By Bill Reynolds
La Conner Community News
Short, subdued and fun.
That pretty much sums up La Conner’s Fourth of July Parade celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary, a downtown serpentine that while short on entries was greeted by large and appreciative throngs lining the length of both sides of First Street.
The local procession, highlighted by the always popular Meow Mix Mobile, a convoy of vintage vehicles, and introduction of the town’s new blue trolley bus—its passengers included Mayor Marna Hanneman—lasted just 15 minutes.
Even so, it was just long enough to meet most expectations.
Grace Brown, 11, of Lacey, enjoyed Tony and Gina Johnson’s tune-blasting orange feline on wheels.
“I liked the catmobile the best,” she said afterward. “It was really cool.”
Grace was here with parents Ja’Wanne and Stacy Winn Brown, in town for her mom’s La Conner High Class of 1996 reunion weekend.
Weather conditions were favorable despite a heavy overcast that threatened rain as parade entrants began gathering at the La Conner Marina’s south basin parking lot an hour ahead of the 12 Noon start time.
Fortunately, umbrellas went unfurled.
“Longsleeves and no rain, that works for me,” said Skagit County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Ben Hagglund, who administers the department’s La Conner detachment and was part of the public safety team providing traffic control.
Town Administrator Scott Thomas did his part, too. Make that, parts.
Thomas helped guide parking at the south basin, secured signed registration forms from participants, and entered the parade himself, bringing up the rear in his Mazda convertible.
“It’s one of those events,” he explained, “where it’s all hands on deck.”
As far as fashion goes, fewer folks this year sported bright red, white, and blue apparel, though La Conner Retirement Inn resident Brad Bradford and John Haley of Inspire Church scored serious style points. Bradford swapped his WSU ball cap for a distinctly patriotic top hat and Haley donned Star-Spangled bib overalls with matching eyeglasses.
For Haley, modern technology was in large measure responsible for his historic look.
“I ordered them online,” he said of his Independence Day garb.
With its brevity, the La Conner parade followed precedent established long ago in Philadelphia.The instrument by which American independence was declared is deemed quite short, consisting of just 1,337 words including 56 signatures. It can be read aloud in seven minutes or less.
Formally approved on July 4, 1776 by the Continental Congress, the amended draft of the Declaration of Independence—written primarily by Thomas Jefferson with input from Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston—is only one-third the length of the U.S. Constitution.
Historians agree that Jefferson achieved his goal of penning a document marked by simple and uncluttered language.
The fun and festive vibe of La Conner’s parade carried throughout the rest of the day. Live music, food, and beverages were served up at the marina that evening as part of an annual fundraiser by the Rick Epting Foundation benefitting La Conner youth and music programs.
Then, at dusk, there were fireworks over Swinomish Channel for several hours with much of the pyrotechnic show put on by tribal vendors, most notably Swinomish Senator Rodney John. The lengthy barrage of skyrockets was another local link to the nation’s founding—a momentous occasion best captured by Adams.
The future second president of the United States correctly predicted that American independence would be “celebrated by succeeding generations as the Day of Deliverance.”
“It ought to be solemnized,” he said, “with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from this time forward forever more.”
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
