Gala dinner, statehood day activities mark Alaska's 50th anniversary: planner envision memorable celebration.

• Author: Pounds, Nancy

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Alaskans will ring in the New Year then celebrations will swiftly crescendo for two consecutive days of events marking the 50th anniversary of Alaska statehood.

On Jan. 2, Alaskans will commemorate the state's 50 years as the 49th state with a gala at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage. Jan. 3, Statehood Day, will feature free public entertainment and activities in downtown Anchorage and finish with mid-evening fireworks.

Statehood anniversary celebrations were held elsewhere around Alaska in 2008, and Anchorage served as host city. Tennys Owens, owner of the Artique Ltd. gallery, helped coordinate the city's 50th anniversary efforts for other events, including the Wynona Judd concert in June, a summer reenactment of adding the 49th star to the U.S. flag and a November dinner honoring eight living Alaska governors.

Owens, Anchorage Celebration Committee coordinator, acknowledged significant support from State government officials, businesses and organizations for the statehood celebrations. She relished opportunities to plan events with other Alaskans, striving to make events relevant to residents statewide and recognizing the historical significance of the anniversary.

"It's something to look back and see how far we've come," she said.

The gala special dinner Jan. 2 for 2,000 will feature a giant, specially-built stage for up to 375 members from the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, the Anchorage Concert Chorus and the Anchorage Opera, according to Owens. Those groups have invited their counterparts from other Alaska cities to join the performance.

"We have big vision about these things," Owens said. "It will knock your socks off in a big way."

Symphony conductor Randall Craig Fleischer, who helped coordinate the performances, said sound, lighting and sets would be akin to a Broadway show.

Other evening events include speeches from Anchorage Mayor and Senator-Elect Mark Begich, Gov. Sarah Palin, a member of Alaska's Congressional delegation and an Alaska Native leader, Owens said. She has worked with Darl Schaaff, another statehood celebration coordinator, and others to...