Happy Fourth of July!
The North Olympic Peninsula joins the rest of the nation in celebrating Independence Day on Sunday.
And there’s plenty of red, white and blue activities across the Peninsula.
Here’s a sample of events presented this weekend.
Military band concerts
The 133rd Army Band of the Washington Army National Guard will perform an outdoor community concert in Sequim in the band shell at the James Center for the Performing Arts next to Carrie Blake Park, 202 N. Blake Ave., at 6 p.m. today.
The band will play Americana, patriotic favorites, current movie themes and a classic Sousa march or two.
People should bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on; seating is not provided.
The band will play in Port Townsend at Fort Worden State Park’s McCurdy Pavilion at 7 p.m. Saturday.
The Port Townsend concert is co-sponsored by the Coast Artillery Museum and the Commanding Officer’s Quarters museum, with assistance from Centrum and Fort Worden State Park.
Both concerts are free.
Patriotic concert
SEQUIM — The Sequim City Band and the Peninsula Men’s Chorus will celebrate Independence Day with a free performance at the James Center for the Performing Arts band shell next to Carrie Blake Park at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Under the direction of Sanford Feibus, the 60-member community concert band will play patriotic music intended “to keep your toes tapping, your heart thumping and make you proud to be called an American.”
Attendees should bring chairs or blankets for the performance.
Raptor center visit
GARDINER — Northwest Raptor Center representatives will be at Wild Birds Unlimited, 275953 U.S. Highway 101, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
The public can view the center’s birds of prey, take photos, ask questions and find out about the center’s activities.
Visitors also can make donations to the nonprofit center, which specializes in the rehabilitation and release of raptors but does not turn away wildlife in need.
Donations of items such as towels, sheets, blankets, aquariums in good condition, dog food, small-animal water bottles, baby bottles, straw, alfalfa, bird seed, powdered goat’s milk, KMR milk replacer will be accepted at the store.
Center owner Jaye Moore also is seeking donations of chain-link fencing, lumber and an enclosed trailer.
For more information, visit www.nwraptorcenter.com.
Nature walk set
PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson Land Trust docents will lead a nature walk in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
Participants will meet at the end of Willamette Street off Cook Avenue.
Jefferson Land Trust describes the walk as an “easy walk on uneven terrain.”
Walkers should wear weather-appropriate footwear and clothing.
The walk is free and open to the public.
The Quimper Wildlife Corridor is a ribbon of public and private land across the north Quimper Peninsula that provides safe passage for native wildlife, maintains a natural flood water control system, protects existing habitat and water quality, and provides open space and recreation opportunities.
Jefferson Land Trust and its partners have been working for the permanent conservation of the Quimper Wildlife Corridor since 1996.
For more information, phone 360-379-9501, ext. 103, or e-mail jlt@saveland.org.
Council at market
PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles Mayor Dan Di Guilio and Councilman Max Mania will meet the public at the Port Angeles Farmers Market at The Gateway, Front and Lincoln streets, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.
Council members Brooke Nelson and Cherie Kidd will appear Saturday, Aug. 7, and Mania, Kidd and Nelson will be at the market Saturday, Sept. 4.
Royalty fundraiser
PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Fair Royalty will hold a fundraiser and public outreach event at Swain’s General Store, 602 E. First St., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Princesses Stephanie Lindquist and Marissa Wilson will be on hand to meet the public and promote the fair.
The princesses will be selling baked goods and raffle tickets for a chance to win themed baskets.
The drawing for the baskets will be held during the Clallam County Fair Royalty Coronation Ceremony at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19.
Proceeds will support the royalty program and scholarship fund.
For more information, phone Christine Paulsen at 360-461-1866.
Farewell ‘Bob-R-Q’
SEQUIM — A “Hail to the Chief” Independence Day “Bob-R-Q” will be held in the KSQM parking lot, 577 W. Washington St., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. today.
The event is a farewell party to departing Sequim Police Chief Bob Spinks, who also volunteers as host of “The Five-O Show” on KSQM 91.5 FM.
KSQM volunteers will serve hot dogs, baked beans, chips and beverages, all for donations to the nonprofit radio station.
For more information, phone 360-681-0000.
Early celebration
SEQUIM — The Sequim Senior Center, 921 E. Hammond St., will celebrate Independence Day today with a barbecue, pie raffle and old-time fiddlers performance at 5 p.m.
The event costs $8.
For more information, phone 360-683-6806.
Storynight slated
PORT TOWNSEND — Storytellers Deidre Woods and Robert Komishane will speak at First Friday Storynight at Better Living Through Coffee, 100 Tyler St. from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today.
The event is presented by the Mythsinger Foundation and will be hosted by Brian Rohr.
Wood’s will share “whimsical stories that tell the tales of human beings entertaining the musings of the spirit being housed inside them.”
Komishane 64, will perform two raps that deal with key aspects of his life story.
There will also be an open mic session but stories must be told, not read.
Suggested donation for the event is $5 to $10.
For more information, e-mail Rohr at brohrpr@gmail.com.
