Gov. Sean Parnell, First Lady Sandy, and some of Parnell’s cabinet will be on hand to dish up fresh barbequed salmon, hot dogs and other picnic fare.
Juneau Chamber of Commerce Director Cathie Roemmich says the annual picnic has brought Juneau closer to this governor.
“With Gov. Parnell and his wife Sandy they have definitely made themselves a part of our community and it’s obvious to the people of our community,” Roemmich says.
Parnell is not the first governor to be part of the community, but he is the first governor to hold a picnic in the capital city.
It wasn’t noticed much until former Gov. Sarah Palin decided not to live in the Governor’s House, and instead charged the state per diem to live in her Wasilla home and work out of the Anchorage governor’s office, coming to Juneau only when necessary.
Roemmich says some state departments are becoming more involved in this year’s picnic, with informational booths and activities for kids, including a front-end loader from the Transportation Department. She says Kensington Gold Mine will offer gold panning.
