Park to Host National Park Service Centennial Events in May

Date: May 9, 2016
Contact: Cassie Anderson, 907-983-9200

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park will host several free special events and programs to celebrate the National Park Service Centennial. All Events are free and open to the public.

BioBlitz, May 13 

Join us for BioBlitz, part of a nationwide event to discover and document our natural world. 89% of the world's total biomass is made up of invertebrates –bugs! Because of their diversity and short life cycles, these species are often great indicators of the health of an environment. You're invited to join us as we try to find as many insects and aquatic invertebrates in the park as we can in one day. RSVP by the afternoon of Wednesday, May 11th or get more information by calling Jason Verhaeghe at 907-983-9243. 

Community Movie Day, May 16 

Take a seat in the visitor center auditorium at 2pm during the final no-ship day and enjoy a community film series. First, explore the history of Skagway's Buckwheat Ski Classic in a poignant film. Produced by Elise Giordano, members of the Log Cabin Ski Society look back and share their experiences creating one of the region's most anticipated events of the year. 

Next, "Tied to the Land: Voices from Northwest Alaska" brings viewers into the lives of people from ten Northwest Alaskan villages as they struggle to adapt to rapid changes in climate, weather and resource development. The program will last about an hour and 45 minutes. 

Centennial Concert, May 20 

Join us at 7pm at the Dedman Stage for an engaging concert featuring special guest, the Chance Ensemble as they perform "John Muir –University of the Wilderness" including dramatic readings of the writings of John Muir intertwined with music. Presented in partnership with the Skagway Arts Council, the music performance is a powerful and entertaining event inspired by the 100-year anniversary of the National Park Service. Carlin "Buckwheat" Donahue will open the concert with a poetry reading. The concert will last about an hour and a half. 

Tlingit Canoe Arrival May 24 

Check out our new traditional Tlingit canoe in the Junior Ranger Activity Center (Pantheon Saloon)! Hand crafted by Wayne Price of Haines, the canoe will help young visitors learn about the Tlingit people before, during, and after the gold rush. The Junior Ranger Activity Center opens May 23 and will be open to the public Monday through Friday, 10am-noon and 1-3pm.