Another Carnation Fourth of July Celebration has passed. This year’s event was amazing, the weather was perfect. We had 632 runners in the 5K Run for the Pies, our largest to date, and this year’s run ended with everyone getting a piece of the pie, thanks to Remlinger Farms.

We had a great turn out for the car show; this year it was in town looks like we found its future location on W. Commercial Street right between Blue Iris and Red Pepper Pizza. Al Hanson, the chairperson, also the owner of Blue Iris, took this on when no one else would step up and what a great job he did.

We had 21 teams in the 3 on 3 basketball tournament, at the Tolt MacDonald Park at a new location which turned out great, and our chairperson Amy Hammontree had room for additional courts.

Our parade drew a record crowd and the kiddie parade was the largest we have had. Every year it seems to get bigger and bigger, the Grand Parade was led by our very own fire department, Eastside Fire & Rescue and they had special guest Yolie and her two sons, Jacob and Edward and Mayor Will Ibershof from Duvall. They won this honor at the Snoqualmie Valley Community Network Gala in February.

Our judges this year was the Riverview Schools Committee; we appreciate them taking the time to pick all the first place winners. Our Grand Marshal, George Magnochi, got the honor to award the Grand Marshal Award which went to the Ixtapa horses. A huge thank to you to our parade announcers and MC’s for the morning activities, Jack Ballard and Stuart Lisk.

The entertainment this year was outstanding. We started with the Cameratas, a Cedarcrest High School quartet, performing the national anthem after the Boy Scouts Troop 411 raised the flag. After the parade we had entertainment all over the town — the West Coast Country Heat Dancer performed and taught line dance to the crowd, followed by the Ixtapa horses and the mariachi band and dancers.

Over at the Tolt Commons, Eastside Story did Improv and the Duvall Children’s Theatre Project performed “Snow Red and the Seven Pigs.” Down at Blake’s Stage Los Orchids opened the show followed by Jeff Zuber. At Tolt MacDonald Park, Amy Meyers opened the day with the national anthem before the Jack Ballard Band entered the stage. Back downtown, Flip and the Hydro’s rocked out at Pete’s Club Grill.

We ended the evening with a Beatles tribute band, Abbey Road, followed by the Cameratas performing “God Bless the USA” and Clair Walker singing the national anthem. Then we all enjoyed a 25-minute fireworks display which was out of the world.

All our vendors had a successful day many of the food vendors sold out. Denise Crutchfield said we have never sold so much water. There was a crowd all day and they got to be entertained by our wandering magician. The kids and adults had fun with dodgeball, knockerball and archery. I think we had something for everyone.

This event could not have been put on without the awesome teamwork of our committee and all the great volunteers that support this committee: Kim Lisk, chairperson and parade; Shelby Winston, treasurer; Theresa Tenney, secretary; Gene Ragsdale, web-designer; Kevin Crutchfield, facilities; Nicole Pitts-5K run; Denise Crutchfield, vendors and beer garden; Sydney Lisk, vendors; Al Hanson, car show; Amy Hammontree, basketball tournament; Morgan Henley and Gibson Lisk, entertainment; Miles Denison and Steve Borquez, stage, sound and lighting, Mark Thiery King County Parks; Bill Ferry, Carnation Public Works; CERT; Officer Scott Allen and the city of Carnation’s support Mary, Becky, Kelley and interim City Manager Bob Jean.

And thanks to our fantastic sponsors and donors, R.C. Zeigler Company, Nicole Ji Realty, BTP, PhysicoCare, Ixtapa, Remlinger Farms, Swim with Kim, Forever Fit, Blue Iris, Tolt Laundry, Carnation Storage, Sandy’s Espresso, Red Pepper Pizza, Blake’s Pizzeria, Life in Balance, Carnation Chamber, Re-Fuel, Recology, Hopelink, King County Parks and King County Sheriff, Pete’s Club Grill, the Sno-Valley Senior Center, Blue Heron Golf Course, Carnation Tree Farm, Tolt Storage, Soul Mates, TBC Consignment, Weaver Financial, Hultquist Homes, Shoe-n-Feet, My Fair Lady, Columbia, Piccola Cellars, Mac & Jacks, Edward Jones Tolt Family Medicine, and the City of Carnation.

Thank you to all the participates and to everyone who came and enjoyed the day.

See you July 4th 2018. Until then.

Kim Lisk

Carnation