This time of year in Alaska, there is very little darkness. If you're North of 66 degrees latitude, there's none at all. So, how do you do the traditional 4th of July fireworks displays we all associate with a traditional 4th?
In the lower 49 (this includes Hawaii,) we are all accustomed to spending the 4th stuffing our food-hole and drinking all manner of liquid that isn't particularly good for our bodies, then hop in the car and drive towards town to stake out a spot on a rooftop or grassy patch to view the best fireworks displays we will see all year after sundown, usually at 9pm or 10pm local time.
Alaska has a different tradition.
Summer solstice having just passed, sunset and nightfall are simply a technical term North of 60 and many locations don't have a sunrise or sunset at all for many weeks in a row. The darkest (a very relative term depending on how far North or South you are) part of the day is usually around midnight to 1am. If you want to see the fireworks, you need to do them then.
All across Alaska, we gather shortly before midnight tonight, July 3rd, and prepare ourselves for the midnight hour.
Here in Juneau, the State Capital at 58.3000° N, we gather at the docks with the cruise ships, many of which stay in port until after midnight, and watch a modest but exciting display launched from a barge in the Gastineau Channel. The Fourth is a day of parades that cross the channel to Douglas Island and beach picnics galore!
Juneau
July 3rd
Fireworks display on Gastineau
Channel commencing at 11:59 pm.
July 4th
Juneau Parade travels through the streets
of downtown Juneau starting at 11 AM.
July 4th
Douglas Parade starts at 2 PM
In Anchorage, Mat-su Valley and Eagle River, at 61.2167° N, they also have midnight displays, though this years fireworks have been cancelled because much of the state is ablaze and the fire danger is just too high.
Anchorage
4th of July Fireworks Extravagana
The Anchorage Glacier Pilots and Anchorage Bucs face off in this annual Fourth of July double header for some of the best summer collegiate baseball action in Alaska.
Gates open at 4:30 pm, first game starts at 6 pm, and the Fireworks Extravaganza begins at 12 midnight!
Mat-Su Valley
July 4th Community Celebration with Fireworks
11:30 p.m. Friday
Fireworks Show in Wasilla
Fairbanks, at 64.8436° N, and points North of there, where there is no darkness at all this time of year, it's mostly fairs and picnics: Fireworks just don't work. except for the "bang-y" kind.
Fairbanks
July 4th Celebration at Pioneer Park
Community celebration including food, family activities, craft bazaar, entertainment, military colors ceremony, Air Force fly-over, and much more. More info at www.co.fairbanks.ak.us/ParksandRecreation/PioneerPark/
North Pole Community 4th of July Celebration
North Pole Community Summer Festival and Fourth of July Celebration. Festivities include entertainment, food, activities, and a parade. Other activities-Mayor's Picnic, kid's fishing derby, and the 5th Avenue Block Party. More info at www.northpolealaska.com
So when you head out to watch the fireworks tomorrow, remember, Alaska got there first. We celebrate with fireworks at midnight as the Fourth dawns, and still have the whole next day to celebrate and imbibe (drinking AND smoking!) with no need to drive to see the fireworks.
Happy Fourth everybody, whenever you may do your fireworks!
1:36 PM PT: UPDATE: The photo attribution doesn't seem to be working. Here it is:
"Boats anchored in Juneau’s harbor watch the fireworks. (Photo by Heather Bryant)"
Sorry 'bout that, Heather.