July 4th is the biggest day of the year here. I suppose it's because it's in the middle of the summer but I'm not sure. The day began with the usual parade around town with many different entries all hand decorated with mostly traditional themes.
Patty and I drove one of the fire department ambulances and once again as we road along among the waving crowds, I felt a chill go up my spine. Who would have thought we would be living in the arctic among these wonderful people and doing the things we are doing? I am still in awe.
The day continued with the usual fair selling a variety of things from imported Domino's pizza and McDonalds hamburgers, to traditional homemade fried donuts and caribou chili. There were foot races, bike races, Quayk (kayak) races, tug of wars, Miss Arctic Circle and Miss Teen Arctic Circle contests, a beautiful baby contest, a muktuk (whale blubber) eating contest, and of course traditional Eskimo dancing.
The weather was beautiful and a good time was had by all.
We hope you had a good 4th and we hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we enjoyed taking them.
For problems or questions regarding this web contact
carlo@samsicles.net
Last updated:
08/29/05
.jpg "A local entry.")
.jpg "\"The Beatles\" in the arctic.")
.jpg "Patty next to the ambulance we drove in the parade.")
.jpg "The Volunteer Fire truck and Zodiac.")
.jpg "Some of the volunteers along with the fire Chief and John a firefighter.")
.jpg "One of the Police Department's finest on their 4 wheeler.")
.jpg "John in engine 12 along with a few passangers.")
.jpg "Last years reigning Miss Arctic Circle and Teen Miss Arctic Circle.")
.jpg "A couple of kids ready for the parade throwing candy to the masses.")
.jpg "Carlo getting ready to roll in the ambulance.")
.jpg "The Alaska National Guard.")
.jpg "A spectator sitting atop his anchored boat on front street.")
.jpg "Along the parade route.")
.jpg "Another local entry.")
.jpg "Kids in a float depicting a Quayk (Kayak) complete with harpoons and bb guns.")
.jpg "The department of transportation fire vehicle.")
.jpg "The Northern Lights Dancers.")
.jpg "Males doing traditional dancing.")
.jpg "More traditional dancing.")
.jpg)
.jpg "Contestants for the Miss Arctic Circle contest.")
.jpg "Some of these fur outfits have been handed down for years.")
.jpg "They are all hand made.")
.jpg "Miss Teen Arctic Circle with her \"sunrise\" ruff pulled up.")
.jpg "Another contestant.")
.jpg "Even the gloves are handmade.")
.jpg "The fair along with alot of people from town.")
.jpg "The most beautiful baby contest.")
.jpg "These outfits are also hand made.")
.jpg "It was a bit warm for all that fur.")
.jpg "Many of these outfits have been used for years also.")
.jpg "Traditional all the way down to the mukluks (boots).")
.jpg "Beautiful.")
.jpg "Muktuk-whale blubber ready to be eaten during the muktuk eating contest.")
.jpg "Going to town.")
.jpg "Our snowmachines strike a contrast to the gravel and daisies.")
.jpg "Awaiting the water skipping.")
.jpg "The race begins.")
.jpg "Those are snowmachines.")
.jpg "They are traveling around 40-50 miles per hour.")
.jpg "The crowds along the back bay.")
.jpg "They remove the seats and stand when racing.")
.jpg "Three of them make the turn.")
.jpg "Heading for the finish line.")
.jpg "Another heat takes off.")
.jpg "This is a pretty good picture where you can actually see it's a snowmachine.")