January 2008
Russian Christmas and Starring - January 7
For information, call St. Michael's Cathedral, (907) 747-8120 or write, St. Michael's Cathedral, P.O. Box 697, Sitka, Alaska 99835.
February 2008
Sitka
Jazz Festival and All-Alaska Honor Jazz Festival January 31-February 2
Come to Sitka and experience world-class jazz performances
and jazz education seminars. The event includes student
performances and guest musical greats.
Alaska
Airlines Winter Classics Concert Series February 10
It may be cold outside, but the musicians of the Sitka Music
Festival will provide plenty of heat and excitement to warm
up your winter. Call 907-747-6774 for tickets.
March 2008
Herring Fishery- Dates Depend Upon The Fish!
Wildlife is generally abundant as the herring gather and
spawn in Sitka waters. The actual herring fishery is "on
call" and the opening is announced by the Alaska Dept. of
Fish and Game. Call (907) 747-5940
for a free Sitka vacation guide or email: scvb@sitka.org and visit SItka during this unique opening!
Sitka Arti Gras - March 14-16
Regional Artists and Musicians get together. Workshops, live music and the Sitka Spring Gallery Walk are some of the events during this Sitka music and arts festival. For information call Vern Culp at (907) 747-6080. Email: sitkaartigras@gmail.com
Sitka Spring Festival - March 14-16
Activities include: Art show, street parade, street music and dancing, fun run, silent art auction and kids' fishing contest. For information call Kathy Baker at (907) 747-6331. Email: sitkaspringfestival@yahoo.com.
Traditional
Blessing of the Fleet - March 30
This annual Blessing is given to Sitka's Fishing Fleet. For information, call (907) 747-3338.
May 2008
Mother's Day
Quilt Show - May 4-17
An event sponsored by the Oceanwave Quilters Guild showing new and historic quilts. For information, call Jill Scheidt at (907) 747-3510.
24th Annual
Julie Hughes Triathlon - May 17
At the Hames Athletic & Wellness Center. Registration is May 16, 5-7pm at the center. 5 mile run, 10 mile bike ride and 1,000 meter swim. There is a short course for the 12 and under participants. All cyclists are required to have a bicycle safety check prior to the event. Athletes can compete on a team or individually. For information call Susan (907) 747-0519.
Sitka Salmon
Derby - May 24-26, 31, June 1
Catch prize-winning fish in the sparkling waters of Sitka. Cash or prizes. For information, contact the Sitka Sportsman's Association at PO Box 3030, Sitka, Alaska 99835, phone: (907) 747-6790.
June 2008
Sitka Summer Music Festival June 6-27, 2008
The 37th Annual Sitka Summer Music Festival will showcase classical chamber music of internationally acclaimed musicians. Festival performances include evening concerts at Harrigan Hall renowned for its breathtaking views of Sitka Sound. Other activities include a Brown Bag Lunch Series, Community Concert and Ice Cream Social, Crab Feed and other events. For schedule and ticket information, please contact the Sitka Summer Music Festival, P O Box 3333, Sitka, AK 99835 or call (907) 277-4852.
Email: director@sitkamusicfestival.org
Sitka Fine Arts Camp at Mt. Edgecumbe High School. June 9-13 Mini camp (1st-6th Grades), June 15-28 (6th-9th Grades), June 29-July 13 (10th-13th High school grades). Since 1973, the Fine Arts Camp has been attracting students ages 12-18 from Alaska and beyond to study the fine arts of theater, dance, music, visual arts, writing and Alaska Native arts. First class professional artists and skilled teachers are recruited throughout the country. For more information, contact: Sitka Fine Arts Camp, P O Box 3086, Sitka, AK 99835 - (907) 747-3085
or email: rschmidt@fineartscamp.org
The Island Institute's 24th Sitka Symposium June 18-22
Our theme for 2008 is "Gifts of Nature, Gifts of Culture: Who Owns the Commons?". The symposium will bring together an international group of writers, poets, essayists, tribal advocates and others for a week-long series of conversations. Anyone interested is encouraged to enroll for the full week's activities or come to particular sessions. Please call (907) 747-3794 for more information.
July 2008
Fourth of July
Celebration - July 2 - 4
A grand celebration complete with parade, demonstrations,
game and food booths, softball tournament, dance, and fireworks
display. Please check the newspaper for events.
HomeSkillet Music Fest - July 17 - 19
All ages music festival featuring local and out of town bands. Soul, Hip Hop, Blues and Garage Style Rock n Roll.
Admission. Various locations.
August 2008
13th
Annual Running of the Boots - Date to be determined
The annual Running of the Boots Fun Run. Lots of prize categories.
Proceeds benefit Sitka Works! Call
Sheila Finkenbinder at (907) 966-3066.
Mudball
Classic Softball Tournament - Labor Day Weekend October 30,31 and September 1. This annual Labor Day Weekend tournament
invites softball teams from around the nation to play in
Sitka. Email: webmaster@sitkasoftball.com
October 2008
Alaska
Day Festival - October 10 through 18, 2008
The actual transfer
ceremony occurred in Sitka when the United States purchased
Alaska from Russia in 1867. Celebrations include ceremonies,
a period costume ball, dances, dinners, contests, and a
parade. If you are flying in to Sitka for all of these festivities,
please visit: www.alaskaair.com for special rates! For information, contact
Alaska Day Festival Committee member Helen Cunningham, (907)
747-6738.
November 2008
Native
American Heritage Festival
For information
on the wide variety of activities, please call Sitka Tribe
of Alaska, (907) 747-3207. www.sitkatribe.org
Various annual events take place through this month, including the Annual Native Awareness Fashion Show, annual parade, and SItka National Historical Park's film series.
12th
Annual Sitka WhaleFest: A Celebration of Marine Wildlife
- November 7-9
Educational lectures from biologists and speakers, concert,
marine tours, and more! Space is limited! Advance reservations
recommended to guarantee admission to all events. For information,
call the Sitka Whalefest Committee at (907) 747-7964 or
email director@sitkawhalefest.org.
Sitka Whalefest, PO Box 6004, Sitka, AK 99835 USA
(907) 747-7964
Sitka's
Holiday Fest November-December
A celebration
of the holidays including the Christmas Bazaar, parade,
Holiday Concerts, Polar Dip, and extended shopping hours.
For details, please check the Daily Sitka Sentinel
December
2008
Landlubber's
Parade - December (Date to be announced)
This annual Christmas parade walks the downtown area in
celebration of the holiday season.
7th Annual Sitka Artisans Market - December 5-7
Held at Harrigan Centennial Hall. It
is a quality retail shopping experience, featuring hand-crafted items, primarily made in Alaska. Proceeds support the Sitka Business Resource Center at Sitka Works. For more information, call 966-3066. www.sitkaworks.org
October 2008 - January 2009
Whale Watching - October through
mid-December
The pristine waters around Sitka are a popular feeding ground
for humpback whales as they migrate South. View whales from
our new viewing station, Whale Park, or visit the Sitka
Convention & Visitors Bureau website, www.sitka.org
for a list of wildlife boat charter operators who can take
share these amazing marine mammals.
Russian Christmas - January 7
