— by Margie Doyle —

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Out in the wild wet West, we celebrated Summer Solstice two days early, and were treated to a day of showers, wind and cold temperatures, although the skies did clear for the inimitable Solstice Parade at noon.

There, Mayoral Candidates, mostly representing the Canine Party, although the Independent Newt’n did send a proxy, mingled with the hooded and booted outdoors on the Village Green, where a Marimba band enraptured the free dancers who crowded the lawn before the stage.

Farmers Market Manager Jennifer Pietsch and her sons roused and encouraged the market vendors, some of whom slipped away to be the new crew for the Parade Sun, who was sheltered this year by a small orange umbrella.

The cloudy weather only seemed to bring out the high spirits of those in attendance, and downtown Eastsound saw more visitors than ever this year. Mark Padbury concluded the day’s ceremonies with a salute to the sun, wherever it was.