U.S.A. Independence Day - Haines, Alaska

July 4th, posted on the 5th....  (Canadians need to stop complaining about poor internet service)

Haines, Alaska, population give or take 1,500.  The big story of the day, and it will be in all the newspapers today, is the 4th of July parade.  Having viewed the July 1st parade in Haines Junction, Yukon we were anxious to see what the good citizens of this small coastal Alaska town would come up with.  Well, they certainly did not disappoint us.

The parade began at 11:00 with a bang, or make that boom as a canon was fired across town in Fort Seward.  A flock of pigeons were released or maybe they were just frightened from their perch by the booming canon.

Weather conditions were less than ideal for a parade.  Light rain fell throughout.  Given the size of the crowds that lined Main Street I think the entire town turned out.  Everyone was in a party mode, especially the kids who were all carrying small sacks or containers.  I think the kids were more interested in gathering up the candy that was being thrown from floats and vehicles.  Some candy landed at my feet and when I went to scoop it up, from out of nowhere came a laser beam of a kid.  Boom!  The candy and the kid were gone.  I must be getting old, and slow.  Maybe just slow…

At the head of the parade was the traditional colour guard.  Following were a variety of floats, vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, lawn tractors, emergency service vehicles, dancers, clowns, dogs and a real marching band,  or maybe it was just a bunch of musicians strolling down the street.

After the parade passed we walked a couple of blocks to a park where we bought brauts, pie and ice-cream for lunch.  We then headed back to the motel to make tea and coffee.  We will dry out and then head over to Fort Seward to check out the local scene in that end of town.

Enjoy the photos.  A real slice of Alaskan patriotism.  As Jack Know would say, it was”wry, with a twist”.   We depart tonight at 11:00 p.m. found for Prince Rupert.  We arrive there on the 7th.  No internet between here and there.  Maybe something will come up worthy of posting on the 7th or 8th??  'Til then.......

Crowd favourite....

Colour guard at the start of the parade.

                           

Dude in the hat wearing a 1981 Rose Bowl "Huskies" jacket.  Do Dawgs!!

The demographics indicate an aging population but there are plenty of kids in town.

Alaska Mining Association.  This community is bitterly divided.  One side for resource extraction , and the other equally opposed.  Not sure where they will end up.  Hope they find middle ground.

Chilkat Dancers.  Response from the crowd was tepid, at best...

Smallest float in the parade.

Clown on the road and one behind the wheel.  The sign in the window of the truck reads "I'm not searing any pants"

End of the parade

Bonus of the day.  In the afternoon we drove 12k out of town to the Chilkat State Park.  On the return we saw this moose!  Proof once again that if you want to see wildlife you have to venture further out than your front door.