Join Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce for a festive Fourth of July celebration

||| FROM CAREY ESKRIDGE for CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |||

What Does the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce Do?
At the heart of the Orcas Island Chamber’s mission is the promotion, support, and development of the island’s business and financial interests. Here on Orcas, our community and commerce are tightly knit. Every shop, restaurant, and service is owned by our neighbors, family, and friends. We don’t have big box stores; instead, we rely on each other to thrive.

Why Support Local?
Did you know that 67 cents of every dollar spent locally stays in the community? Supporting local businesses means supporting jobs, wages, and the vibrancy of our island. It keeps our shops and restaurants open, sustains our farmers, and even helps our schools. This also applies to the artists, solopreneurs, and the trades and craftspeople who make Orcas unique. Without your support, these treasures may not survive.

Why Host a Fourth of July Picnic and Market?
A vital part of our mission includes fostering the welfare of the island—sometimes, that means having fun together! This year, we’re inviting everyone to join us for our “All Together Now” theme, celebrating with food, music, and community spirit.

How Can You Join the Fun?
Head to Eastsound on the Fourth of July! Enjoy a day filled with local vendors, delicious food, and entertainment. Participate in our chili cook-off, pie-baking contest, or the Firecracker 5K Fun Run. Check out the auction of fantastic experiences and items from local businesses or support our community events fund with a donation:
oicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1061

Weekend Highlights:
Thursday, July 4:

• 9 a.m.- Firecracker 5K Fun Run
• Noon – 7 p.m. – Community Picnic and Market on the Village Green. Enjoy food
  vendors, a cakewalk, kids’; activities, beer and wine, and more.

Live Music:

• Baker & West at 3 p.m.
• The Studz at 5 p.m.
• Cosmic Charlie from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Fireworks:

• Fireworks in Eastsound over Fishing Bay at Dusk (10:00 p.m.)

Saturday, July 6:

• 7 – 11 a.m. – Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Pancake Breakfast
• 11 a.m. – Community Band performance at A Street and North Beach Rd
• Noon: – Annual Community Parade with Grand Marshal Hilary Canty and the Pea

Patch Partners

• 1:30 p.m. – Children’s House Mayoral election results announced on the Village
  Green
• 4 – 7 p.m. – Lions Club Salmon BBQ
• Evening: Children’s House Mayoral election results

Sunday, July 7

• 4 p.m. – American Legion Annual Pig Roast
• 5 p.m. – Orcas Center Summer Concert Series featuring Jens Lindemann Live on the Village Green

Get Involved!
Visit our event website orcascometogether.my.canva.site/2024-fourth-of-july-website for more details and registration for the Firecracker 5K, chili cook-off, pie-baking contest, and parade. Registration deadlines are:

• • Parade: Closes Wednesday, July 3 at 5 p.m.
  • Chili Cook-Off & Pie Baking: Closes Tuesday, July 2 at 5 p.m.
  • 5K Fun Run: Closes Wednesday, July 3 at midnight.

Join us for a memorable weekend of celebration and community spirit. We can’t wait to see you there!