Ketchikan on July 4th

[firemox]

Hi All,

 

Does anyone here know what I can expect on July 4th at Ketchikan? Are all the shops, restaurants and parks going to close? How about excursions?

 

We plan to walk around and visit some of the more budget friendly places by bus/taxi.

 

Also, is there anything special going on that we can catch for free? July 4th parade? Fireworks show?

 

Many Thanks.

 

Jason

[bearbait]

Every store, tour and excursion will operate as normal on the 4th of July in Ketchikan. Your lucky to be there on that day. This is a community wide celebration. Rain or shine their 4th of July parade will happen. And it isn't a 10 minute affair either. Lots of activities going on there.

[starts60]

Th:)anks for the info Bear Bait, I am also going to be on the Star Princess cruise that day and was wondering the same thing

[starts60]

Firemox I have a thread going not to many on it yet but you might get some info from it

[rditton]

The 4th of July Parade is great fun!! Sorry, you won't see any fireworks as they are usually set off around 11pm when it's dark enough to see them! And, haha, that's of course if it's a clear night. If not, there are no fireworks until the next clear night.

 

There are all kinds of happenings going on at the Plaza Shopping Center (the Mall) which is located about 2 miles from the Cruise Ship Dock. Lots of booths, food, entertainment, etc.

 

There are actually 2 parades - the "Kiddie Parade" which is short, usually about 3 blocks but runs right on the main street in front of the Cruise Ships. It usually starts around 11:30'ish.

 

The main Parade usually starts around noon and runs from the Mall to Tatsuda's Grocery Store (or reverse!) and goes until 1:30/2:00. It's a long parade - and FUN! The schools all have their reunions that week and each year/decade has a float. Fun, fun.

 

The question about whether stores & tours will be affected is two-fold. The stores will be open, no question. The tours 'may' be affected as the Main street will be closed down for approx 3-4 hours. I know for a fact that certain tours can't run because the main street is closed off (tours that use a bus as their transportation). Some tours will walk their group across the street as there is a 'back road' but some just are not allowed to do that. So if there is a tour you're interested in, call them and ask their availability that day.

 

Long story short - it's a great day, lots of fun things going on, and during the road closure there will be limited tours going out. The rest of the day it's business as usual! :-) Have FUN!!!!

[rditton]

Oh, and free to watch (if you're still in town) is the Rubber Ducky Race! Everyone can buy numbered tickets (even Cruise Ship visitors!) and those numbers correspond to a number written on the bottom of a rubber duck. The rubber ducks are dumped into Ketchikan Creek where they float down the creek, over the waterfalls, and down to the Creek Street Bridge where the finish line is a set of yellow floats that open to a small opening. There is a boat at the finish line who collects the ducks that cross. The winning ducks win a cash prize. It's good fun, colorful, and tickets purchased benefit the Ketchikan Rotary.

 

There is also an ice cream social down by Ketchikan Creek as well, though the Star Princess leaves at noon so you won't be in town to experience it. Those folks on the Zuiderdam or Diamond Princess will though!