Enjoy an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration at the annual Juneau Fourth of July Parade. The 2018 theme is “Volunteers: Fabric of Our Community.” You’ll see first-hand just how committed local volunteers are with incredible decorations, family-friendly events, and a famous parade that winds through the streets of downtown showering candy on the spectators.

With Grand Marshal Cathy Muñoz leading the parade, a lifelong Juneau resident elected to the State House in 2008, it’s a full day of entertainment, great eats, and games before the fireworks show. In July, Alaska features about 19 hours of daylight—which means the fireworks go off later than anywhere else in the US. It’s not uncommon for the darkest hour to be close to midnight.

What to Expect

Start your day with a hearty breakfast of pancakes and reindeer sausage. The noon parade officially kicks off the events. You’ll see vintage muscle cars, local notables, and competitive floats taking over the streets of downtown. Afterward, parties pop up all over town including the official party in the park.

Some parade-goers slip away to their Juneau hotel for a quick nap before the late-time fireworks. Others hop from festival to fete as the entire town gets patriotic for the biggest summer holiday. If you’re lucky enough to be in Juneau this July, get ready for a Fourth you’ll never forget.