Hopefully sunscreen will finally be the order of the day around here when the Kingston’s Fourth of July celebration takes place July 3-4. It gets underway with the Slug Races, the first event at Tiny Town, and ends at the speed of rockets when the fireworks blast off from a barge in Appletree Cove.

New this year is the inaugural Kingston 5K Community Fourth of July Fun Run for runners and walkers of all ages.

From a sweet start at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club Pancake Breakfast and festive Kingston Farmers Market, to the best hometown parade anywhere, dancing the day away to rockin’ blues and classics at the music festival (where Wolfle Elementary students will see some of their teachers on stage rockin’ out) and then finally settling in for the spectacular fireworks display – Kingston’s Fourth of July is definitely not the time to leave town for a summer vacation.

Tiny Town Schedule of Events July 3-4

Tiny Town on Ed Moon Field in Kola Kole Park is a great way for families to kickoff Kingston’s Fourth of July with their very own festival to take part in community traditions like the Slug Races, Dunk Tank and Blessing of the Animals. The miniature wooden storefronts are just right for pint-sized kids to settle into and make crafts after a trot around the Ed Moon Ball Field on a pony. There’s also a shaded tiny tot play area for the wee ones.

The stage features local talent all day, from dancers to teen rock bands. After the parade, Miss Kingston and her court will award trophies in several categories for best parade entries.

Several food and craft vendors set up by local groups this year include even more free craft activities for kids. As a special treat, kids will get free snow cones and cotton candy (one serving each per day). The popular air-filled amusements will be there as well as other activities to burn off all that sugar. (Due to the deteriorated condition of the putt-putt golf course, it is discontinued this year.)

Volunteers are still needed at Tiny Town. Contact Samantha Graham at (360) 779-9820 or (360) 551-1572.

Tiny Town Stage Schedule

Thursday, July 3

10 a.m. Slug Races!

10:30 a.m. Kingston Middle School Rock ‘n’ Roll Ensemble

11:30 a.m. Cake Walk

12 p.m. Addy Francis, vocalist

12:30 p.m. Peter Spencer, original acoustic blues

2 p.m. Katie Webster

3 p.m. Pie-Eating Contest

4 p.m. Paul Williams, vocal standards

Friday, July 4

10 a.m. Blessings of the Animals by Deacon Ray Sheldon**

10:15 a.m. Slug Races!

10:30 p.m. Kingston Middle School Rock ‘n’ Roll Ensemble

11:30 a.m. Liberty Bay Danceworks

12 p.m. Stage break for parade, then parade awards

1:45 p.m. Pie-Eating Contest

2 p.m. Katie Webster

3 p.m. Bruce & Debora Jakola and OFS

4 p.m. Paul Williams, vocal standards

4:30 p.m. Cake Walk

**Community member are invited to bring animals (all shapes and sizes) where they will receive a blessing from Deacon Ray Sheldon of Faith Episcopal Church. Call (360) 271-4987 for more information.

✷ Kingston 5K Inaugural Community Fun Run

This first annual community fun run is for runners and walkers of all ages with proceeds benefiting the Kingston and Poulsbo high schools’ cross country teams. The race begins at 8:45 a.m. with registration open from 7:30-8:30 a.m. the day of the race. The starting line is at the corner of Central Avenue and West Kingston Road behind the Kingston Chamber of Commerce. The five-kilometer course (about 3.1 miles) runs down West Kingston to the high school where it loops around and returns back where it started.

Kids are encouraged to participate!

Cost is $10 for ages 13 and older, free for youth 12 and younger. Awards will be presented to top finishers in each age group and all participants receive a ribbon. A drawing will also be held with prizes located by local merchants. Registration forms are available at www.kingstonrunning.org. The event is sponsored by Kingston Running and Walking, Beebe & Roberts Attorneys, The Ogden Group.net, the Committees of the Fourth July, the Port of Kingston and Kingston Crossing Chiropractic.

✷ Fourth of July Kingston Farmers Market

The Kingston Farmers Market’s special Fourth of July event at Mike Wallace Park takes place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Island Jamz will provide great musical accompaniment to the festive air of the market. As always, local produce, fresh-cut flowers, honey and jam, baked goods and fine arts will be for sale, as well as heaping plates of savory breakfast and lunch entrees.

✷ “From Sea

to Shining Sea”

Fourth of July Parade

The oldest parade this side of the Mississippi and Kingston’s biggest draw of the year gets underway about 12:15 (once the ferry unloads and traffic gets through town), starting at the Kingston Thriftway Shopping Center and heading down Highway 104 to the ferry terminal.

Registration for parade entries begins at 10 a.m. at the corner of Henery Hardware and John L. Scott in the Kingston Thriftway shopping center. Don’t forget to have proof of insurance and someone walking next to each wheel of vehicles or floats if throwing candy.

The parade will feature a contingent from Kingston High School, the VFW Color Guard, Miss Kingston and Kitsap royalty and no doubt, since this is an election year, a convoy of politicians.

Grand Marshall of this year’s parade is Gene Medina who recently retired as superintendent of the North Kitsap School District.

The Kingston Cove Yacht Club’s Helen Meredith Award this year goes to Ann Wetter.

The Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce’s Persons of the Year Award goes to Bobbie and Walt Elliott.

All four of these celebrated folks put uncountable hours and pounds of passion into improving Kingston – its schools, library, trails, parks and community framework. Congratulations!

If you haven’t already submitted a parade application, you’re almost out of time! Contact Jet Wolke at (360) 297-0308 or (360) 638-2960, or Bev Pierce at (360) 297-1067.

The Ball Race

Kingston Revitalization Association’s Ball Race gets underway at about 1:30 p.m. after the parade down Central Avenue off West Kingston Road. Balls may be purchased at the Kingston Farmers Market, American Marine Bank or at the Kingston Chamber of Commerce. Cost is $1 per ball or six for $5. Winners receive cash prizes. All proceeds benefit the hanging flower baskets, signs, other beautification projects and special events.

Music Festival at Mike Wallace Park

Music Festival Stage Schedule

Mike Wallace Park at the Kingston marina will once again be jumping with concerts from 4 p.m. until dusk when the fireworks begin.

4-4:30 p.m. Marilyn Fick, acoustic guitar

4:30-6 p.m. Blues Counselors, a rocking blues band made up of staff from local schools.

6:30-8 p.m. House of Cards, Kingston’s popular local band belting out favorites.

8:30-dusk Freddy Pink, blues and rock from a fully loaded brass section and band.

FIREWORKS light up the sky over Appletree Cove at dusk, a stellar display performed by Western Display Fireworks.

✷ Music Festival

Stage Schedule

Mike Wallace Park at the Kingston marina will once again be jumping with concerts from 4 p.m. until dusk when the fireworks begin.

4-4:30 p.m. : Marilyn Fick, acoustic guitar

4:30-6 p.m. : Blues Counselors, a rocking blues band made up

of staff from local schools.

6:30-8 p.m. : House of Cards, Kingston’s popular local band belting out favorites.

8:30-dusk : Freddy Pink, blues and rock from a fully loaded brass section and band.

Give a little, get a lot

The Committees of the Fourth of July are still

accepting much-needed donations to sponsor all

the day’s activities, all of which are supported solely by community donations. If you haven’t done

so already, help support Kingston’s grand event

and send a check to: The Committees of the Fourth

of July, P.O. Box 1505, Kingston, WA 98346

or contact Pete DeBoer at (360) 649-1806.