2017 Calendar of Events
JANUARY – Russian Christmas & Starring, Jan. 7, 2017. Russian Christmas is celebrated by
the Julian calendar. The week-long celebration includes a Christmas feast, the Orthodox practice of
caroling and sharing the joy of Christmas. St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral.
www.oca.org/parishes/oca-ak-sitsmk, (907) 747-8120
FEBRUARY – Sitka Jazz Festival, Feb. 2-4, 2017. Enjoy a variety of world class jazz provided by
students and guest jazz musicians! www.sitkajazzfestival.com, [email protected],
(907) 747-3653
MARCH – Herring Fishery, dates depend upon the fish. Wildlife is generally abundant as the
herring gather and spawn in Sitka waters, turning the Alaska blue waters a milky green!
www.adfg.alaska.gov
MAY – Ocean Wave Quilters Guild Show, May 5-21, 2017 (not 5/14). Ocean Wave Quilters
Guild shows new and historic quilts at Whitmore Hall on former Sheldon Jackson Campus.
(907) 738-4549
– Julie Hughes Triathlon, May 20, 2017. Dedicated in 1985 to the wonderful spirit of Julie
who was lost to cancer at the all too young age of 16. The event consists of a 5-mile run, 14-mile bike
ride, and 1,000-yard swim. There is a special short course for the 12 and under participants. Proceeds
from this event are donated to the Sitka Cancer Survivors Network. www.juliehughestri.com,
[email protected], (907) 738-4664
– Sitka Salmon Derby, May 27-29, June 3-4, 2017. Catch prize-winning fish in the
sparkling waters of Sitka. Cash and prizes awarded. Sponsored by the Sitka Sportsman’s Association.
(907) 747-6790
JUNE – Sitka Summer Music Festival, June 6-July 2, 2017. Alaska’s premiere classical music
festival, presenting exquisite music in the pristine setting of Southeast Alaska. The finest musicians
from around the world gather in this rarefied paradise for four weeks of events that will challenge and
excite your senses. www.alaskaclassics.org, [email protected], (907) 747-6774
104 Lake Street ● Sitka, AK 99835 ● Phone 907.747.8604 ● [email protected] ● www.sitka.org
2017 Calendar of Events
JUNE – Sitka Fine Arts Camp, June 12-July 30, 2017. Sitka Fine Arts Camp started as a youth
program to develop artistic interests and skills in an intensive residential experience. The summer
program has grown from a two-week camp serving 40 adolescent students to a ten-week program
serving 1,000 students ages five to adult. www.fineartscamp.org, [email protected],
(907) 747-3085
JULY – Sitka Fine Arts Camp, June 12-July 30, 2017. Sitka Fine Arts Camp started as a youth
program to develop artistic interests and skills in an intensive residential experience. The summer
program has grown from a two-week camp serving 40 adolescent students to a ten-week program
serving 1,000 students ages five to adult. www.fineartscamp.org, [email protected],
(907) 747-3085
– Fourth of July Celebration, July 2-4, 2017. A grand celebration complete with parade,
demonstrations, game and food booths, fireworks display and other happenings.
www.sitkachamber.com, (907) 747-8604
– Alpine Adventure Run, July 15, 2017. The Alpine Adventure Run - it's one challenging
and grueling course! You will climb 2500 feet within the first few miles, traverse a rock slide and climb
over the hills and valleys of this 7 Mile Mountain Run. Search Facebook for Alpine Adventure Run
Page, [email protected], (907) 747-6471
– Sitka Arts & Science Festival, July 22-Aug. 4, 2017. As busy adults, we often fail to
make time for reflection, to think and feel deeply, to challenge ourselves to see the world in new and
beautiful ways. Through the complementary lenses of art and science, and guided by an
extraordinary group of artists and scientists, Festival participants embark on a journey of learning and
discovery. www.fineartscamp.org, [email protected], (907) 747-3085
AUGUST – Change Your Latitude – 57° North Open Water Challenge, Aug. 11-13, 2017.
Still the Northernmost open ocean race in the United States (and as far as we can tell planet Earth!)
Change Your Latitude is a combined 10k/6k/3k/1k open water swim in Sitka Sound.
www.changeyourlatitude.org, [email protected], (907) 738-4664
104 Lake Street ● Sitka, AK 99835 ● Phone 907.747.8604 ● [email protected] ● www.sitka.org
2017 Calendar of Events
AUGUST – Paths Across the Pacific, TBD. Scholarly conference exploring shared oceans,
shared humanity and shared responsibility. www.pathsacrossthepacific.org, [email protected],
(907)623-7969
SEPTEMBER – Mudball Classic Softball Tournament, Sept. 2-4, 2017. Annual Labor Day
Weekend tournament invites softball teams around the nation to play in Sitka.
www.juneausoftball.com
– Annual Running of the Boots, TBD. Fun Run featuring Alaska’s signature
footwear Xtratuf Boots and costume craziness! Lots of prize categories. Proceeds benefit Sitka Local
Foods Network/Sitka Farmers Market. www.sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.org,
[email protected]
OCTOBER – Alaska Day Festival, Oct. 11-18, 2017. This year is the 150th Sesquicentennial
Commemoration of the Alaska Transfer. The actual transfer ceremony occurred Oct. 18th in Sitka
when the United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867. Celebrations include ceremonies, a
period costume ball, dances, dinners, contests, a parade and more! www.alaskadayfestival.org
– Monthly Grind, Oct.-April 2017/18. The Monthly Grind offers family-friendly
entertainment with unique themes like fiddle grind, political grind, etc. - featuring local musicians,
dancers and story-tellers. www.thinkartthinksitka.com, [email protected], (907) 747-2787
NOVEMBER – Sitka Whalefest, Nov. 3-5, 2017. A symposium by world-renowned marine
scientists presenting their current research, whale watching cruises, concerts, art show, a marinethemed market & more! www.sitkawhalefest.org, [email protected], (907) 747-8878 ext. 2
DECEMBER – Sitka Artisans Market & Holiday Craft Party, TBD. It is a quality retail
shopping experience, featuring hand-crafted items, primarily made in Alaska.
www.thinkartthinksitka.com, [email protected], (907) 747-2787
104 Lake Street ● Sitka, AK 99835 ● Phone 907.747.8604 ● [email protected] ● www.sitka.org