C
Section
Wednesday June 28, 2017
Le ader Special Focus
A “girl wearing patriotic dress” is the title of this undated historic photograph from the Wilcox family collection. Photo courtesy Jefferson County Historical Society Research Center and the Jefferson County Historical Society
Anami of Velvet Revolution cheered on the crowed during the 2015 tug-of-war. This year, Velvet Revolution will be bringing its photo booth the Old School 4th of July. Leader file photo
then & now
PT celebrated with games, parades, prizes
'Old School' 4th of July booms at Fort Worden
For some years, there were no celebrations
‘Biggest party’ offers traditional events
Allison Arthur aarthur@ptleader.com
Katie Kowalski arts@ptleader.com
Celebrations tell you a lot about a community. And for more than 100 years, The Leader has been reporting about those celebrations – who created them, what happened, where they were and how it all went. The Jefferson County Historical Society is now the keeper of all things past in the county and so The Leader journeyed to the Jefferson County Historical Society Research Center where long-time volunteer Al Standish was happy to pull out brittle microfilmed copies of newspapers from back then to glimpse at past Fourth of July celebrations in Jefferson County. Archivist Marsha Moratti said the Fourth of July was a big deal, especially back before World War II. Then the Rhododendron Festival came into vogue and the parades and processions on the Fourth seemed to
dwindle. It's not that Jefferson County was always patriotic.
The “Old School” 4th of July celebration at Fort Worden State Park aims to amp up the summer holidays and celebrate the spirit of community and our American roots. “It's of, by and for the people of Port Townsend,” said Thunderbull Production's Danny Milholland of the third annual event. The homegrown event that's become one of the biggest parties in Jefferson County is produced by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Thunderbull Productions. It offers a range of events and activities, from old-school traditions like a watermelon-eating contest and tug-ofwar competition to miniature golf and birdhouse making, and is filled with live music, food, including 1,000 free root beer floats, face-painting and fun. “This is the biggest party that we do that is really for the community,” said Milholland. And of course, no Independence Day
QUEEN’S JUBILEE In the first year chosen for a glimpse into the past, there was a whiff of political indignation: “Wind and Wave,” was the main headline on the front page in 1897 and then four smaller headlines followed, including “American vessels did not float the Stars and Stripes on Fourth,” “Lessons in Loyalty,” and “British Vessels were decorated for the Fourth as for Queen's Jubilee.” The thrust of the story was that there was “little evidence” of Port Townsend Bay showing off an American spirit on the Fourth of July. “In fact, it looked much more like a British holiday, for of all the vessels in the harbor, none were decorated except the British, which were just as gaily bedecked as they were recently, See PAST, page 6▼
celebration would be complete without fireworks: A display culminates the day at 10:10 that evening. The day at Fort Worden is made even more festive with Centrum's 40th annual Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, which is presenting two performances at McCurdy Pavilion on Tuesday. VENDORS A host of vendors offer food and drinks throughout the day. Local food vendors include Paella House, Java Gypsy Coffeehouse, Mo-Chilli BBQ, Barbarian Fine Cuisine, Pane D’Amore, Fiddlehead Creamery, La Crepe de Quimper, Flutter By Pizza Pie, Candice’s Donuts, The Seafood Spot and 4th of July barbecue and beer, wine and cider garden hosted by the Fort Worden PDA. Additional vendors include Sacred Skin Henna, Face Painting by Alexa Rose, the Amazing Time Stopping Contraption Photo Booth and James Jackson Massage Therapy. Custom T-Shirts are available. See ‘Old School’, page 3▼
Enjoy the freedom of flight! ...in our New Rental Plane
Celebrate Independence Life Care Center of Port Townsend Short-term therapy • 360.385.3555 • 751 Kearney St. Port Townsend, WA 98368 • LifeCareCenterOfPortTownsend.com
Linda Morrison
Carl Nepute
FLIGHT TRAINING • ReNTALs • sALes ResToRATIoN • INspecTIoN • MAINTeNANce 94108
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY
Meet our trainers!
tailspin tommy’s
Jefferson County Int’l Airport • Sequim Valley Airport
360.385.1308
tailspintommys@gmail.com • tailspintommy.com
Don’t forget to attend Port Townsend Summer Band’s free public concert on the 4th of July at the American Legion Hall at 7:30pm!
24-Hour Emergency Service 360-385-4160 4720 Haines Street Port Townsend, WA 98368-0806