By JILL FANKHAUSER
Alaska Star

Cheers of “We’re in” and “Happy birthday, Alaska” could be heard all over Eagle River Lions Park Saturday all in celebration of Alaska’s 50th statehood anniversary.

Folks inside the Lions clubhouse enjoyed hot dogs and hot chocolate and traded stories about life during territorial days and after statehood.

The day started off with two pancake feeds at the American Legion Post 33 and the Lions Club in Eagle River. Lee Jordan, co-chairman of the event, said there was a line outside the Legion building before breakfast began.

Events like the dog weight pull in the afternoon at Lions Park had a light crowd, probably because of the deep cold, organizers said. But the dogs didn’t seem to mind they kept on competing pulling up to 1,280 pounds. Dog handlers dressed in layers, including parkas made of wolf or trimmed with arctic fox.

As the contest wrapped up, dozens of merrymakers arrived to check out the festivities. They headed toward the ball field to warm up by the blazing hot bonfire constructed out of 50 or 60 pallets collected by the Eagle River Lions.

The bonfire was reminiscent of the 50-ton bonfire started on Anchorage’s Delaney Park Strip on June 30, 1958 the day Congress voted Alaska into the Union.

“It’s warm enough that I thought I might take my hat off,” said Eagle River local Ted Smith, who wore a hat made of coyote and rabbit.

“It’s not that warm,” said his wife Denise Smith.

Celebrations moved to a stage set up on the back of a semi-trailer at the club’s entrance for a short program to sing the national anthem and the Alaska Flag Song, and recite “Add a Star to the Flag that I Love,” written in 1958 by Birchwood’s Sgt. Gardner White. White’s song was first recorded and presented to territorial Gov. Mike Stepovich in 1958.

Gov. Sarah Palin took part in the celebratory program, declaring by executive proclamation Jan. 3, 2009, as Alaska Statehood Day.

“This landmark in our state’s history is an occasion to honor our heritage and reflect upon the opportunities that 50 years of statehood have brought Alaska,” Palin said.

Jordan reflected back on his own statehood experience and the day he laid down the famous wooden-type headline “We’re In” on the Anchorage Daily Times front page the phrase that set the tone for the celebration and sentiment about Alaska’s entry as an official member of the United States.

“If I would’ve known what it would be like 50 years ago, I would have saved the wood type,” Jordan said.

And with that, the fireworks began.

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, January 8, 2009.