It was on October 18th, 1867, that the Russian Double Eagle was lowered for the last time in Sitka, then the capital of Russian America, formalizing the transfer of the territory of Alaska to the United States. Every year, the state celebrates the occasion on October 18th.

Alaska was purchased from Russia on March 29th, 1867 for the sum of $7.2 million, or two cents an acre, but it wasn’t until October 18th that the commissioners could make it to Alaska to arrange the formal transfer. During the formal transfer, there were 250 U.S. troops, as well as 100 Russian troops in attendance, as the flag was raised for the first time over the territory.

Alaska Day is an official state holiday, and so, state government offices, the court system, state library, schools and many business are closed for the occasion. Alaska Day was celebrated for the first time in 1949. It was during that first celebration, that the bronze statue named “The Prospector,” by Alonzo Victor Lewis, was unveiled in Sitka as a tribute to Alaska’s pioneers.

The annual celebration is Sitka is abbreviated this year according to reports. At last word, the Army Band will not be in attendance and the Coast Guard has cancelled its open house as well as the race and fly-over. These cancellations are a result of the governenment shutdown that is barely over, but the celebration, as cut back as it is, will go on according to organizers.

It was learned as well that the Army National Guard was not able to bring in its vehicles for the parade this year. The vehicles made it as far as Juneau before the government shutdown and made it no further. This year, contractors at the Blue Lake dam are bringing in large excavators to pick up some of the slack. Elaine Strelow, in charge of the scheduling and publicity for the event, welcomes the construction companies efforts and says, “The equipment from the construction companies will be an interesting addition.”

Elaine said of the Army’s cancellation, “We will very much miss the presence of the U.S. Army,because the Army has had a significant interaction with the festivities for 55 years.”

Calling it a piece of good news, Elaine said she was informed by the United States Coast Guard that the “Officers and crew of the ‘Maple’ will be able to participate in the parade.”

Elaine says she is also looking forward to the various youth groups from Mt Edgecumbe wearing their traditional attire in the parade and says that she enjoys them every year.

This year is also the 50th anniversary of the Alaska Ferry System, and so is the theme of this year’s Alaska Day event. the Alaska Marine Highway system will have a float depicting the fast ferry M/V Fairweather in the parade.

The festivities in Sitka began last weekend and continue on through to Saturday. The weather in Sitka today is overcast with a chance of rain this afternoon, hopefully, the weather will hold off and not rain on Sitka’s parade.