Friday Harbor celebrates Fourth of July Marching Forward Together

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce sponsored the annual 4th of July parade, with Grand Marshals, Honored Citizens and the Sam R Buck Community Award Winner.

Brian Brown, Dave Moorhouse and Tom Starr are filling the roles of Grand Marshals this year. Their entrepreneurship range from being pioneers in the banking industry and to many business ventures between the 3 of them, going back 40-plus years. These men are very committed to our community and active in business and service.

Honored Citizens this year were Donald Pollard and David Ralston, who moved here 40 years ago and quickly became active in the San Juan Community Theatre. Pollard is presently working on writing his 10th play and while not doing that, these two are active in the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor as well.

The Chamber added a new honoree to the parade, a San Juan Island business member that excels in quality service not only to his business but also the Town of Friday Harbor and San Juan County. This year Bill Gendron was honored; he was instrumental in the Homes for Islanders Program.

Winners were announced at The Pig War Picnic:

Best Use of Theme, float-Browne’s Home Center

Best Use of Theme, non-float-Soroptimist

Best Vehicle/s – San Juan Island Yacht Club

Best Costume – YAAS

Most Original – BooBoo’s Boxing

Judges Choice – San Juan Island Pride Foundation

Best Use of Theme, Children/Youth – Friday Harbor Athletic Association

Best Animal/Animal Group – Wolf Hollow

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo Grand Marshalls Brian Brown, Dave Moorehouse, and Tom Starr wave to the crowd.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo Citizens of Honor Donald Pollard and David Ralston feel the love during the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo A young parade-goer waves to the Young Adult Association of San Juan Island (Y.A.A.S.) as they approach down Spring Street into downtown Friday Harbor.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo Members of the Young Adult Association of San Juan Island (Y.A.A.S.) celebrate by marching forward together during the 2023 Fourth of July parade in Friday Harbor.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo Members of the Friday Harbor Power Squadron celebrate boater safety during the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo The Keith Highlanders Pipe Band marches and performs during the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo Members of the King’s Market/Marketplace grocery cart brigade shared smiles (and lots of candy) during the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo Toy Box got into the act during the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo Staff and volunteers with the National Park Service displayed their passion for the National Parks during the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo The University of Washington Husky Marching Band brought their A-game to the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade, performing for an appreciative crowd.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo Members of the University of Washington Husky Marching Band brought enthusiasm and rousing music to the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo Members of the Soroptimist Club of San Juan Island ‘Marching Forward Together’ during the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo A member of the San Juan Island Yacht Club waves to the crowd during the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo Members of the One Time Band performing a lively number during the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo A large group of Wonder Women with Boo Boo’s Boxing showed their strength and physical fitness during the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo The San Juan Island PRIDE Foundation showed their true colors in support of the LGBTQA community during the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo Love is Love at the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo The community came out strong in support of the San Juan Island PRIDE Foundation and LGBTQA community at the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo Staff and students of the University of Washington Labs showed off their inner crustaceans/invertebrates/etc. at the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo The Friday Harbor Tigers football team enjoyed a scrimmage down Spring Street during the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo Staff and ‘livestock’ of the San Juan County Parks and Fair were seen ‘Dancing With The Steers’ at the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo Local pirates plundered the streets of Friday Harbor during the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo San Juan Island Fire staff and families enjoyed celebrating Independence Day during the 2023 Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok staff photo Staff and volunteers of the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce celebrate another successful parade at the tail end of their annual Friday Harbor Fourth of July parade.