Fourth of July events for Talkeetna residents

Independence Day events are gearing up for the holiday weekend in Talkeetna.

This year, as was the case last year, a few events from the former Moose Dropping Festival will be held on Fourth of July.

The Moose on Parade participants and everyone else involved with the Fourth of July parade will meet at the old Christian Center parking lot to organize.  The parade, as always, starts at high noon.

This year, the VFW Post 3836 will be holding a Fourth of July pig roast and potluck at the VFW starting at 2 pm.   Residents are all invited to bring a dish and take part.

This year, there has been a revival of the VFW Moose Dropping raffle.  Tickets are currently on sale around town. Post Commander Buddy Gray says people can purchase tickets at Twister Creek Restaurant, Latitude 62, Mountain High Pizza, Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge Bar, Sheldon Air and the VFW Post until Friday.  On Saturday thru Monday, the VFW will have a small sales booth set up on Main Street for those interested in purchasing a chance.  The moose nugget drop itself will take place at 2 pm on Monday, just before the start of the barbeque.

The Moose on Parade auction will have a musician warm up at the Talkeetna Village park pavilion starting at 2 pm.  The actual auction starts around 3:30.  The annual auction of decorated plywood moose raises money for the Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society as well as the Talkeetna Artists Guild.  Organizer of the event, Suzy Kellard, says they expect about 20 participants this year.

Residents and visitors can continue the fourth of July festivities into the evening with the Denali Arts Council’s on going sketch comedy “how to make love like an Alaskan” which is held every week throughout the summer Sunday thru Wednesday with a special $10 rate for locals.