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In 1967, Neal Brown and George Cresswell built a raft and traveled from Fairbanks to Nenana, a journey that provided the inspiration for the rite of passage known as The Great Tanana Raft Classic.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the raft classic, several events are planned for the weekend of Aug. 9-10, allowing those who floated the river all those years ago to exchange stories and memories of the race.

Oil drums were plentiful at the time and every raft was to have at least four of them, along with life jackets and a crew of at least two adults. Beyond that, the vessels ranged from the river-worthy to those that should have stayed on dry land.

Merritt Helfferich and George Cresswell, two of the key organizers of the classic, recently wrote 63 crews spent much of the night before the first classic working on their rafts off Chena Pump Road.

“At 6:33 a.m. George fired off both barrels of a shotgun, which sent the semi-alert 55 captains (others were still building their rafts) running to a bizarre collection of river craft manned by some 200-odd crew members. There followed the anticipated chaos: rescue of captains from the Tanana, crew left behind, furious paddling, dangerous poling, tricky oar work, and sails broken out: parachutes, plastic sheets, curtains, and beach umbrellas. Rafts had outhouses, tape players, TVs, sleeping bags, outriggers, roofs, dinghies, barbeque grills, beer coolers galore, obscene signs, sponsor logos, and other things too numerous to mention,” they wrote in the Ester Republic.

“After several minutes of inspired maneuvering, most participants, described by the papers as ‘Geophysical scientists, hippies, seasoned boatmen, and ordinary adventurers,’ slacked off the frantic rowing to survey the scene around them. One shore-bound observer likened it to the harbor at Hong Kong. Others said it looked like ancient invasion fleets.”

Participation in the race grew as its fame spread. By the fourth and final year of the classic, more than 450 rafts had joined the spring flotilla.

To relive the glory days of the classic, participants and race volunteers will record their stories Aug. 9 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the borough offices, followed by a picnic at the Chena Pump wayside, where the races began. The picnic is to start at 5 p.m.

On Aug. 10 at 6 p.m., there will be a trip on the Riverboat Discovery, during which there will be displays of photos, movies and other items about the race history.

The cost is $25 to cover the cost of the river trip and snacks.

For more information, call Helfferich at 479-2846 or Neal Brown at 479-2773.

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REUNIONS: I am late in mentioning this, but the Lathrop High School Class of ’63 is holding its 45-year reunion this weekend. Other classes are welcome to join. Call Sue Slifer today at 455-6605 for reservations.

The main event is a Saturday dinner dance at the Elks Lodge.

Meanwhile, the Class of ’58 is holding the 50-year reunion of Fairbanks High School this weekend. The official name was Lathrop by then, but the students considered themselves graduates of Fairbanks High.

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BRIDGE DEDICATION: The ceremony to mark the name change of the small bridge in Nenana to the north of the main Tanana River Bridge, is 3 p.m. Aug. 8, with a feed to follow in Nenana. The bridge has been renamed in honor of Shirley Demientieff. Her brother, Mitch, is helping organize the event. He can be reached at 978-0723.

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LOCAL EVENTS: The Golden Days Community Rally is Wednesday, starting at 5 p.m. in the tent at Pioneer Park. There are to be numerous contests and performances, ranging from music by the Fairbanks Community Band to the Dog & Owner Costume Contest.

The evening is free and open to the public. Also of note, the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics begins Wednesday at the Carlson Center.

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AUCTION: The old quarters of Mt. McKinley Bank contain oak-framed windows, safes, cameras, glass doors, oak trim, couches, chairs, desks and other bankable items.

These are to be sold at an auction today at 6 p.m. at 530 Fourth Ave. The bank recently moved into its new building next door, with new furnishings.

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CONCERT TOUR: George Rydlinski of the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra writes from Greece to say our local musicians enjoyed their concerts in that country.

“The bus ride trough Athens was an experience in itself as we were late arriving to Athens and the bus driver was breaking land speed (and safety) records to get us to the ferry port on time. We all survived — barely — and now are enjoying the home island of Pythagoras,” he wrote late last week.

“All is going well musically and we are enjoying the warm Mediterranean climate,” he said.

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PIONEERING: Kids will find fun ways to learn about health and safety Friday afternoon at Pioneer Park.

The free food and free activities of Young Pioneers Day from noon to 4 p.m. are sponsored by Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., Fairbanks Host Lions and GVEA.

There will be free books donated by the Literacy Council of Alaska, face painting, car-seat checks and a petting zoo.