The chamber still needs volunteers - and sponsors - to run events at the town's multiday Fourth of July celebration.

And there's just one big, bright, sparkly unknown. "The only worry is the fireworks," said Tracey Martin, executive director of the chamber of commerce, which organizes the holiday extravaganza.

Wrangell no longer has a certified pyrotechnician to take charge of the fireworks. "Someone in the fire department is working on passing their state-proctored test so that they can do the job, but I am told that it is a very difficult test to pass, so no guarantees," Martin said.

The backup plan would be to find someone with a license in Alaska and fly them into Wrangell to set off the rockets, she said. But there are fewer than 20 certified pyrotechnicians in the state, Martin said, and she fears most, if not all, will be busy setting off fireworks in their own towns.

Flying in someone from out of state really isn't feasible, she said, as that person would need to pass the Alaska test before they could go to work.

The chamber has already ordered fireworks for Wrangell's Fourth at a cost of about $12,000, which includes freight. Waiting too long to place the order would have risked missing out - there are only so many fireworks available in the country, she said.

Not only are the fireworks a keynote for the holiday celebration, but they also drive the scheduling of other events, Martin explained.

The chamber needs to schedule some events for July 2 and 3 so that it can clear off the City Dock early enough on July 3 for the crew to set up the fireworks for that evening. State law prohibits the public around explosives.

The theme for this year's celebration is "Small Town, Big Heart." Liubov Lofftus designed the logo.

The Alaska Airlines tournament at the Muskeg Meadows Golf Course will tee off the weekend before the Fourth. The rest of the events, games and activities will run July 2-4, and maybe July 1. The schedule is still being worked, Martin said.

"We're really trying to make it July 2, 3 and 4," even if it means "squishing" and overlapping some activities, she said.

The chamber hopes to have the schedule set by mid-May.

The monthlong fundraising for the Fourth will kick off on May 31 with the introduction of this year's royalty candidates. Sophia Martinsen, who will be a high school junior next year, has filed to run, with Martin noting there still is time for more candidates to come forward.

The deadline for royalty candidates to bring in their paperwork is May 16.

The contestants sell raffle tickets for a prize drawing, raising money for the chamber and earning money for college or other plans.

"Sophia really wants to beat her older sister's record," Martin said of Emma Martinsen's 2021 fundraising total of $98,556.

Anyone interested in joining the royalty competition can call or text Martin at 907-305-0685.

That's the same number to call for past volunteers who are willing to run Fourth events again this year, and for sponsors who are able to contribute money or prizes for the activities.

And if organizations want the same booth that they had last year, they need to call Martin to confirm the space. "Communication is important," she said, adding that downtown booth space is limited.

Sponsors are particularly important to help cover event costs, Martin explained. "We've been trying to run the chamber like a business," which last year included charging participants in some events.

"That's been a difficult change for Wrangell."

The chamber has struggled financially in recent years, losing money and draining its bank account. The borough, which had contributed to the Fourth for years, made its last donation in 2023.

Martin said the chamber succeeded in stabilizing its finances last year, thanks to a lot of hard work by board member Kimberly Szczatko, who served as the nonprofit organization's treasurer.