FORKS — The Forks Old-Fashioned Fourth of July will be a celebration of traditions — both American traditions and Forks traditions.
Symbolizing the long-standing Forks traditions will be this year’s grand marshals of the annual parade — Lorraine and Matt Sullivan.
The couple 51 years ago opened Sully’s Quick Stop, which became what is now Sully’s Drive-In.
“This restaurant has this huge, long, family history here in Forks,” said Pat Soderlind, city events coordinator.
“Everyone has worked at the restaurant, from the grandparents to the great-grandchildren.”
The burger joint — named for Matt’s nickname, “Sully” — has been a staple of Forks since it opened more than a half-century ago.
It is now run by Bruce and Trish Guckenberg, the Sullivans’ daughter and son-in-law.
Matt Sullivan also served as town marshal and worked at the State Patrol weigh station near Forks.
“There’s story after story from everyone in town about going to Sully’s,” Soderlind said.
“All their kids grew up helping at the store.
“Their youngest, Roberta — who they call Shug — remembers growing up there but said at the very beginning she was the one in the play pen while Mom was making burgers on the grill.
“It is such a family affair.”
The Sullivans will preside over the parade when it begins at about noon, after the Kiddies’ Parade at 11:45 a.m.
Three days of celebration
But the Forks Old-Fashioned Fourth of July celebration will actually begin at 8 a.m. today, with the Surfing and Traditions youth surfing and kayaking camp at First Beach in LaPush.
“Our celebration is the longest continuous running Fourth of July celebration west of the Mississippi,” Soderlind said.
Also today at 10 a.m. — with registration beginning at 9 a.m. — the town will have an Old-Fashioned Bean Bag Toss at Tillicum Park.
At 6 p.m., the annual cribbage tournament will start at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, 110 S. Spartan Ave., followed by Moonlight Madness, sponsored by the West End Business and Professional Association, with downtown businesses open for shopping from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
On Saturday, the Elks Breakfast will be served at 7 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, 941 Merchant Road.
Open registration for the Fourth of July Fun Run also will start at 7 a.m., as will the check-in for the Grand Parade at the Forks Outfitters Parking Lot.
At 8 a.m., the 5K and 10K family run/walk will begin at U.S. Highway 101 and Bogachiel Way. Entry fee for the run/walk, which benefits the Wounded Warrior Project, is $15 per person or $20 per family.
From noon to 4 p.m., there will be an art show at the state Department of Natural Resource Conference Center, adjacent to Tillicum Park.
From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Lions Club will hold its annual salmon bake at Tillicum Park.
The Demolition Derby begins at 3 p.m.
Music in the park will run from 6:30 p.m. until the fireworks begin at dusk.
Sunday’s events will start at 8:30 a.m. with signups for the 9 a.m. horseshoe tournament at Tillicum Park.
The Lions Club Kiddies Play Day at the Tillicum Park will start at noon and run to 2 p.m.
The art show at the DNR center will be open from noon to 4 p.m.
At 4 p.m,. the annual Frog Jump will hop off at Tillicum Park.
At the Frog Jump, people will bring frogs to have a leaping good time, Soderlind said.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
