10 Highlights of the Anacortes, WA 4th of July Parade

Anacortes, WA knows how to celebrate the 4th. With a day filled with events, locals and visitors celebrate the 4th of July in true Anacortes style. Kicking of the day-long festivities is the traditional town photo. Crowding close together, the towns people of Anacortes capture another moment in Anacortes history.

By 10:30 a.m. the crowds lined the streets for the main event... The Anacortes Parade. From 4th to 11th street, each inch of the sidewalks this year was lined with people, by far, the largest crowd to-date.

An hour and a half long, here are the 10 highlights of the parade.

1. The Size and Enthusiasm of the Crowd

This year was the largest crowd for the Anacortes 4th of July parade. With the newly paved and painted downtown streets, children lined up in the bicycle lane anxiously waiting for the candy.

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2. The Flyover

Two jets and the rescue helicopter from Whidbey NAS (Naval Air Station) kicked off the parade. The crowd cheered in ah as they flew overhead.

3. Entertainment

The crowd hollered and whooped as Popeye stopped in the intersection to give Olive Oyl a big smooch on the cheek.

A crowd favorite, the Twisted Pixies each year devise new costumes and dance their way along the parade route.

4.Intergalactic Visitor

Children and parents welcomed the first Anacortes Intergalactic guest as he raised the American Flag in greetings.

5. Special Guests - Anacortes welcomes Sister City... Sidney, B.C.

Sister City, Sidney, B.C. continued their celebration of 150 years by attending its Sister City, Anacortes' 4th of July Parade.

6. Town Criers

Town Crier for Sidney, B.C.

Town Crier for Anacortes, WA

Each year, the Anacortes Town Crier, Richard Riddell, begins the parade in true Town Crier Form. This year, special guest, Kenny (Sidney, B.C. Town Crier) joined Richard combining two great communities together as they both celebrated their Independence.

7. The Princess Wave

No parade is complete without the wave of a Princess. This year, little girls (and boys) were waved to by a float filled with Princesses.

8. The Men and Women Who Serve

A BIG Thank you to all the men an women who serve our Nation and our Communities.

9. The Big Guys

Each year the parade ends with these guys from Shell, a big hit with the kids as they scuttle their way down the parade route.

10. The Locals

What really makes a great 4th of July parade (and Community) are the people. Thank you to all.
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Yep, Anacortes, WA knows how to celebrate the 4th of July.

​by Karla Locke

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