Most Fairbanks fireworks displays still a go; 1 cancelled
Published Wednesday, December 31, 2008
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Stumble It!FAIRBANKS — Friends Community Church is postponing its New Year’s Eve fireworks display until the weather breaks, but the shows will go on today at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Ken Kunkel Community Center.
Temperatures are predicted to be as low as 50 below.
“It’s not going to be as comfortable for the spectators,” said Mike Thomas, sponsor of the annual Sparktacular on the UAF’s West Ridge. “But you know, most of us have been here for awhile and we just deal with it.”
Lynn Dowler, secretary of the Goldstream Valley Lions Club, agreed.
The club has sponsored a fireworks display at the Kunkel Center on Goldstream Road for the last five years. The show starts between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.
“I guess we’re going to do it no matter how cold it is,” Dowler said. “Everyone dresses pretty warm, and we’ll have a bonfire right there.”
Thomas said ice fog is the only weather event that would affect the UAF display, which is free and starts at 8 p.m.
The show was postponed once, in 1999, during the last 19 years because of low visibility.
This year, organizers won’t know whether ice fog will pose a problem until about noon today when pyrotechnic Ruben Leak begins setting up.
“I don’t expect any challenges,” Thomas said.
About an hour before the show, the Museum of the North will open its doors to the public, waiving its entry fee and providing free hot cocoa and cookies, according to a UAF news release.
A major UAF access point, Thompson Drive, will be closed starting at 7 p.m. except to emergency vehicles, the release said. The roundabout where the road ends will remain open.
Also to close at 7 p.m. are the areas of Tanana Loop and Yukon Drive near the fireworks staging area at the overlook pullout on the West Ridge. Neither vehicles nor pedestrians will be permitted to pass through, according to the UAF statement.
Access to the UAF from North Tanana Drive, Alumni Drive and Sheep Creek Road will remain open.
Pedestrians and snowmachiners are asked to steer clear of the railroad tracks that run through the campus. The Alaska Railroad Corp. will reportedly run trains as scheduled.
At the Ken Kunkel Community Center, a light potluck meal starts at 7:30 p.m. along with board games and card games, Dowler said.
“It’s not a full dinner,” she said. “We’ll have hot tea and hot chocolate, coffee probably.”
The fireworks display usually lasts about a half an hour and it’s free, although donations are appreciated.
“It’s open to anyone,” Dowler said.
The fireworks display at Friends Community Church will probably take place sometime in January, organizer Rocky Pavey said.
The show is sponsored by the church men’s group, known as Wild Heart of Alaska Men or WHAM.
“We do this for the kids,” Pavey said. “Parents don’t want to be getting the kids bundled up like the Michelin Man in 50 below.”
Community Discussion
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Hey Newsminer...It's nice we can count on you to publish information like this which has been a tradition for my family. I mostly read the newsminer online now and I was a little nervous that all the information would be put in ADvertisement style and I might miss it. Maybe tomorrow I'll make it to one of my favorite spots to view the fireworks. !@#$%^&*()_+_)(*&^%$#@!!!~
so when do the fireworks at uaf start?
The UAF display starts at 8 p.m.; the time is listed in a paragraph in about the middle of the story. The roads around and through UAF close at 7 p.m.
Well maybe it wont be so hard to find a good spot to park and watch with it being so cold
Hckywtchr, That's what everyone will be thinking so expect more congested traffic than normal.
akatrouble, the display starts at 8pm. Or you can be like me and be ridiculed year after year by your family for going there at midnight to wait for the display lol
where is a good area to park to watch? Kids aren't thrilled about being out in cold, Any suggestions, please.
B_W the display starts @ 8pm. Me and my kids usually park @ the post office, not only do we get a good view of the display, but if we leave DURING the finale, we can get out during the rush, while they look out the back window.
7 pm, thanks!
on second thought ithink i will pass.
Friends Church always rocks...with or without fireworks. I appreciate all the effort the Friends "family" puts into these events, so we'll be there when it's a bit warmer!
Mike Thomas, and Goldstream Valley Lions Club, thank you, too! What an awesome contribution to our whole community.
Believe it or not NOAA forecast is calling for snow flurries on New Years Day. The ice fog is getting pretty thick, just how do they expect people to see those fireworks. Matter of fact there is a ice fog warning in effect. Would it kill them to wait till New Years Day in which the forecast is calling for warmer (yes 25 to 35 below is warmer) temperatures . Hopefully the NewsMiner will post if the ice fog results in cancellations. Having your children out at 50 below in thinsulate, Walmart clothing is crazy. If you don't have real arctic gear for them, keep them in where it is warm. If you don't know what real arctic gear is, you probably don't have any.
My family has gone to the UoA display for years. We always bundle up really well. We take along a gallon insulated jug of hot cocoa and disposable cups. When we had a dog we brought him too. We park along Geist rd. about 7:30 and just stomp around in the snow. When the display starts, we break out blankets and lay down in the snow and ohhh and ahhh. The boys are now almost 16 and 17 and we are STILL excited to get dressed up and go lay in the snow for the annual show. Cold or not, it's fun!
Friend's Church does ROCK : ) I can't wait to see the fireworks in January. I just hope the community is notified when the new date & time is and also aware of the huge potluck they are invited too.
Hope everyone has a safe New Year celebration. Will be nice to actually enjoy them on a warmer date - glad that 1 celebration is being postpponed.
I always bring the kids to the parking lot across the street from the Patty gym. Good view of the show from there plus you can sit in the car to wait for it to start. Although I don't know how it will look with all the cars running the resultant ice fog. Happy new year to you all and hopefully it will be an uneventful night tonight. Too much tragedy already this past year, so please have a good time but remember to bring a designated driver if you drink(sorry I'm already booked) and leave your weapons at home. :) Peace
Bright and sunny out in the hills north of the University, Maybe the northern lights will put on even a better show than fire works tonight.
Hobbes - good advice. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to leave the drinks at home, too.
DOG OWNERS TAKE NOTE: Every year the shelter gets lots of pets who are freaked out by the noise and in their panic they bolt. Also, the residual paper w/gunpowder (?) on it can be lethal if injested. I had a dog once who got a hold of the neighbors firework trash (blew into my yard) and wracked up a huge vet bill.
I'm fortunate, I can see the UA display from my house...if the ice fog cooperates.
New Year's blessihngs to all,
MrsSaenz
Thanks Mrs S, my dogs go up stairs for the night, they really hate fire works and loud noises, most do.
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