Now that’s a way to throw a birthday party.
Under sweltering sunny skies, community partners — including the City of Sequim, Sequim Arts Commission, KSQM 91.5 FM and the Sequim City Band — teamed up to throw an Independence Day celebration last week that packed the field at Carrie Blake Community Park’s James Center for the Performing Arts.
In the third year of free festivities to celebrate the nation’s independence, the event saw the Sequim City Band performing its annual “Patriotic 4th of July Concert,” Janine Miller’s free Luminary Workshop )“Let Your Little Light Shine”), more live entertainment from the Buck Ellard Band and Black Diamond Junction, fare from Sequim Valley Lions Club’s hot dog cart, Ulivo Pizzeria, Nomad Coffee, Cay Sal Frozen Pies and NW Cold Treats, and a beer and wine garden by The Cedars at Dungeness.
Capping the festivities was a fireworks show by Western Fireworks Display.
Barbara Hanna, Communications and Marketing Director for the City of Sequim, said initial count from organizers had about 300 cars t and near the James Center band shell, a couple of hundred at nearby Trinity United Methodist Church, a hundred or so at the Guy Cole Center and skate park/pickleball courts parking lot and dozens more at surrounding side streets and the QFC shopping center.
“Anecdotally, and visually, there were thousands [in attendance],” Hanna said, noting that there was some crowd turnover between music acts.
“The [Sequim] City Band has a very loyal following so there was some turnover,” she said. “We had a steady crowd all day.”
Sequim Gazette photos by Emily Matthiessen Ember Johnson, 16-months-old, chases after bubbles at Sequim’s Independence Day celebration.
Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen The extended family of Megan and Dylan Heck of Nomad Coffee, showed up to celebrate the Fourth of July at Carrie Blake Community Park. Pictured, from left, are Jim White, Tami White, Alex Cocca, Luke Cocca, Dylan Heck, Megan Heck holding Lucille Cocca, Kathy Martin, Edna White and Jimmy White. “We’ve never all been together in the city before,” Megan Heck said. “It feels really special to have them all supporting our business.”
Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / The Buck Ellard Band draws dancers from the crowd during the Independence Day celebration.
Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen Tyler Benedict leads the Sequim City Band at last week’s Independence Day celebration.
Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Mayor Tom Ferrell entertains the Sequim City Band with a series of jokes opening his Independence Day speech.
Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / The Buck Ellard Band draws dancers from the crowd during the Independence Day celebration.
Photo by Susan Baritelle / Fireworks, courtesy of Western Fireworks Display, light up the skies over Carrie Blake Community Park to cap Sequim’s Independence Day celebration on July 4.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Black Diamond Junction gets the crowd dancingat the Sequim Independence Day party on July 4 at Carrie Blake Community Park.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Peninsula favorite Black Diamond Junction keeps the crowd hopping at the Sequim Independence Day party on July 4 at Carrie Blake Community Park.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Peninsula favorite Black Diamond Junction keeps the crowd hopping at the Sequim Independence Day party on July 4 at Carrie Blake Community Park.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell Fireworks, courtesy of Western Fireworks Display, light up the skies over Carrie Blake Community Park to cap Sequim’s Independence Day celebration on July 4.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell Fireworks, courtesy of Western Fireworks Display, light up the skies over Carrie Blake Community Park to cap Sequim’s Independence Day celebration on July 4.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Peninsula favorite Black Diamond Junction keeps the crowd hopping at the Sequim Independence Day party on July 4 at Carrie Blake Community Park.
