PORT TOWNSEND — Fred Johnson loves five things in the world: his wife, family, country, flag and God.
Looking sharp and handsome in his blue-and-white “Hero of 1776” suit, Johnson, 74, addressed a crowd of spectators who traveled to Fort Worden State Park to celebrate Independence Day on Monday.
“Patriotism is love of country, flag and family,” said Johnson, a member of the Port Townsend Masonic Hall that annually provides a speaker to salute the flag on the Fourth of July.
While Johnson spoke Monday evening, hundreds of residents began to set up blankets and tarps to sit on for the fireworks show at the park at dusk — and thousands more arrived later.
Members of the Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary Club loaded a barge with 700 shells and finished their last minute preparations for the 10 p.m. show.
The Port Townsend Summer Band officially set off the celebration at 7 p.m. with a big band version of the national anthem, followed by dozen of American tunes.
Music in the afternoon
Fiddlers and bluegrass players, many of them connected with Centrum’s Fiddle Tunes festival, had already established the American mood in the early afternoon by gathering in small random groups around the park and entertaining visitors.
Port Townsend police and park administration reported no major incidents Monday, and prepared to enjoy the fireworks with the crowd.
“I have the best seat,” said Port Townsend Police Chief Conner Daily, smiling from his patrol car, parked overlooking the water where fireworks would explode an hour later.
