While millions across the country were rallying on June 14 for No Kings Day – protesting President Donald Trump’s policies – Ketchikan held a “Unity for Community Fest”. It was the first annual event that was promoted as a celebration of the American Flag holiday and an effort to bring the community together, rather than divide it.
Hundreds of small American flags placed several feet apart outlined Ketchikan’s Alder Park while kids played games or enjoyed a bouncy house, adults relaxed and socialized, and volunteers grilled hot dogs and hamburgers while music played in the background. It was a relaxed picnic atmosphere on a beautiful sunny day, with people casually coming and going.
Darlene D-Svenson is one of the organizers. She says the event’s purpose is to celebrate Flag Day and bring people of all opinions together.
“We are all Americans before we are anything else. And we’ve just chosen to celebrate being Americans.”
Along Bryant Street adjacent to the park, other flags flew on flagpoles. These included an Alaska State flag, Trump 2024 flag, an upside down Knights Templar flag, and a flag that read “God, Guns and Guts Made America, Let’s Keep All Three.” Asked about the flags, D-Svenson said the event was not political.
“A Ketchikan patriot as far as we are concerned is whomever you are. Some people believe in Trump. Some people believe in something different. What you didn’t notice is the very first flag of the United States of America – an Appeal to Heaven. You will also notice one of the Old Glory 13 flags. Betsy Ross. It’s the history of America and where we are.”
Attendees were invited to sign a ballot petition to repeal Alaska’s ranked choice voting system – and a second petition in support of an indoor shooting range in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough.
One of the attendees was Kathleen Yarr.
“I’ve heard that there are divisions within our community, and so I just wanted to come out and say that our community is fine and we’re going to be fine. We need to have unity.
Willard Jackson, Sr. is a Vietnam vet who lives next door to the park. He says he enjoys attending events at the park.
“I came to have a free hot dog and talk to some of my veteran friends.”
Jackson said he was looking forward to the U.S. Army’s 250th Anniversary Parade later that evening in Washington, D.C.
Door prizes donated by local businesses were given out throughout the afternoon.
D-Svenson says this is the first of what is planned to be an annual event.
