such as the October 18, 1867 transfer ceremony (Sitka Ninth Infantry, and Russian Navy and Russian American Co.), the Alaska Day Ball, and Keystone Kops.

Steve Dalquist is enlisting men for the Sitka Ninth Infantry to simulate the newly arrived American forces of 1867 who marched through the streets of New Archangel and up the hill to the governor's residence for the historical October 18, 1867 transfer of Alaska from Russian Claim to the United States. He is inviting those interested in post-Civil War 1860s American military uniforms and black powder weapons to call him at 747-4835 or 747-1001. Assistance with costumes and weapons is also available.

The Russian Naval unit needs recruits who will march under the "imperial double-headed eagle" to Castle Hill for the transfer re-enactment, in which they lower the Russian flag. Those interested are asked to contact Bob Packard at 747-3786 or Ron Conklin at 747-3913 or 966-2281. Among the costumes provided are sailcloth shirts, imported dark wool pants, and the black wool, piped in white, "bezkozirki" official visorless cap that was first introduced in the Russian Navy in 1811.

Those interested to join the Keystone Kops are encouraged to contact Joan at 4Js Coffee or call 738-2640. Swearing-in of Keystone Kops at Totem Square by an Alaska Public Safety Academy officer will at noon on Friday, October 12th.

Historical Tidbit:

On March 29, 1867, Baron Eduard de Stoeckl, Russian minister to the United States, and William Henry Seward, secretary of state under President Andrew Johnson, completed the draft of a treaty ceding Russian North America to the United States, and the treaty was signed the following day.

Celebrating Alaska Day

In this place, Sitka, Alaska, on October 18, 1867, the great land of Alaska was transferred from Russia to the United States.

The Russian Double Eagle was lowered for the last time, and the Stars and Stripes made their first appearance over Alaskan soil in a ceremony formalizing the transfer of the territory of Alaska from Tsarist Russia to the United States of America at the incredible purchase price of approximately two cents per acre.

The first recorded celebration of Alaska Day, in 1949, was highlighted by the unveiling of the bronze statue of "The Prospector" on the lawn of the Pioneer's Home. Molded by sculptor Alonzo Victor Lewis in the image of William Fonda, better known as "Skagway Will", the two-ton statue is a tribute to Alaska's pioneers.