UAF to kick off centennial with musical Sparktacular event
December 21, 2016
UPDATE: If you cannot get 89.9 FM on your radio, livestream the music to Sparktacular 2016 at kuac.org. Due to the recent winter storm, power may not be restored to the KUAC transmitter on Ester Dome by showtime at 8 p.m.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks will kick off a year of activities in celebration of its centennial with the annual Sparktacular fireworks display at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, on the Fairbanks campus.
This year’s 27th annual Sparktacular Celebration, presented by the Fairbanks Curling Lions, will feature fireworks launched from two locations on UAF’s West Ridge and a special musical broadcast from KUAC 89.9 FM to accompany the fireworks display. Spectators can tune their car radios or mobile devices to KUAC to listen to the music during the Sparktacular. The University of Alaska Museum of the North will serve free hot cocoa and cookies while supplies last. The museum galleries will be open to the public at no charge until 9 p.m.
University fire and police departments will provide logistical support for the event and will close roads and ski trails near the staging area at 7:45 p.m. Alaska Railroad trains travel through the area, so railroad officials request that spectators, both pedestrian and those on snowmachines, remain clear of the 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:
- Dollar Rent-A-Car
- Dunlap Insurance Agency
- Fairbanks Youth Sports
- Fox 7 and CBS 13
- Gas & Diesel Doctor
- Interior Towing and Salvage
- Labrenz Landscaping
- Midnight Sun Lions
- Mt. McKinley Bank
- Napa AutoCare Centers
- Napa Auto Parts
- Sani-Can Inc.
- Sourdough Fuel/Petro Star
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
- University Chevron
The event will mark the start of a yearlong celebration of UAF’s 100 years of service to Alaska. Scheduled events include the Blue and Gold Gala on Feb. 11, a May 3 reenactment of the signing of the bill that created the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines, community events, lectures and exhibits throughout campus. Members of the public can follow and share UAF centennial activities on social media with the hashtag #UAF100 and learn more about UAF’s history online at uaf.edu/centennial.
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