(JUNEAU, Alaska) – The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) today announced that the system will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in Sitka October 16-18, 2013 as part of the Alaska Day Festival.

The weeklong festival begins October 11 with museum openings, road races, essay contests, and much more.  At 7 p.m. on October 16 AMHS will host Trivia night at the Bayview Pub, located 407 Lincoln Street. AMHS invites anyone interested to enter the contest as a team or as an individual for a chance to win fun Marine Highway prizes.

The next day visit the M/V Taku anytime from 1-7 p.m. for an open house at the Sitka Ferry Terminal. Alaska Day Greeters, dressed as if it were 1867, will welcome all aboard to tour the bridge, dine in the galley, and visit the gift shop for 50th Anniversary memorabilia. That evening, AMHS will participate in the Alaska Day Ball where Marine Highway themed door prizes will be given away, including a Golden Ticket worth up to $500 toward passenger travel.

Then on Alaska Day, October 18, the FVF Fairweather will cruise from Swan Lake to Lincoln Street and Totem Square as part of the Alaska Day Parade and Transfer Ceremony. AMHS will join other parade participants as the 1867 ceremony atop Castle Hill is re-enacted with the lowering of the Russian flag and raising of the American flag, roll call of States as admitted to the Union, and ceremonial music by the 9th Army Band.

To learn more about this community event and other events planned for the AMHS 50th Anniversary, please visit AMHS online at FerryAlaska.com/50years.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 237 airports, 9 ferries serving 35 communities along 3,500 marine miles, over 5,600 miles of highway and 839 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

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