POULSBO— With only three days to go, there is just one more ingredient co-organizer Sandra Peterson needs to make Tuesday’s Third of July celebration a success: sunshine.

“We are just really excited about the weather,” Peterson said. “With sun and a great turnout, it will be a blast.”

Participants can expect a full night on the Third, including Western Display fireworks, a 6:10 p.m. Beechcraft Bonanza civilian air show, watermelon-seed spitting and dancing into the early hours of the morning, co-organizer Mike McLaughin said.

“There’s something for everyone but the stick in the mud,” McLaughlin said. “There are a million little last minute details, but planning is going extremely well.”

Other events include eating contests and the gypsy jazz band Ranger and the Rearrangers, as well as a 6 p.m. speech from Poulsbo Mayor Kathryn Quade and an opportunity to write personal notes of appreciation to those serving in the Armed Forces.

“I’m looking forward to it, and citizens always have a great time,” Poulsbo City Councilwoman Connie Lord said. “It’s a great event that brings a lot of families togther.”

Peterson, who took over planning the Third of July with McLaughlin earlier this year, said taking the reigns on the celebration wasn’t hard to do.

“Mary Graves started a wonderful event,” Peterson said. “When everybody loves the event, it’s easy to take it over.”

McLaughlin said the planning road was a bit rocky, though he hopes things go smoothly so that everyone has a good time. “We started with no sponsors, just an idea,” McLaughlin said. “We see this year as a springboard for next year and the year after. We’ll get the details ironed out. Hopefully creating a transportation station will give people a reason to come and join the Third of July again.”

Shuttles to Poulsbo’s annual downtown event begin running from the Poulsbo Wal-Mart, North Kitsap High School and the Suquamish Clearwater Casino at noon July 3 and continue until 12:30 a.m. July 4. Lord said she hopes the shuttle system will be a success.

“I don’t expect it to be a perfect solution, but it’s a start and I applaud Mike and Sandra for doing it,” Lord said. “I’m sure there will be a few kinks, but it’s worth trying.”

Volunteers 21 and older are still needed between 7 p.m. and midnight. For more information on Poulsbo’s Third of July bus schedule and festivities, visit www.fireworksonthefjord.com or call (360) 779-2121.