This is a Fourth of July parade in Oak Harbor: two EA-18G Growlers buzzing downtown, wings tipped in salute; lawn chairs and blankets lining waterfront streets; thousands of flags flapping in clutched hands; young couples strolling, hands squeezed together; little girls in bright sundresses; children scrambling for wrapped sweets; babies in arms, babies in strollers, babies everywhere; dogs in bandanas, tongues lolling; spit-shined rescue trucks and farm tractors chugging; politicians in classic rides offering a wave and a smile; an honor guard strutting, flags lofted high; a tractor hauling a life-sized portrait of Jesus; leather-clad bikers on rumbling hogs; a marching band, a mariachi band, bagpipers in kilts; and pageant princesses in gowns sitting tall in a convertible.

Saturday morning nearly 4,000 people attended the parade, a decades-long tradition.

Oak Harbor Noon Rotary Club and the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event.