The sun’s bright rays were long lasting, the barbecue filled bellies and the fireworks proved to be a delightful capper for Oak Harbor’s Fourth of July festivities held Wednesday.

Dozens of people began their holiday at pancake breakfasts hosted by the North Whidbey Firefighters Association and Rotary.

The grand parade — the first big hoorah of the day — brought out throngs of spectators who faithfully arrived early to secure their spot along Pioneer Way. The Rotary organized parade featured color guards, Little Leaguers, Boy Scouts, Camp Fire kids, politicians, vintage tractors and more.

The Colonial Critters 4-H club — just one of many 4-H clubs in attendance — came dressed in period garb in tribute to their animal’s colonial times. Pirates bucaneered an Oak Harbor Yacht Club ship. Captain Jack Sparrow, Davy Jones and crew brought merriment and awareness for their fund-raising appearance July 21 at Windjammer Park for the Red Cross.

The parade celebrated not only our country’s independence but also its international flair. The Fil-Am Association looked dazzling, as usual. The Japanese Women’s Association delicately danced. And a troop of kids waved flags of many nations.

After the parade, people grabbed lunch and reapplied sunscreen before heading to Windjammer Park to enjoy the rest of the day’s festivities. Pleasant temperature highs and a mid-week holiday kept the park bustling all day.

“It was packed,” said Jill Johnson, executive director of the Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce. “That’s one of the best turnouts I’ve seen in a long time.”

Johnson predicts it was the midweek date that helped boost numbers. Family-friendly activities in addition to the food booths, vendors, carnival rides and already existing Windjammer Park amenities kept kids of all ages entertained all day.

The crowd walked on egg shells awaiting the outcome of the Coachman Inn community egg toss. Third place went to Australian Paul Chattam and his partner Tasi Clancy of Ferndale. Art and Lexus Lander held out for second place. The brother sister duo of 12-year-old Monica and 7-year-old Martin Olloren kept soft hands long enough to win the contest.

“It was basically luck,” Monica said. “That and the grass helped a lot.”

Contestants brought their appetite for the Chugach pie eating contest in which people had to lap up a whipped cream pie.

Eight-year-old twins Lucas and William Nickelson sat at one corner of the table getting their game faces on for the kids’ contest.

“I’m ready,” each chimed.

Orien Altman, 8, scarffed his whipped cream the fastest and flung his pie tin into the air. Sage Gerbers, 11, was right behind him while Amanda Peterson, 11, ate fast enough for third.

Shortly before the adults’ pie eating contest, chants of “pie Paul, pie Paul” grew as the friends of visiting Aussie Paul Chattam tried to boost his morale. But despite bringing his own corner man and wearing his “Hug an Aussie” sandwich board sign for luck, Chattam lost out. He took second to Oak Harbor’s Susan Johnson, while Roaxanne Turner ate her way to third.

More than 30 kids and a dozen adults twirled their way through the North End Fitness hula hoop contest.

“The kids went on forever,” Johnson said. “After 20 minutes there were no signs they were stopping.”

To whittle down the hula hoopers the top five were asked to stand on one foot, then turn around. When three remained it was evident no hoops would fall.

“They could do tricks and everything. It was really entertaining,” Johnson said.

The Kenmore Air jalapeño eating contest proved to be hot competition for both kids and adults alike.

Devin Peterson, 12, sat down for the contest just to see how things would go.

“It seems like a challenge,” Peterson said. “I think I might eat 30.”

Every kid at the table proved to be up for the challenge.

“Those kids really surprised everyone with all the jalapeños they ate,” Johnson said.

It was the second jalapeño eating contest for first place winner, 15-year-old Dustin Robles.

“Last time I entered I was 12,” he said.

Robles was able to chomp 10 piping hot peppers while third place winner Orien Altman toughed out eating eight peppers. The second place winner was pepped up and scurried away too quickly to give his name.

The lesson learned this Fourth of July? More people enjoy chomping down fiery peppers than you’d think.

Contestants in the adult contest were already eating their way through double digits by the 30 second mark when the jalapeño supply simply sizzled out. Many showed disappointment at not being able to eat their fill and get a true number on their bragging rights — but in the end it was called a draw.

Because of the shortage of peppers, all adult contestants received a free carnival bracelet and were entered into a drawing for the $50 prize.

“Next year we’ll have cases of jalapeños so everyone better be ready,” Johnson said.

The Comcast Sack races proved to be one of the highlight events of the day. Three heats were needed to divvy up the crowd of contestants. Kids 10 and under, kids ages 11 to 15, and everyone else 14 and up hop, hop, hopped their way across the course on their way to a hopeful win.

“It was definitely our most popular event,” Johnson said. “We had whole families involved and people really sticking around to root everyone on.”

The fireworks that started shortly after 10:20 p.m. proved to be quite the extravaganza.

“Watching those fireworks and realizing how many people chip in to make it happen makes it all the more special,” Johnson said. “At the end of the day you know it’s all been worthwhile.”

Nora O’Connell Balda from leading fireworks sponsor RE/Max Acorn Properties set charge to the first fireworks after pyrotechnicians OK’d a start that was delayed in a wait for more darkness.

“They really wanted people to get the most out of the experience,” Johnson said.

The festivities didn’t stop with the Fourth. The carnival will continue down at Windjammer Park through Sunday, July 8.