City of Wasilla celebrates Fourth of July with community

WASILLA — The City of Wasilla’s annual Fourth of July Parade and Mayor’s Picnic drew a large number of attendees.

“It was great. I couldn’t be happier with the turnout,” Wasilla Mayor Glenda Ledford said. “I think the community was ready for it. It’s just about freedom. It’s a continuation of a celebration of who we actually are. “

The parade featured an array of new and familiar floats that made their way from Wasilla High School through downtown Wasilla and finishing around the Iditapark where the Mayor’s Picnic is held each year.

Ledford said that she always enjoys seeing the community come together during this well attended summer tradition.

“I’ve lived here 40 years and this is home and it brings my heart joy to see all these people,” Ledford said “This is the City’s way of saying thank you to our citizens.”

The Mayor’s Picnic featured a variety of activities for all ages including bounce houses, live music and free hot dogs.

Venita Hale of the Pony Wheel Ranch said the parade brings in a lot of people who make their way to the park. She said it was a fun and busy day giving children the opportunity to ride horses and ponies throughout the day.

“People are happy to see us,” Hale said. “It’s just a nice community event. People really participate here. It was packed. I think it’s a hit here for the Mayor’s Picnic.”

First Baptist Church Wasilla, First Baptist Church Palmer, CrossCountry Church, and Agape Fellowship ran shaved ice booths and a bounce house during the event through the Hatcher Pass Baptist Association.

According to Hatcher Pass Baptist Association administrative secretary Shirley Bearce, they have participated in the Mayor’s Picnic for over a decade.

“This is always one of our favorite days,” Bearce said.

Tyrone Palmer of the local rock and roll band Glacier Hoppers said that he’s been been a part of the Mayor’s Picnic for several years and he’s thankful for the opportunity to provide live music for the event.

“I love it,” Palmer said. “The people out here were wonderful, definitely a great occasion to play for. Wasilla is just amazing. I feel very blessed. It means a lot and I’d love to do it again next year.”

Palmer said it’s important to have annual traditions like this so the community can collectively enjoy the freedoms that were made possible by the sacrifices of the U.S. military.

“We need to pass it onto our children so they know how it’s supposed to be done. For all the men and women in service that fight for us every day to give us all the freedoms that we do have. I take my hat off to all of them,” Palmer said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com