“Super Saturday” turned not-so-super after a combination of snow and rain turned Haines roads into nearly impassable slush, causing cancellation of the ANS Bazaar, Holiday Parade and Haines High School boys’ basketball games.
As of Wednesday, none of the events were set to be rescheduled.
Once Annette Smith – owner of the parade’s trademark “Snow Dragon” – pulled out of the parade, plans for the event fizzled, said chamber of commerce president Barbara Mulford.
“The dragon likes snow, and if he gets too wet, he looks bedraggled,” Smith said. “He’s all foam and sheets and stuff like that. I’m thinking he could even get moldy if he gets soaked… I felt really badly, but you just can’t argue with old man weather.”
Mulford said several students in the marching band also didn’t want to get their instruments wet, plus roads were icy and the sidewalks hadn’t been plowed. “It seemed to make the best sense to cancel the parade due to safety,” she said.
If enough people express interest, Mulford said she might consider rescheduling.
Smith said she remembered the parade was also canceled due to weather about eight years ago. When the chamber tried to reschedule the following weekend, that attempt was also foiled by rain and snow.
Robin Benner, organizer of the ANS Bazaar that was to be held Saturday at the Senior Center, also said the event will not be rescheduled. “There’s just not enough time before Christmas,” Benner said.
The Haines High School boys’ basketball team was scheduled for two home games against Team Yukon over the weekend, but the Yukon team was blocked by snow on the South Klondike Highway.
Coach Steve Fossman said he made an effort to reschedule for this weekend, but it didn’t work out because too many people on Team Yukon would be traveling for the holidays.
“We were going to try, but the consensus was (the Team Yukon coach) wasn’t going to have enough people to have a squad to come down,” Fossman said.
To express interest in a rescheduled parade, call Mulford at 766-3179.