https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXmE_YaGVs4
We've heard of some pretty wild ways to celebrate the Fourth of July across the United States, but, when it comes to the most off-the-wall Independence Day traditions, Glacier View, Alaska may take the cake.
For more than 15 years, Alaskans have gathered at the small town about 100 miles northeast of Anchorage for the Glacier View Car Launch, where vehicles of all kinds get launched off a 300-foot cliff. We're talking everything from cars, boats, and even stretch limos. It's such a time-honored tradition that even the height of the coronavirus pandemic couldn't stop the event from happening, and while so many other things were cancelled in 2020, the Glacier View Car Launch was still a go.
"It started in about 2005, and one thing led to another and then it's like we're always trying to improve every year. We haven't really have a choice, everybody's demanding to do this and it's just another outing for Alaska," Arnie Hrncir, the longtime organizer of the event, told KTUU.
Read More: Incredible Footage Shows the First Double Flyover in Indy 500 History
If you think about it, the reason behind Glacier View's extreme 4th of July celebration is pretty clear. Since it doesn't really get dark in the state of Alaska, they can't exactly shoot off fireworks. I mean, they could, but it wouldn't really have the same effect. So, Glacier Viewans (Viewlanders? Viewians?) decided to explore other options to celebrate their American heritage. It turns out that launching cars off a cliff was the option they landed on, and, honestly, it's a pretty damn good option if you ask us.
If you're planning any road trips in the near future, apparently Glacier View, Alaska is one of the best places to really get that adrenaline pumping. Not only do they have river rafting, glacier trekking, and ice climbing, but also, apparently, watching cars fly, too. Hey, they call Alaska "The Last Frontier" for a reason!
This post was originally published on July 3, 2018.