“Haines people are always late, but the cannoneer operates on Greenwich Mean Time,” said Annette Smith, as a warning to those who would show up later for the Lighting of the Fort, 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.
After a one-year hiatus, the ceremonial cannon blast and flipping of the switches will turn on Fort Seward’s holiday displays and kick off a celebration that will include luminarias, a Christmas tableau, caroling, a Nativity play, bonfire and weenie roast.
Now about 10 years old, the lighting didn’t happen last year because residents were too busy moving more than 11 feet of snow that fell in November, Smith said. Expected milder weather this year will see a new addition to the event, a display of Fort businessman Dave Nanney’s kites, including ones with “pulsing, starburst lights.”
Nanney is calling his show the “La-La-Land Christmas Kite Show” and is hoping to incorporate bubble wands to provide another special effect.
“We should be blowing bubbles around the bonfire and passing around bubble wands to whoever wants to use one. This is a Sky Dancers’ recruitment and rehearsal for the Christmas parade (Dec. 15),” Nanney said this week in an email.
Smith said the bonfire will be hosted by the Venturer
Scouts. Fort residents typically donate for the hot dog and chili picnic but others are welcome to donate or help out. Call Smith at 766-2708.
“If there’s snow, kids can bring their sleds and have a
sledding party,” Smith said.