Crowds line the streets July 4th well before 10:30 a.m. to get a good seat for watching the annual parade, which was sponsored by the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce.

Grand Marshals, Pam, Lin Pearson, and the honored Citizen Vicky Thalacker led the procession.

“It was an honor, and very nostalgic for me,” Thalacker told the Journal.

Behind them, over 40 entrees; from jellyfish to Uncle Sam marched down Spring Street.

Kings Market employees brought smiles to the crowd as they danced with shopping carts full of candy. They tossed toward eager children. Kids were also thrilled by the huge pirate ship float toward the end, which left behind a trail of bubbles. Kids rushed into the street to chase and pop them.

The parade winners were:

Best Vehicle -San Juan Yacht Club

Best off-Island Entry-Canoe Island French Camp

Best Animal Group – the Golden Retrievers

Best Costumed Group – the Pirates

Judge’s Special Choice – the San Juan Community Theatre

Children/Youth – the San Juan Island Library

Best non-float – UW Laboratories

Best float – Uncle Sam, the Sons of the American Legion

After the parade, families made their way to the Pig War Picnic where, besides great food, the local band “The Cameleons” rocked the crowd with favorite hits like Love Shack by the B52s.

Entertainment included a variety of games like Island Rec’s three-legged races and the San Juan Island Library’s Cake Walk.

For those not yet worn out, Rock the Dock at the Port of Friday Harbor began at 4, and also had live music by local favorites Rodney and the Dangerfields and River Rye.

Fireworks in the harbor began at 10 p.m. making it a full 12-hour day of festivities in Friday Harbor.