Thousands turn out for annual parade, picnic

WASILLA — Celebrating Independence Day is a big deal here.

That’s why organizers of the annual Wasilla Fourth of July Parade rolled out a new 1.5-mile downtown route, about a half-mile longer than previous routes. Even allowing for growth and a new staging area for the nearly 1,200 parade participants, it may not have been enough.

“The route had better flow this year,” said Lyn Carden, Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce executive director and parade organizer. “I think the staging worked really, really well, but I think any time you have 100 parade entries over a mile-and-a-half route, there’s always something you’ve got to work out. This year we tried having (the parade) intersect at Lucille and Swanson.”

That, she said, is something that likely won’t be repeated next year. But with the city and Mat-Su Borough growing at an impressive clip, so has attendance and participation in the Valley’s primary Fourth of July parade. This year, the overall number of entries was down a little bit at 97, Carden said, but those entries included a record 1,200 participants. Last year, the parade had 110 entries, 100 in 2010 and 80 in 2009. Adding another half mile to the route helped, Carden said, but it’s still crowded taking into consideration the estimated 5,000 people who lined the streets to watch.

“Between the parade and the picnic, it’s a good community feel and you’re able to enjoy it,” she said, referring to the annual Mayor’s Picnic at Iditapark. The picnic begins after the parade and features free hot dogs and kids games.

Among those thousands celebrating America’s independence were sisters Katie and Kira Christiansen. Both dressed in their finest red, white and blue dresses and hair ribbons, 3-year-old Katie was too shy to talk about the Fourth of July, but Kira, 6, knew what all of the hubbub was about.

“It’s America’s birthday,” she said, adding she doesn’t know how old America is (it’s 236 years young).

Along with mom Cassandra and dad Kyle, the family had staked out its usual parade watching spot. “We’re here every year sitting right here,” Kyle said. “It’s some strange addiction, I guess.”

Another scratching her patriotic itch was Betty Twitchell, turning out for her first Wasilla parade. She moved to the Valley last September from Bethel, where for years she organized that town’s Fourth of July parade.

“There, half the town is in the parade, and if you’re not in it, you’re at it,” she said. “This is kind of exciting. My granddaughter (8-year-old BettyJo) is in the parade with the Girl Scouts. They’re all in little tutus. Her mother and I made little red, white and blue tutus for the group last night.”

Although a parade and picnic on the Fourth is fun, Twitchell said she doesn’t forget what the day means to Americans.

“This is our country’s celebration,” she said. “It’s about being patriotic. This is my country. This is a day to celebrate it and holler it out that this is a good place.”

Nearby at the corner of Knik Street and Swanson Avenue, 8-year-old Layne Buchanan waited excitedly for the start of the parade, bag in hand to collect candy.

When asked what the Fourth of July means, he tied the holiday in with military service.

Being free means “you’re not slaves, and there are bosses, but they’re not too bossy,” he said.

With a sideways glace at his mother, Rebecca Buchanan, Layne added, “Although you boss me around.”

For Rebecca, the parade is also a time to think about how lucky people are to live in the United States.

“I take for granted what it really means, because it’s something we’re born into, but I think about freedom of religion and who we are and who God created us to be; to serve and be served,” she said.

Close by, an excited 6-year-old eager to share her knowledge of the Fourth of July chimed in with what she’s learned: “My daddy said he can drink all the beer he wants today.”

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.