PORT ANGELES — Crowds celebrated the Fourth of July in downtown Port Angeles with events that included a hot dog eating contest, an apple pie baking contest, a lawn mower derby, a nationally touring Beatles cover band named Abby Road, a parade through downtown and a fireworks show.
In Sequim, residents attended Sequim City Band’s annual “A Patriotic 4th of July Concert,” heard music by the Buck Ellard Band and Black Diamond Junction before watching a public fireworks show.
In Forks, Monday was the last of four days of Independence Day celebration with a kiddie parade, Grand Parade, Demolition Derby and fireworks among other events.
The Port Angeles hot dog eating contest, sponsored by The Red Lion Hotel, was held in the pavilion of the Gateway Transit Center. The six contestants — four men, one woman and one girl — competed to see who could eat 12 hot dogs the fastest. After it appeared no one would finish the entire tray, a 1:40 p.m. deadline was set.
Brandon Elliott of Port Angeles won first place and $100. Richard Wright of Port Angeles placed second and won $50. KT Nall of Port Angeles finished in third place. Two competitors dropped out.
“You don’t expect to enter a hot dog contest. My best advice is not to eat before it,” Elliott said, adding he had salad and apple pie prior to entering the competition.
After one contestant brought his beverage to the table, organizers said that unless everyone could have water, no one could.
As the contest progressed, cups of water were distributed to all six contestants.
After an audience member yelled, “Let’s make some noise for these people!” phones began clicking away to record the event.
All the competitors slowed down noticeably after a fast start, some more than others.
“We need gobblers!” emcee Chig Martin bellowed periodically during the contest while also announcing how many minutes were left.
As the contest wore on, two competitors dropped out.
After the contest was declared over, Elliott and Wright exchanged congratulatory hugs.
In the apple pie baking contest, Amy Powell of Port Angeles won first place and $250. Xaven and Amaleia McCarty won second place and $150. Victoria Elliott won third place and $100.
Powell said she has been baking since she was a kid and grew up watching a French baking show.
“I’ve never made one that looks like that. I got the recipe off the internet,” she said, adding she never had entered a baking contest before.
“From the first bite, I knew that was it,” said Jeff Tocher, one of six judges who sampled 26 pies. They divided between the judges, who decided upon one finalist each. Then all six judges tasted each of the finalists.
The day also featured a boat parade led by Destiny, flying a Betsy Ross flag. Redline Laser Tag had its competition area set up in the front of the Gateway Transit Center’s pavilion, with a long line snaking to the west.
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Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached by email at brian.gawley@peninsuladailynews.com.
Cory Delikat, left, of Port Angeles samples one of the 26 apple pies along with a panel of six judges. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
