POULSBO — Less than ideal weather but better than expected crowds marked Little Norway’s annual Independence Day celebration Saturday.

A spattering of rain and clouds that persisted throughout the day were the conditions July 3, but that didn’t keep parents and kids from turning out in droves for the live entertainment, carnival food, kids games, fun competitions and — of course — a fireworks display over Liberty Bay.

Mary Graves of Community Event Productions, organizer of the 16th annual Third of July Fireworks on the Fjord, said she was pleased with the turnout.

“I think it’s very busy,” Graves said, looking around at the crowds filling Anderson Parkway and Waterfront Park.

Perhaps the most anticipated events of the day were the annual food-related competitions, which Graves said were the biggest ever this year. The Albertsons watermelon seed spitting competition for adults garnered an impressive six men and seven women for an all out war to see who could spit a tiny seed the farthest.

Russell Tamm of Poulsbo came away as the Seed Spitting King for the men with a 33-foot attempt. Among a family that would dominate the Third of July competitions, Tamm was at a loss to explain how he learned to perform such an awesome feat.

“I don’t know, it must have been all those Fourth of July picnics,” he said with a laugh.

For Queen Seed Spitter Lynne Bryars ofPort Orchard, her talent was much more easy to quantify.

“It’s actually from chewing gum,” she explained. “I’d open the passenger seat windows and spit it out while I was driving and I had to make it or the gum would be in the car.”

Kids and grown ups got to participate in watermelon, ice cream and pizza eating contests. The “no hands” events produced cheers from the crowds and — at least with the ice cream and watermelon — very sticky results for the contestants. Everyone had their own techniques, from Nicholas Tamm, 13, who went at his slice of watermelon like a man possessed to Emily Pierce, 7, and her ice cream slurping prowess.

But when asked about their particular game plans, most eaters were just too woozy from the thrill of competition to explain. Except for Pierce, who said the talent to eat ice cream with the best of them came naturally.

“I just learned it myself,” she explained matter-of-factly.

Graves thanked Albertsons, Dairy Queen and Domino’s Pizza for sponsoring the annual events. She said the competitions, which drew hundreds of onlookers, are what make the annual event for her.

“When I see the kids and the parents have a good time, it’s worth all the effort,” she said.