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Unalaska's PCR To Host Modified Fourth Of July Parade Highlighting Unalaskan Pride

KUCB Staff

The City of Unalaska's Department of Parks, Culture, and Recreation will be hosting a Fourth of July Parade on Saturday. 

In lieu of a fireworks show—which was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, the uncertainty of air travel, and quarantine requirements—the PCR will be holding a parade that meets local and statewide health mandates.

 

The parade route has been extended to help community members observe social distancing regulations.

 

"So for this year, with all of the different COVID restrictions that were set upon us, we got creative and extended our parade route," said PCR Special Events Coordinator Nichel Kernin. "So it will go from the start of Cathedral Way, down by the Russian Orthodox Church, all the way down to Eagle's View Elementary School." 

 

Kernin said it has been a challenge coordinating the event this year, but wants to make sure the community still has an opportunity to have fun and celebrate the holiday together. 

 

She's hoping the addition of more categories will help encourage Unalaskans to get creative with their floats, and incorporate music and presentations.

 

"There's the Best Use of Theme: 'Unalaskan Pride,' Best with Animals, Judge's Favorite, Best of Show, and Best of Cars, Trucks, and Machinery," Kernin said. "For most of these, there are trophies, which are new and different this year. And then for Best with Animals and Best of Cars, Trucks, and Machinery, we have a couple of different prizes." 

 

While there will be no hot dog eating contest or the usual announcer's float this year—to prevent people from gathering—Kernin said, the PCR has its own float lined up, along with a fun surprise. She didn't provide details, but said it may involve a performance. 

 

Similarly, there will be no kid's PCR biking group, only three people will be allowed on each float, and in place of floats throwing candy, PCR staff will be handing out goodie bags.

 

Commentating and judging will take place as floats pass the Burma Road Chapel. 

 

Kernin said she hopes that community members respect one another by following guidelines, such as practicing social distancing and wearing face coverings. 

 

"We're also just asking that participants viewing the parade  wear masks if they're able to do so, and be respectful of what we've had to do to have this parade because we're really lucky to have it," Kernin said. "The city manager approved it, the City Council, the [Emergency Operations Center]—we've worked really hard to bring the parade to the community, when most of the communities in the state have decided not to have theirs." 

 

Weather permitting, speakers will be set up throughout the route and KUCB will be broadcasting the performance of the Star Spangled Banner, live commentary, and float descriptions on 89.7 FM and Channel 8 TV. The parade will also be live-streamed on KUCB's Facebook page.

 

The parade line-up will begin on Saturday, July 4,  at 11 a.m. on Bayview Drive, and the parade will commence at noon.

Hailing from Southwest Washington, Maggie moved to Unalaska in 2019. She's dabbled in independent print journalism in Oregon and completed her Master of Arts in English Studies at Western Washington University — where she also taught Rhetoric and Composition courses.
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