Fireworks light up the night sky over Wrangell on July 3, 2022, as part of the town's Fourth of July festivities.
Kaiya Roher paddles her boat in the crazy craft race during last year's Fourth of July festivities.
Robert Wiederspohn, left, competes against his son, Hunter Wiederspohn, during last year's log rolling competition at City Dock on July 3, 2022. The younger Wiederspohn won the bout.
Teacher Matt Nore, right, takes a pie to the face during the Pie a Public Servent event on June 2, 2022 at Volunteer Park, as Evergreen Elementary principal Ann Hilburn reacts.
Children ride on the top of engines from the Wrangell Fire Department during the Fourth of July parade downtown on July 4, 2022. People lined both sides of Front Street as the trucks, veterans, other vehicles and marchers passed by.
A dog donning red, white and blue fur dances for a treat during the dog show last year.
From towering Christmas trees to black light Halloween parties, Wrangell goes hard for the holidays. With the community's most spectacular celebration - the Fourth of July - just around the corner, event organizers are putting the finishing touches on the event schedule. Here are some of the highlights that attendees can look forward to:
The festivities kick off with a picnic and pie-eating contest at 1 p.m. Saturday outside the Irene Ingle Public Library.
On Sunday, kids will fish at City Dock from 10:30 a.m. to around 3 p.m. Then, dog owners and dog lovers alike will get together for the dog show, a canine competition that will put dogs' speed, agility and loyalty to the test. In the evening, Wrangellites can vent their frustrations about the municipal government at the Pie a Public Servant event at 6 p.m. at the chamber of commerce Front Street pavilion.
Teacher Matt Nore, school district superintendent Bill Burr, chamber board member Omid Rahmanian, future Fourth of July king Ander Edens, high school principal Ann Hilburn and assembly member Brittani Robbins have willingly submitted to being pie-ed.
On Monday, the community will display its superior sportsmanship. Marksmen will show their skills at the target competition, which starts at 8 a.m. at the shooting range. Wrangell youth will put their creativity to the test during the noon Crazy Craft race at City Dock, where kids on pool floats, inflatable mattresses and handmade or unorthodox vessels of all kinds fight to the finish line - and to stay afloat. At 1 p.m., adult paddlers will take their place for the canoe race.
That evening at 6 p.m. at the Nolan Center, wearable art and talent shows will exhibit the community's many brilliant singers, dancers and visual artists. Once the show is over, Ander Edens, who has been working all month to sell raffle tickets to help pay for the annual holiday festivities, will be crowned Fourth of July king. Attendees will then make their way outside for the fireworks show at dusk.
On the Fourth, after three straight days of revelry, Wrangell will rally to watch the 11 a.m. parade down Front Street. Three lucky royalty raffle winners will be drawn immediately following. At 1 p.m., participants in the logging show will display their athletic prowess and honor Wrangell's logging history in events like handsaw bucking and the underhand axe chop. The event is held in front of City Dock.
After street games and boat racing throughout the afternoon, downtown will become a dance floor as Wrangell's family band, the Powers, and Washington-based soul singer Blake Braley take the stage for a live concert in the evening.
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