American spirit was on proud display at Oak Harbor’s Fourth of July parade Thursday.
The old-fashioned parade proceeded down Pioneer Way, stretching across downtown Oak Harbor and lining the street with red, white and blue as hundreds of attendees waved American flags and cheered for the parade participants.
Many paradegoers were returning attendees, making it a point to go every year.
Organizations gave out beads, candy, pamphlets, toys and more. Children, adults, animals, and patriotic visitors of all backgrounds and ages gathered to celebrate America’s Independence day once again.
Lucas Handke, 2-and-a-half-years-old, dances before the parade begins.
Rob Boyle of the Oak Harbor Yacht Club Buccaneers hands out beads to 3-year-old Finnigan Reilly, who was a fan of the pirate-themed parade float that made loud “booms.”
Bill and Elva McArthur of Oak Harbor watch the parade proceed with their niece, Olivia Santibanez.
Capt. Matthew Arny, commanding officer for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and his family wave to the crowd.
North Whidbey Fire and Rescue firefighter Michael Pelzer looks out from the truck as Tom Torgerson holds his 22-month-old son, Matthew Torgerson. Monica Torgerson of NWFR said her husband volunteered to walk in the parade with their son.
There were no shortages of flags at Oak Harbor’s parade.
Skyler Stephen waves to the crowd in the Habitat for Humanity of Island County parade float. He is the grandson of a homebuyer.
The NJROTC at Thursday’s parade march down the street.
American spirit was on display in many forms Thursday, including on Lucifer the Rottweiler who showed off his red, white and blue.
It was 3-month-old Adeline’s first Fourth of July celebration ever on Thursday. Her parents Carly and Cody Grassman come every year to the Oak Harbor parade, they said.
“Uncle Sam,” or Don Torcaso, said he had a good time Thursday at the Oak Harbor parade.
