How to Spend the Fourth of July in Alaska

Alaska. being younger than all but one of the states, just may party harder than anywhere else on the Fourth of July. Check out some of the happenings you'll find on Independence Day in Alaska.

Instructions

1. Visit Seldovia. The Fourth of July may just be the biggest day of the year in the little town of Seldovia. Each annual celebration features a different theme, complete with a button to help pin down the memory. The 2007 theme is "Come Home to Seldovia."

2. Run a race-or just watch it. Seward hosts the Mount Marathon footrace-a 1 and ½ mile footrace straight up the sides of a sheer cliff.

3. Spend the day in Douglas, which has been celebrating the Fourth of July for over 100 years. The Fourth of July Planning Committee puts their all into an old-fashioned Fourth that includes footraces, parades, sporting events and prizes for everything from decorated strollers to best float. There's a barbecue pit, an annual sandcastle contest and a beach dance. And there's also free transportation from Juneau.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan your day in advance to make sure that you have tickets for events that require admission or that have limited seating.

• Bring plenty of snacks and drinks for the kids if you're attending day-long celebrations.

• Don't forget sunblock--even in Alaska, you can get sunburned in July.