
Valdez Gold Rush Days
Wednesday, August 2-
Sunday, August 6, 2023
|M| P.O. Box 1393, Valdez, AK 99686 |E| ValdezGoldRushDays@gmail.com
2022 Royalty
All hail Queen Laurie & King Joe Prax
Joe and Laurie Prax put down roots and raised their kids in Valdez while working at their respective businesses. The couple owns Prospector Outfitters in Valdez and Fairbanks and NorthWave Communications/KVAK in Valdez. Joe’s family moved from Minnesota to Fairbanks when he was just two years old and he met Laurie when he went to college at Chico State. Joe graduated from Chico State with a degree in business and Laurie has a degree in Communications and a minor in International Relations. After graduation, and a short stint working in the San Francisco Bay Area for Laurie, the couple settled in Valdez where Joe went into the family sporting goods business. In 1996 the couple bought the local AM radio station and in 2001, they built KVAK FM.
Joe and Laurie have three children. Justin is 21-years old and will be a senior at Idaho State University this Fall, Marianne is 19 and attends Missouri State University in Springfield and Kelsey will be a sophomore at Valdez High School. Joe and Laurie have enjoyed volunteering in town. Joe has been a WESC board member, Boy Scout Leader, Little League baseball coach, City Council member and is currently an active member of the Fly-In Committee and a member of the Valdez School Board. Laurie was the Valdez Junior Achievement coordinator, Little Dribblers Coach, Girl Scout Leader, Basketball Coach at VHS and GMS, President of the Alaska Broadcasters Association and is currently an active member of the International Broadcasters Idea Bank. Both Joe and Laurie sit on the seven-person volunteer committee that runs the Valdez Fish Derbies. Joe has blessed the community by taking pictures of local sports activities and he loves nothing better than a good campfire. When she’s not working, Laurie enjoys playing music and writing songs. Joe and Laurie are thankful to have all their kids and Savannah (Justin’s girlfriend) together in Alaska for Gold Rush Days this summer.


Past Kings and Queens of Gold Rush
2020/21- Diane & Bobby Gibbs
2019- Laura & Jeff Saxe
2018- Hazel Hill
2017- Shannon Mahoney-Irish & Henry Irish
2016- Sue and Bob Smith
2015- Charlotte and Jim Shepard
2014- Lynne and Larry Michaud
2013 – Donna and Jim Gifford
2012 – Jerri Plaster
2011 – Larry and Meg Weaver
2010– Trudy and Phil Koszarek
2009– Russ and Molly Palmer
2008– Dave and Joanne Winney
2007– John Cerutti and Marie Blood
2006– Mike and Sue Britt
2005– Darwin and Mary Barrie
2004– Dan and Trish Stowe
2003– Donnie and Sue Blackburn
2002- Lori Saylors and Larry Hodges
2001– Lyle and Pat Von Bargen
2000– Lynn and Janese Chrystal
1999– Linda Fleming and Bill Unfer
1998– Walt and Gloria Day
1997– Judy Londo and Princess Krista Cameron
1996– Benny and Joyce James
1995– John and Jane Tongen
1994– Tom and Gloria McAlister
1993– Bert Cottle and Jean Phillips
1992– Fred and Kathy DiNicola
1991– Arch Fry and Dorothy Clifton
1990– Emil and Dorothy Wegner
1989– Clyde and Hallie Draine Ruhl
1988– Harold Williams and Cathlia Seagrove
1987– John and LaRue Rogers
1986– Harmon and Shorty Hall
1985– George and Judy Maykowskyj
1984– Robert and Ann Kelsey
1983– O.L. and Dorothy Crisp
1982– Mac and Sheila MacDonald
1981– Ed and Frances Walker
1980– Harvey and Delores Stellings
1979– Fran and Robert Larson
1978– Monte and Enola Olds
1977– Sid and Edith Moore
1976– Clint “Truck” Egan and Oma Belle Day
1975– Phil and Phyllis Irish
1972– Owen and Joyce Johnson