Oak Harbor’s premier patriotic festival is around the corner and Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce is planning another great Fourth of July.

The carnival will be coming to town July 2-6 for the celebration. Advance tickets may be purchased at the Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce for $15, a savings of $4 per ticket, until July 1, at 5 p.m. promptly.

The start to the excitement is the parade, which Oak Harbor Rotary puts on, down Pioneer Way. It kicks off with a flyover from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station at 11 a.m.

At City Beach Park there are food and vendor booths on the beach, the carnival, old fashioned kids’ games and more.

The second annual Rubber Ducky Regatta sets sail at 3 p.m. Entries are being accepted for teams to build a boat, and race it in the lagoon for cash prizes. Last year’s first place winners were the Cantankerous Crabs, a group of sailors from NAS Whidbey. The $15 entry fee includes four Rubber Ducky Regatta T-shirts for the participating team members.

“Last year, the EOD unit that served as lifeguards for us, only had to save one crew, the sinking Island Clowns. This year, the clowns have told me that they plan to uphold all of the traditions of the race,” said Priscilla Heistad, excutive director of Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce.

New this year, is a chili cook off. Entrants will be competing for cash prizes and the title of the Best Chili in Town. Cooking begins at noon, and judging is at 4:30 p.m. The $10 entry fee includes a souvenir apron to commemorate the event. After the judging, the public can enjoy tasting all of the great chili for just $1 per cup until 6:00 p.m. All proceeds benefit the night’s fireworks display.

Entry forms for the chili cook off and Rubber Ducky Regatta may be picked up at the Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce 32630 State Route 20, Oak Harbor or call 675-3755 and they will send you one.

The fireworks extravaganza will kick off at dusk, usually around 10 p.m. Pyro Doc, David O’Neill, will again be lighting off a great show. The annual goal of $10,000 is needed to put on another high quality show. Private and corporate contributions may be made to the chamber of commerce, earmarked for fireworks.

For more information call Priscilla Heistad, executive director of Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce at 675-3755.