Uh-oh, Eb, got any rustoleum?? It'll take more than a quick dusting to get my mandolin ready!

Jennie, I'm so sorry I'll miss you! I'll be at the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend on the fourth!

Now, about that parade....(ahem, Ebbie)   Ebbie's right (sort of...) It IS a small town parade. That's what makes it so delightful! There ARE fresh flowers (people throw them from the floats, along with a wide assortment of candies) There ARE lots of theme floats, although not nearly as many as down south parades, and certainly not as elaborate. There have been horses in the parade in the past, both privately owned and also an ocassional appearance by the RCMP. But there haven't been horses in several years, as I recall. There is one Marching Band, and I take great care to choose my viewing spot every year, in order to hear their rendition of John Phillips Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever." Thee is also a Bagpipe band which does a great "Scotland the Brave."

Ebbie's right.....Juneau people are fond of their parade, as small-town as it is. I don't know of any other single event in town which brings everyone out! (Not even the folk festival!)

The fireworks display is usually the night before, at midnight, weather permitting. If it's raining too hard or the cloud cover is too low, the display will be at midnight on the fourth. (They have to wait 'til midnight cause it's not dark enough 'til then.)

According to my schedule, you're due to arrive at 8 am and depart at 9 pm. If you do intend to tour somewhere, I'd suggest you go before ten or after one, to avoid delays created by the parade.

Have a great trip!! Bon Voyage!
KT