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Wednesday May 23, 2018
ptleader.com 8 3 R D F E S T I VA L K E E P S A K E
Tongue out, wheels back
While parading near the Tonka Toys 4x4 Club, one brave soul shows off doing a wheelie down a portion of Water Street during the Grand Parade on his Tonka Toy. Photo by Kelli Ameling
A ‘remarkable’ Rhody Festival KELLI AMELING KAMELING@PTLEADER.COM The 83rd annual Rhododendron Festival went off without a hitch, making organizers praise not just the overall experience, but the volunteers who made it happen. “I personally want to thank each one of my board members and community volunteers that helped make this week a huge success,” said Rhododendron Festival Association President Brandi Hamon. The theme of “Off to Rhodyland” did not disappoint with young and old dressing to the nines to make sure they fit in with Rhody Fest tradition from May 16-20. “Everything went remarkably well,” Hamon said of the festival. This year, the board decided to spice things up by changing how the annual Pet Parade marched through town by deciding to have a police escort and have participants parade in a single-file line.
“And, it was amazing,” she said, noting in past years, categories were clumped together as they paraded. “I’ve heard many people comment on how this was the best pet parade.” The board of directors and members at large are not wasting any time planning for the 84th annual parade to help make sure of another satisfying year. “They amount of planning involved for Rhody week is months long from all involved,” Hamon said, adding she appreciated the help of the Port Townsend Police Department and their volunteers for helping with Rhody planning and its success. For the next Rhody Festival, the Rhododendron Festival Association will be looking for a new place to hold the carnival. “Which could potentially move most of our weekly events to a new location as well,” Hamon said, adding the association is always open to suggestions on how to grow the festival.
Singers from Ukuleles Unite! of Port Townsend belt out a tune during the Grand Parade on May 19. Photo by Kelli Ameling
The Buapang Traditional Siam Community of Port Townsend sport their traditional wear during the Grand Parade at the Rhody Festival on May 19. Photo by Lloyd Mullen
2018 Grand Parade winners Out of more than 110 entries into the Grand Parade May 19, the best were selected in each category for Rhody Fest recognition:
• Forks Old Fashioned 4th of July • Jefferson Community Foundation • Arrow Lumber & Hardware
FLOATS CHAIRMAN’S AWARD’S •Puget Sound Rhody Award (Grand Sweepstakes) • Jefferson County Fair – McCleary Bear Festival • NW Maritime Center Long Boats • Admiralty Award – Daffodil Festival • City of Dreams Award – Clallam County Fair BANDS 4A • Key City Award – Mason County Forest Festival • Wenatchee Golden Apple Marching Band SPECIAL RECOGNITION 3A • Fathoms of Fun, Capital Lakefair, Sequim • Central Kitsap Marching Band Irrigation Festival • Ingraham High School Marching Band 2A CATEGORY ENTRIES • Sequim High School Marching Band • Outstanding Car Club – Olympic Peninsula Rat • Bellingham High School Marching Band Racers • Port Angeles Roughrider Marching Band • Best Decorated Car – Bob Norse’s Classic Chevy • Best Commercial Entry – Sound Storage/Brass 1A Screw Confederacy • Rochester High School Band • Best Local Community Entry Motorized – • Chimacum High School Band Ukuleles Unite • Meridian Marching Band • Best Local Community Entry Non-Motorized – COMBINED HIGH SCHOOL/MIDDLE SCHOOL BANDS Roboctopi 4-H club and Friends • Cavelero Mid/High Marching Band • Best Community Float – Jefferson County Fair • Best Specialty Drill Team – NW Maritime • White River Marching Band Center • Klahowya Secondary School Band SPECIAL RECOGNITION MIDDLE/JR HIGH BANDS • Jefferson Transit Authority • Totem Middle School Band • Washington Midsummer Renaissance Fair • Chimacum Middle School Band