Cheers and car horns echoed across the Fort Seward waterfront following the finale of the biggest fireworks display in memory Sunday.

“They were amazing. The best I’ve ever seen in Haines,” said Jessy Shaw, who watched from the beach.

Launched from the Port Chilkoot Dock, the fireworks brightened a cool, gray Independence Day celebration that featured town traditions like the Ripinsky Run and Mad Raft Race. The temperature July 4 peaked at 55 F.

Fears of igniting the dock dogged the fireworks plan but fire chief Scott Bradford said the show went smoothly. “I actually feel more comfortable with it on the dock,” as south winds could send sparks into the hillside above Picture Point, he said.

Three firemen were stationed on the dock as a precaution and they hosed down the dock before and after the display. Bonfires dotted the beach and private fireworks lit the sky. “It was great. It brought everybody together all in one place,” Shaw said.

Earlier, crowds turned out on Main Street for the annual parade, led by grand marshal Bob Henderson and featuring 22 entries.

Annette Smith spearheaded the winning float that likened the town to good wine, aged to perfection.

Robert Venables, who organized the judges, said there was no contest for first place. “It was a contest for runner up.”

The Saw Shop float was second place and the Cub Scouts and American Legion color guard placed third.

The winning float re-enacted a family scene in which the late Ted Gregg had daughter K.A. stomp a vat of grapes during a basement wine-making effort in Fort Seward, Smith said. “It wasn’t as glamorous as you would imagine. The grapes were frozen and K.A. was stomping around early in the morning,” Smith said.

Corey Piper, 15, was champion in the weekend’s two biggest competitions – the Ripinsky Run and Mad Raft Race.

Piper lopped about five minutes off his previous best time and held off a downhill challenge by Dave Swift to win Ripinsky. Piper won the race up the mountain but said he could hear Swift behind him until he reached the final stretch of pavement. “Once I got to the road, I totally took off.” His time was 31:36.

J.J. Lende, 19, won the women’s division in 33:34. Her dad Chip Lende, 53, also notched a race milestone, completing the event his 20th time. Fifteen racers competed.

Piper teamed up with dad Robert Piper and cousin Jesse Piper to handily take the river race on a family raft that finished first six times. Nine boats entered.

Corey said checking the river ahead of time for the best sections of current and the worst rock obstructions was a key strategy. “We hit all the good currents.”

The last raft to finish was manned by Forest Podsiki, Kelly Edmond, Kee Heywood, Rachael Scott and Tristan Sebens. It appeared to be underwater for the duration of the race.

“We kept falling off. We built a new raft and it was way too small,” Podsiki said. “It was a two-person raft and we had five people on it.”

More holiday event results will be published next week.

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