![Contestants splash their way through a tote race July 3rd in Petersburg's middle harbor.](https://{$dbname}.org/modules/local_news/media/pictures/july 4th picture2-TN.jpg)
PETERSBURG, AK Last Fourth of July weekend had a special significance for Alaskans. A little over 50 years ago, on January 3, 1959 Alaska officially became the 49th state. And like communities across the last frontier, Petersburg’s celebration had an eye on that milestone.