NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, April 22.
BRINNON — Today’s 29th Brinnon Loyalty Parade will be a small, short event.
Nevertheless, it has a lasting impact throughout the year.
“This parade is an example of small-town America honoring its veterans and showing patriotism,” said Kathleen Kler, chair of the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners.
“It gives us an opportunity to walk the street along with schoolchildren and veterans, and is a highlight for people who live in south county.”
About 100 people usually attend the event in Brinnon, a town of about 800 people located on U.S. Highway 101 about 12 miles south of Quilcene on the Hood Canal.
Parade participants, usually half of the attendees, will assemble at the corner of Schoolhouse Road and Corey Street no later than 12:30 p.m. before proceeding to the viewing area.
The parade will begin at 1 p.m. with a 1,000-foot stretch of Brinnon Lane as the main viewing area.
It usually ends no later than 1:10 p.m.
About 25 floats are scheduled to participate in today’s parade, according to organizer Doris Muir.
The floats are from schools, civic groups, Rhododendron Festival royalty and the sheriff’s and fire departments.
The event is a “can’t miss” event for county government officials. All three commissioners and a full contingent of elected officials often march in the parade.
Cake, ice cream
After the parade, children will be offered cake and ice cream, and awards will be given for citizen of the year, firefighter of the year, emergency medical technician of the year and law enforcement official of the year.
Kendra and James will provide the musical entertainment.
Loyalty Day was first observed nationally in 1921 as Americanization Day.
It was designated as an official holiday by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958 for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom.
The official designation is May 1, but the Brinnon celebration is celebrated on the last Friday in April.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
