Annual Holiday Open House at Governor’s Residence on Tuesday

People line up outside the Governor’s Residence for the annual Holiday Open House. (State of Alaska photo)

(State of Alaska press release)

The Christmas decorations are up, and the cookies are ready for the governor’s annual Holiday Open House in Juneau on Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 3-6 p.m. Gov. Mike Dunleavy, First Lady Rose Dunleavy, Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom and Mr. Kit Dahlstrom will be there to greet visitors and be available for photos.

A total of 26,000 cookies and more than 100 pounds of Almond Roca and other confections have been prepared. Hot cider will also be served by Alaska’s 15 state commissioners.

Holiday music will fill the residence with performances from The Juneau Douglas High School Chorus, the Juneau Douglas High School Band, Juneau Alaska Music Matters (JAMM), and the vocal chamber ensemble Vox Borealis.

This year’s Christmas tree is a 12-foot Sitka Spruce harvested from the Tongass National Forest by employees at the Yakutat Ranger District. The tree is decorated with more than 250 handmade ornaments from grade school classes in the Yakutat School District, members of the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe, participants in the Yakutat Community Health Center-Wellness Program, children of the Tlingit Haida HeadStart and community members.

The first open house was held by Territorial Governor Walter Eli Clark and his family on New Year’s Day 1913. The annual tradition has been held every year since, apart from two years during World War II and in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Individuals with special accessibility needs can contact Maxine Lucero at (907) 465-3500, to arrange entry from 2:15-2:30 p.m.