Large crowds gathered in downtown Bayfield last Friday for Independence Day festivities.
Many started the day off at the Lions Club annual pancake breakfast, enough that the Lions ran out of food before their 10 a.m. closing. Breakfasts were reinforced with goodies from the Calvary Presbyterian bake sale. Most folks then staked out their parade viewing spot on Mill Street.
Jordyn Lott, daughter of Peter Lott and Amy Wood, was among those lined up for the kids' pet parade with her pony Chiefy. Dad said they bought Chiefy so Jordyn could learn to rodeo. She has a big horse now, so Chiefy is retired.
Pet parade winners were Newfoundlands Joy and Gretta and their persons, Keith and Debbie; second place Chris O'Shea-Heydinger with yellow labs Riley and Oso, listed respectively as Liberty and Justice for the parade; third place to Guinea pigs Christmas and Precious and their people, Valerie and Kaylea.
The late Marvin Conrad was honored as Grand Marshal of the big parade. He was active for many years in community affairs and as parade announcer.
New in the parade this year were Galactic Empire Storm Troopers, along with the more traditional horses and riders, classic cars, Shriners' Tin Lizzies, and floats sporting lots of red, white, and blue.
Winning entries were: first place the always-elaborate Evers family float; second place the big Pine River Shares sun/ moon face; in third place Bayfield Physical Therapy, which featured Bayfield trivia and a serenade of the parade judges
In Joe Stephenson Park after the parade, food vendors did a booming business, some of them selling out of product. The Pine River Centennial Rotary Club's beer garden also saw lots of activity. Local band Wild Country entertained on stage.
Winners of the Chamber of Commerce Duck Race were Brenda Yarina, Jim Adams of Castle Rock, and Luke Schweckle. Duck race proceeds will be used for the chamber scholarship for BHS students.
Another local band, Carbon Red, entertained in the evening as folks returned to the park for fireworks. Mack Coker and his volunteer helpers shot off spectacular displays in Bayfield and the next night over the water at Vallecito, with those sponsored by the Vallecito Fireworks Coalition. Coker is looking for sponsors to help pay for more fireworks on Bayfield Heritage Day, Sept. 27 this year.
The Vallecito Service League's annual arts and crafts fair was Saturday and Sunday in the meadow below the dam. On Saturday night, lots of day visitors joined folks in the full campgrounds and lodges in Vallecito for another sparkling display of lights and rockets.
