Islanders went all out for the Fourth of July

Published 1:30 am Monday, July 7, 2025

Floats lined up, crowd waited in patient anticipation up and down Spring Street as the UW band disembarked from the ferry and took their place in the parade.

Five planes from San Juan Air did a low fly over as the festivities began. Grand Marshals Lisa Holt and Nancy Jones, led the parade, followed by Honored citizens Gary amd Susan Sterner and Frank and Barbara Fagan.

The parades theme was “Local Heros” leading the way to a very community minded event. The Rec and Boo Boo’s boxing held up a picture honoring Katie Heeb, the inspiration for the local non-profit Team Heeb assisting cancer patients and survivors, while Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor gave tribute to nurses, teachers, postal workers, EMTs and others.

The Friday Harbor Food Bank held a food drive as part of their float. Food Bank Executive Director Rachelle Radonski reported that some 1,000 pounds of food was collected, along with over $2,500 in cash, and Kiwanis donated food left over from the Pig War picnic as well.

“Our favorite part was seeing the kids faces as the monster mouth would open up on the collection truck,” Radonski said.

She thanked the 13 super hero volunteers that made both the float and drive possible. As a result thy took home Best use of Theme/Float.

Other winners were:

Best use of theme/non-float – Soroptimist of Friday Harbor

Best use of theme/Children/Youth – YAAS

Judges’ Choice – the Pirates

Plastic Free Salish Sea Award – San Juan Preservation Trust

Best Animal Group – The Golden Retrievers

Most Original Entry – the Textile Guild

Best Vehicle – The Caddy, fire truck