The stars came out Thursday, July 4, for the annual Independence Day parade down Spring Street in Friday Harbor. A group of Elvises with shopping carts, led by Francie Hanson, collected non-perishable food items for the Friday Harbor Food Bank, as well as other household items for the Joyce Soble Family Resource Center while marching in the parade. According to Lori Stokes, a friend of Francie Hanson who helped inspire the idea, over 590 pounds of food was collected. The collected items filled the back of a pick-up truck, she said.

The theme for the town’s 2019 Fourth of July Parade was “Parade of Stars Past and Present,” celebrating American heroes. According to the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, the parade has been rated one of the top 10 small town Fourth of July celebrations in the country.

The following prizes were awarded:

Best use of theme, float: Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor

Best use of theme, nonfloat: National Park Service

Best use of theme, children/youth: Salish Sea Ballet

Judges’ special choice: Cutthroat Pirates

Best-costumed group: Francie Hansen and Friends

Best animal/animal group: Bits and Spurs

Best off-island entry: UW Varsity and Alumni Marching Band

Best vehicle: San Juan Farmers Market

Afterward, islanders and visitors headed to the San Juan Island Historical Museum grounds for the local Kiwanis Club’s Pig War Picnic, Rocked the Dock at the Port of Friday Harbor and watched the fireworks display in the harbor that evening.