Orcas Island July 4 parade draws classics of all types

The “Classics” dominated the Orcas Island Fourth of July parade this year – whether the Classics were island families, school kids, or cars.

The Community Band regaled the pre-parade crowd with music from “Roll Out the Barrel” to a briskly-paced “Star-Spangled Banner.”

Co-emcees Ken and Karen Key Speck announced each of the 51 entries in the hour-plus parade, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

The American Legion posts from Orcas Island and San Juan Island presented American flags, gun salutes, and three cheers for Lincoln, those serving in the U.S. military, and peace.

Parade Grand Marshal John Willis was resplendant in a black tuxedo, and Karen Speck noted that the Willis family has reported the “longest collective weather history in the United States – right here on Orcas Island.”

The most recent of the seven generations of the Bruns-Madan family also marched in the parade, as did the Gudgell/Dragonfly Farm family, celebrating “Born Here – Still Here” A float from the Class of 1998 celebrated the island kids who will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their high school graduation this year.

The Lions and Kiwanis Service Clubs marched, as did the Pink Peace People, a regular entry in recent years.

And what would a traditional American Fourth of July parade be without the politicians seeking office – Governor Chris Gregoire, State Senate candidate Kevin Ranker, Judicial candidates Randy Gaylord and John Linde, and Orcas Island County Council candidates among them?

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