September 13, 2008
Saturday

Ketchikan, Alaska - Five local groups have joined together to organize Ketchikan's celebration of 50 years of Alaskan statehood.

Historic Ketchikan, The Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce, the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, the Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough, and the City of Ketchikan have banded together to promote 50 local events to commemorate Alaska's statehood.

The year-long celebration of statehood will kick off January 9th with a statehood history presentation at the Discovery Center and will conclude on Dec. 31, 2009 with special New Year's Eve ball.

"We decided that rather than have one large event, we would invite the entire community to be involved and coordinate to have 50 smaller events," said Kathleen Light of the Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council. "Because there are so many events there will be a wide variety of the types of celebrations; some will be historically accurate, some fun and some educational. Something for everyone!"

In addition to new events, the group is working with other local organizations to include existing events such as the Monthly Grind, the Enchanted Forest, the Blueberry Festival and the KRBD Halloween Party to incorporate special Statehood themes. Local businesswoman Rita Carro is working with the groups as well, to bring the statehood celebrations into the school system through a variety of poetry and essay contests and history and genealogy projects with local school children.

Also in the works are longer term events such as a "Guess the Day When the 50th Inch of Precipitation Falls" contest.

"Ketchikan has such an abundance of active and engaged citizens that we wanted to give everyone an opportunity to participate and observe the statehood anniversary in their own way. Fraternal organizations, non-profits, schools and local businesses are all encouraged to get involved", said Dave Kiffer. "It is our hope that our group can continue to work collaboratively to assist any or all organizations wishing to participate".

A banner is being commissioned to follow each of the scheduled 50 events throughout the year, collecting symbols or signatures of each event or activity along the way. The 50 for 50 organizers hope the banner will be permanently displayed to commemorate the year-long statehood celebration.

On the Web:

Alaska's road to statehood
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/ASCC/history.php

Source of News:

The Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce
www.ketchikanchamber.com/

 

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