Alaska Airlines is inviting residents across the state to join in celebrating Alaska Day on Oct. 18. Daylong festivities will be held at nine airports and three community locations in honor of the formal transfer of the territory of Alaska from Russia to the United States at Fort Sitka on Oct. 18, 1867.

As part of the festivities, residents are invited to enjoy refreshments and enter for a chance to win round-trip tickets anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.

“On behalf of the 1,700 Alaska Airlines employees working in the great state of Alaska, we invite residents to join us in celebrating this special holiday,” said Marilyn Romano, Alaska Airlines’ regional vice president-Alaska.

Alaska Airlines will celebrate Alaska Day at a number of community events and locations. Alaska Airlines employees will join Sitka residents at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, for the official Alaska Day Parade.