Like New York City’s Statue of Liberty, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge or Seattle’s Space Needle, Deception Pass Bridge has become a famous landmark and destination place that draws thousands of visitors each year. So it only seems natural that as the bridge approaches its 75th year, local officials would want to throw it a fabulous birthday party.
Jack Hartt, park manager and a member of the Deception Pass Park Foundation, said the bridge holds huge meaning for the island.
“Without the bridge we wouldn’t be who we are,” he said. “It allows commerce to take place, visitors to get here and residents to get on and off the island.”
Hartt will serve as emcee for the ceremony which begins at noon Saturday, July 31, in the parking lot at the south end of the bridge. State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, Rep. Barbara Bailey, Island County Commissioner John Dean and Oak Harbor Mayor Jim Slowik will give a few short speeches and share pieces of the bridge’s history.
Around 12:25 p.m., a parade of pre-1935 cars will drive across the pass and Navy planes will fly overhead, closing the bridge to traffic for about three minutes. After the procession, a ribbon cutting, much like the one that took place 75 years ago, will be performed to reopen the highway.
After the ceremony, there will be a variety of activities going on at East Cranberry Lake in Deception Pass State Park. A community picnic is scheduled from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. On site there will be food vendors like Shonuff BBQ, Samish Salmon Fry and kettle corn. Activities will include historical photos booths, games, storytelling and music by Cannery Row.
“This is just a way to celebrate what it does for us,” Hartt said. “It connects our communities and keeps us from getting isolated on the island.”
Later in the evening at 7 p.m., the Shifty Sailors will be performing at the East Cranberry Lake Shelter as part of the “Summer Art in the Park” free concert series.
The Shifty Sailors are a group of 20 Whidbey Island men who have been singing together for 17 years. They have toured in Europe, Hawaii and on the East Coast. Member Vern Olsen said they are happy to be part of the celebration.
“We’re always excited about singing and we love to do things that have real ties to the water and history,” he said.
Members of the planning committee advise people to take public transit to the celebration as parking will be limited. There will be no parking available at the bridge. The lots near East Cranberry will be open, but people who want to park there will need to get their spots early. Between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., a roundtrip shuttle will be taking people from East Cranberry Lake to the ceremony. The shuttle is first-come, first-serve and seating is limited. Additionally, there will be shuttle service from an overflow parking lot south of Soundview Shopper between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
At a glance
• What: 75th birthday party for Deception Pass Bridge.
• Date: Saturday, July 31.
• Where: Ceremonies at the bridge.
• Time: Speeches at noon, old car caravan 12:25, Navy flyover around the same time, followed by ribbon cutting to reopen the bridge.
• Picnic: 1 to 5 p.m. at Cranberry Lake in Deception Pass State Park, with food booths, entertainment, stories, games and more.
• Concert: Shifty Sailors at 7 p.m., East Cranberry Lake Shelter.
