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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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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Nestled in the foothills, just off the scenic Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway, is Philipsburg, Montana. Founded in 1867, this small town is rich in history, gems, and candy. At first glance it sort of looks like any other small western town; old buildings, dirt roads, like something time may have forgotten. But you should never judge a book by its cover; the same can be said about small towns.
 
The scenic countryside alone is worth the trip. Surrounded by hills and valleys and expansive views of mountains, Philipsburg is a great place to hang out for a while. The National Trust picked Philipsburg as one of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations for Historic Preservation and for a good reason. This small community of around 950 has a big heart and a warm welcome for the thousands of visitors coming through each year.
 
In the late 1800s Phillipsburg was prosperous and a part of the mining boom. It was around 1892 when mining for sapphires were first mined, today mining is still a big draw for visitors who travel from all over to sift and dig in gravel in search for a gem they can call own. The Sapphire Gallery, Montana Gems of Philipsburg, and Gem Mountain brings the miner out of its visitors, or is just a great place to purchase gems already mined and made available in a variety of ways.
 
Another sweet draw for visitors is The Sweet Place, the world's greatest candy store. The Victorian era decor, dressed in pink and white, takes visitors back in time. Hard candies, Jelly Belly, and over 72 varieties of salt-water taffy in jars attract visitors who fill their bags with yummy sweetness. In the middle of the store is sweet heaven with exquisite and enticing handmade chocolates and caramels too tempting to ignore and so many choices for visitors to enjoy. But it is the checkout line where visitor’s taste buds go into full swing… mouthwatering fudge that melts in your mouth and takes you to a sweet paradise you may never return from. The Sweet Place is a sensory overload of absolute deliciousness, a must for all visitors.