Celebration, one of the largest cultural events in Alaska, will take place Thursday through June 9 in Juneau.

The festival of dance, art, storytelling and traditional skills of Southeast Native Alaskans is organized every two years by Sealaska Heritage Institute and draws thousands of people to the state capital.

First held in 1982, the event has outgrown some of its previous venues. The Native Artist Market, previously held at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center, will move to the Sea-laska parking lot, said Sealaska Heritage Institute president Rosita Worl.

Worl said that in previous years artists have been turned away because of space constraints.

"The parking lot is also situated right downtown and more accessible to the tourists," she noted. "The tourists are really important to us because we want them to not only learn about our art but we're hopeful that they're also going to be purchasing art from our artists."

The Juneau Arts and Culture Center will be the site of an awards ceremony for Sealaska Heritage Institute's Juried Art Show, held in conjunction with Celebration, on Wednesday. It will remain on display the rest of the month.

The main part of Celebration festivities will begin at 8:30 a.m. Thursday with a grand entrance procession from Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, formerly ANB Hall, to Centennial Hall, where most dance performances will take place.

A parade through Juneau will start at 8 a.m. June 9, with closing ceremonies at 8 p.m. that day.

There will also be films, workshops and other activities.

Tickets for the event, which is open to the public, go on sale at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Centennial Hall.

More information is available at sealaskaheritage.org.