Thank You!

ByWhaleFest AssistantNovember 15, 2017

Justine Webb, Sitka WhaleFest Assistant (left) and Rachel Klein, Sitka WhaleFest Director (right) celebrate a successful 2017 Sitka WhaleFest!

The Sitka Sound Science Center would like to thank the following individuals and businesses who donated $25 or more to 2017’s Sitka WhaleFest, helping make it such a success: The North Pacific Research Board, National Science Foundation, University of Alaska Southeast, Alaska Airlines, Sitka Alaska Permanent Charitable Trust, Northline Seafoods, City & Borough of Sitka, Allen Marine, The Bear & Tigger Fund, Alaskan Brewing Company, Venneberg Insurance, Turnagain Marine Construction, Odom Corporation, Sandra Kincheloe, John Palmisano with Biological Consultants, Jeff Budd, Sybil Lubin, James Simard, Paulla Hardy, Margret Lohfeld, Dorik Mechau, Carolyn Servid, Carla Beam, SSSC Board Members, Foreign Automotive, Hames Corporation, Golden Alaskan Lodge, Sharyn & John Ferrick, and Alaska Litho Print & Media. We greatly appreciate your support.
We want to thank the numerous volunteers (at least 60 individuals) who volunteered their time helping display student art, donating food for our visiting speakers, taking tickets at the door for multiple events, decorating for the Mingle and Banquet, assisting with clean up, and much more. You are all incredibly helpful and dedicated members of our community.
We also would like to thank the students and individuals who made beautiful art to be displayed at Centennial Hall throughout WhaleFest weekend. Additionally, thank you to the following Market Vendors who had wonderful booths up for shoppers to enjoy all weekend: Larisa Manewal, NPRB, The Island Institute, Marty Johnson, Marissa Amor, Sitka Maritime Heritage Society, Alaska Pure Sea Salt Co., Alaska Clean Harbors, Marms & Meeks, Wintersong Soap Co., Homer Whales, The Outer Coast, Sexi Seaweed, Sea Dreams, Sitka Conservation Society, NOAA Law Enforcement, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, MK MacNaughton, Old Harbor Books, Laura Kaltenstein, Fishprint Man, Sweet Sisters Caramels, and SE Alaska Conservation Council.
A special thank you to Old Harbor Books for selling WhaleFest tickets. Also, thank you to Chuck Miller and Herman Davis for their Tlingit Welcome to start off our three-day symposium. Thank you to Raven Radio for helping us with our PSAs, thank you to the amazing staff at Centennial Hall, thank you to Our Town Catering for the delicious food, and thank you to Sitka School District and Mt. Edgecumbe High School for welcoming our visiting scientists into your classrooms. Scientists come to WhaleFest courtesy of the NIH sponsored Biomedical Learning and Student Training program from University of Alaska, Fairbanks and the USDA sponsored Scientists in the Schools program.
Thank you to Barbara Delong for organizing the Silent Auction, and thank you to the following businesses and individuals who donated items for the Silent Auction: Allen Marine, Old Harbor Books, Baranof Island Brewing Co., First National Bank of Alaska, Fishprint Man, Orion’s Sporting Goods, Highliner Coffee, Silver Basin, Marms & Meeks, MK MacNaughton, Esther G Sea Taxi, Laura Kaltenstein, Sexi Seaweed, Sitka Moon Jelly Designs, Ruth Culp, Adrienne Wilber, Jay Sweeney, Mean Queen, Coliseum Theatre, Golden Alaskan Lodge, Fisheye Coffee, Fortress of the Bear, Sweet Sisters Caramels, Sitka Studio of Dance, and Larisa Manewal.
Thank you to Kyle Kosma, our amazing graphic designer, who did an excellent job on all of our posters, program, shirts, tickets, website, etc. It was incredible to see him bring our theme to life this year; we greatly appreciate his hard work!
Lastly, thank you to everyone who attended WhaleFest last weekend, whether it was for the symposium, the wildlife cruises, the Banquet, or any other event. We could not have put on this awesome science engagement festival without your participation. Thank you, and hope to see you next year!