Kids carry the weight of the world at the 2009 Solstice Parade
By Laura Gibbons
The 13th Annual Summer Solstice parade and celebration returns to Eastsound this Saturday, June 18th, at noon. The whimsical and always colorful foot parade will wind its way up North Beach Road ending at the Stage on the Green for free, fun local entertainment.
Kicking off the summer celebration with blazing retro surf tunes are The Sandfleas, Kevin Dickey (bass), Al Bentley (sax), Andrew Moore (drums) and Bruce Harvie (guitar). Next on stage, the Turtleback Ceili Ensemble, an elastic group of musicians connected by a love of Irish traditional music with Lesley Liddle (concertina), Rachel Bishop (fiddle), Ethna Flanagan (bodhran), Dave Zoeller (guitar and concertina), Ben Sheppard (bouzouki) and Mark Morris (fiddle, octave mandolin and pennywhistle).
The Dustbunnies keep the dance party going with great world music funk and flair, Al Bentley (sax), Matthew Wallrath (tuba), Randy Jerzierski (drums), Randy Smith (guitar), and Ben Sheppard (bass). Reggae and ska music wrap up the summer celebration with Fabrice Vanputten (rhythm guitar), Ben Sheppard (bass) and Andrew Moore (drums). The music performances are scheduled from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
This event is a celebration of creativity, community and summer co-sponsored by the San Juan County Parks and community volunteers. Parade participants are asked to gather on Haven Road near the Oddfellows Hall by 11:00 a.m. Simple rules, please no motorized vehicles, no written words, no livestock in the parade. A fun, family friendly event to kick off summer, Orcas style.
For more information please call 376-5458 or visit our website
www.orcasislandsolsticeparade.com
