Sparktacular Celebration to return to original time

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: (907) 474-7902
12/21/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fairbanks, Alaska--The community is invited to visit the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus on New Year’s Eve for the 17th-annual Sparktacular Celebration. Fireworks will begin at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31 and will be launched from UAF’s West Ridge.

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 at the overlook pullout 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. The museum galleries will be open to the public at no charge from 7-9 p.m.

Spectators are reminded that Alaska Railroad trains travel through the area between 7:30 and 9 p.m. Alaska Railroad officials request that spectators, both pedestrian and those on snowmachines, remain clear of the railroad tracks for safety reasons.

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

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