Wasilla Fourth of July parade, picnic draws thousands

WASILLA — When Wasilla throws a Fourth of July blowout, even some of America’s biggest names can’t stay away. The largest Fourth of July Parade in the city’s history even drew Uncle Sam and Santa Claus, who received rousing cheers from the thousands lining the downtown parade route Monday.

“I was so surprised and pleased at the real feeling of patriotism,” said Bert Hall, the parade’s grand marshal who dressed as Uncle Sam for the event. “The number of people who stood as we went by because we had the first American flag in the parade was great to see. Usually, it’s a very low number who stand, but a lot more did this year. It just does something to you.”

This year’s parade was so packed with entries that it lapped itself. Those in attendance could tell this is an election year, with a plethora of local political candidates making strong showings. But the crowd saved its loudest and longest cheers for the soldiers and equipment from the U.S. Army.

For the Bitler family, the parade and Wasilla Mayor’s Picnic at Iditapark after were a chance to celebrate the freedom the United States of America was founded on. That’s why 12-year-old Ben said he wasn’t embarrassed at all to sport a large red, white and blue stovepipe hat.

“Nope,” he said when asked if he felt silly. “It got it from our basement. I’m wearing it ’cause it’s the Fourth of July.”

He also reflected on a trip the family took to Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pa. That put more perspective on the meaning of Independence Day, he said.

“Yeah, and mostly what I noticed there is it had electric outlets,” chimed in younger brother Daniel, 8.

“I’ve been to the parade tons of times,” Daniel said, adding his favorite part is gathering all the candy handed out by the various floats and entries. In fact, Ben, Daniel and 7-year-old sister Emily all had empty ice cream buckets to hold their hauls.

“I threw up in this bucket,” Daniel said. “It’s OK. Mom always washes it.”

When asked to finish the sentence, America is …, the Bitler kids were quick to respond.

“I think of the parade,” Emily said.

“America is the United States,” Ben said. “It means free, everybody has a free right.”

“I just think of being united,” adds mom, Wanda. “I think of everybody coming together, no matter what race or nationality.”

“And whenever we argue,” Daniel quipped.

Across the street in the parking lot at Mat-Su Central Fire Station No. 1, volunteer firefighters Jarvis Rabb and Clay Nelson prepared for their parts in the parade. Rabb, a firefighter for less than a year, carried the American flag to lead off the department’s trucks in the parade, while Nelson had the Alaska flag.

Carrying the American flag in a Fourth of July parade is a huge, huge honor,” Rabb said. “It’s the biggest honor ever. I’m kind of nervous, actually. We were just going to hand out candy, but one of our medics came over and said no, you can do this.”

Like many other young boys, Rabb said he dreamed of becoming a firefighter while growing up.

“Absolutely, I wanted to be a firefighter as a kid,” he said. “It’s everything I’ve dreamed of, everything and better.”

For Rabb, America is “the way of life, freedom, the greatest country ever in the world.”

That’s a sentiment shared by Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club member Nancy Hall, who spent the better part of the young afternoon serving up hot dogs to hungry people at the Wasilla Mayor’s Picnic.

“America is a great country,” she said. “I’ve lived in other countries and I can really say it’s worth it up here. We’re democratic, we’re capitalistic, we’re not socialistic and you have your chance and you’re allowed to be whoever you want to be.”

Hall was among more than a half-dozen Rotarians grilling and serving free hot dogs. It’s something the club has done for the past decade, and it serves more every year. Last Fourth of July, the club grilled up 1,800 hot dogs and had 2,500 on hand Monday.

“I love it,” said club president John Warner. “We’re the most popular people here. It’s a dog eat dog world.”

Warner also commented on competitive eater Joey Chestnut, who earlier in the day won the annual Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest by downing 62 dogs in 10 minutes.

How would Warner fare in a similar contest?

“Is my wife here?” he joked. “If my wife isn’t here, maybe two.”

After waving his arms as grand marshal until they were sore, Bert Hall took a breather at the park.

“It’s a great opportunity to see so many smiling faces,” he said. “People were just absorbed by the patriotism. You could see it.”

For Wasilla’s Uncle Sam for a day, America is “a wonderful place to live in,” he said. “I’m dangling a participle, aren’t I?”

As the grand marshal settled down for a brief rest, the Bitler children were scrambling for parade candy and goodies. And while brother Daniel’s bucket may be suspect, Emily believes hers is clean.

“I don’t think I ever threw up in this one,” she said, adding it’s possible “because we have a lot of buckets. We use them as helmets, too.”

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