By Becki Day
Executive director, San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce
On behalf of the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, I would like to thank all who helped to make this a memorable Fourth of July!
The 2018 parade theme was “Music of America…celebrating music through the decades.” We had 71 outstanding entries, many decorated to match the theme; the parade route was packed; the red, white and blue bunting was hung; and there was an unbelievable effort made by the community of our island and the businesses to pull off another patriotic Fourth of July. After we heard the beautiful singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” by Jill Urbach, we had music, floats, marching bands, Blitz and Blue Thunder, horses, dogs, politicians and kids. We were proud to honor our Grand Marshal Warren Jones and the Honored Citizens Anna Maria de Freitas and David Pass. We were so fortunate to have Alan Budwill, of the Kent and Alan show on Star 101.5, announcing from the Palace Theatre and Jim and Minnie Kynch announcing from the Presbyterian Church. And to top it off, the weather was perfect.
The Firecracker Run, the parade, the Kiwanis Pig War barbecue and the port’s Rock the Dock made for a fun-filled day for all. And the grand finale of them all was a fabulous fireworks show by Nick Gislason, his loyal volunteers from all the islands and the Lopez Island Community Fireworks Association over the Port of Friday Harbor.
We have so many to thank! We could not have accomplished this without the support of Duncan Wilson, Mike Goff and the Town of Friday Harbor street crew; Sheriff Ron Krebs, Sergeant Eric Peter and the deputies; Zack Aiken and his ferry crew; the Alhadeff’s for letting us announce and judge from their deck; our judges; and the Presbyterian Church for placing the seating area in their driveway. There is more: our volunteer chair Parin Columna and his crew of chamber board members and employees; Barbara Jensen, Madelyn Busse and the Mazzarella’s for once again driving the grand marshal in their convertible; Julie Strang and Kent Meeker for driving; Wendy at M&W for loaning us a smart car for me to zip around in, a car for Blitz and the honored citizens; and, last but not least, Kraig Hansen of San Juan Transit for driving our Seahawk celebs out to Roche Harbor and back to perform.
Finally, the chamber of commerce would like to thank Kings Market and the San Juan Island Brewing Company for the matching grant for the fireworks, the Town of Friday Harbor Lodging Tax and the generous donations from, not only San Juan Island residents, but so many visitors! Thank you to all those who helped make the Fourth of July a very big success.
