Sparktacular Celebration to start a half hour later

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: (907) 474-7902
12/23/05

The upcoming New Year’s Eve Sparktacular Celebration on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus will take place at 8:30 p.m. to allow an Alaska Railroad passenger train time to travel safely through the area prior to the fireworks display. This will also allow hockey fans attending the Alaska Airlines Governor’s Cup an opportunity to view the fireworks after the game. The final game in the series against in-state rival University of Alaska Anchorage begins at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Alaska Railroad officials request that spectators, both pedestrian and those on snow machines, remain clear of the railroad tracks for safety reasons

The university fire and police departments will provide logistical support for the event and are planning to close Thompson Drive from Geist Road to the roundabout at 7 p.m to provide access for emergency vehicles. The roundabout will remain open.

The areas of Tanana Loop and Yukon Drive nearest the fireworks staging area on West Ridge will also be closed to the public at 7 p.m. Motorists will be able to access the UAF campus from North Tanana Drive, Alumni Drive and Sheep Creek Road.

The University of Alaska Museum of the North will be serving free hot cocoa and cookies at 7:30 p.m. The museum galleries will be open to the public at no charge.

The Sparktacular event is organized by Mike Thomas, owner of Mike’s University Chevron, and is sponsored by the following Fairbanks community groups and businesses:

Fairbanks Curling Lions
Chevron Dealers of Fairbanks
Midnight Sun Lions
American Tire and Auto
Fairbanks Youth Sports
Dunlap Insurance Agency
Alaska Best Plumbing and Heating
Sourdough Fuel and Petro Star
Mt. McKinley Bank
Tanana Valley Television Fox 7/CBS 13
Sani-Can of Fairbanks
B.Y. Farms
Westwind Construction

CONTACT: UAF Public Information Officer Marmian Grimes at (907) 474-7902 or via e-mail at marmian.grimes@uaf.edu.