Anchorage Marks Independence Day with Parade

The mood was jubilant, although extra safety precautions were taken in light of the tragic accident that stopped the recent Pridefest parade.

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By Bill McAllister
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Story Created: Jul 5, 2011 at 11:13 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Jul 5, 2011 at 11:17 AM AKDT

An estimated 15,000 people watched the Independence Day parade at the Delaney Park Strip in downtown Anchorage.

The mood was jubilant, although extra safety precautions were taken in light of the tragic accident that stopped the recent Pridefest parade.

The extraordinary diversity of anchorage was on display.

Across cultures, lifestyles and professions, both in the traditional parade and through informal gatherings on the park strip, a movable melting pot celebrated America's sovereignty and freedom.

There were dogs in the parade, as well, representing a non-profit group that matches them with disabled people in need of assistance.

 "It was amazing,” said Alexis Cobb of Alaska Assistance Dogs. “I was speechless. I was speechless because you see all these dogs who are helping so many people and changing so many lives and, you know, I don't think I heard anything negative."

Parade Mistress of Ceremonies Kimberly Mendez clearly dressed for the occasion.

"I'm a huge supporter of the military. I wear my husband's and my dad's dog tags. I have my earrings. I have my shirt. It's a very important day for me because I grew up military, I’m married to the military, and it's because of our military that we have the freedoms that we do."

A new non-profit called Alaska Fairs and Festivals took over the Independence Day celebration this year.

Project Manager Darl Schaaff says that safety was a particular concern, following the recent death in the Pridefest parade, in which a man was accidentally run over by the grand marshal's vehicle.

Schaaff deployed about two dozen volunteer marshals this morning, about three times the normal number.

"We gave them a full safety course this morning,” he said. “We actually had written up guidelines for this, and we hadn't had them before -- that written guideline. So we sort of institutionalized safety. We reiterated the fact that things can't be thrown from floats and handed out even from floats, that sort of thing. Nothing that would encourage people to come into the street."

The parade concluded without incident.

And Anchorage marked another year of American independence.

 

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Debra Crump Beck said on Saturday, Jul 16 at 8:49 AM

Did I see people walking around a float? Unacceptable! What will it take in AK to get the message, another fatality?

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