A bit of nostalgia plus current events are pictured in Chinook Pharmacy’s "From Sea To Shining Sea" 4th of July window decoration. The West End Business & Professional Association is holding its annual window decorating contest for downtown merchants, and the window will be among those judged. The Seattle Space Needle is shown, marking the 50th anniversary of the Seattle World’s Fair held in 1962. Organizers of the celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the fair repainted the roof of the space needle in an orange shade to match the way it was painted in 1962. A red, white and blue float in the corner of the window symbolizes the arrival of debris pullen offshore during the Japanese tsunami last year that is beginning to wash up on Olympic Peninsula coastlines.

Forks Old Fashioned Fourth of July Parade Honors 

Pioneer Pearl Lucken – Happy 100th birthday!

Honored Veteran Myron Simmons (World War II Navy Veteran)

Grand Marshal To Be Announced

Tourists of the Day To be named by Forks Chamber of Commerce on July 4.

Following is an updated 4th of July schedule preceded by information on special events scheduled for that day. 

– 4th of July window decorating contest to begin 

West End Business & Professional Association is again sponsoring the 4th of July Window Decorating Contest.  All businesses are encouraged to use their imagination to decorate the town using this year’s theme “From Sea to Shining Sea.”

Windows will be judged on Thursday, June 28, after 4 p.m.  The winners will be posted, as well as all registered participating businesses at the 4th of July information booth. WEB&PA asks all businesses to leave their decorations up through Moonlight Madness which will be Friday, July 6th from 7 to 11 p.m.

To register call JT’s Sweet Stuffs at 374-6111 by June 20. 

– Church to feed hot dogs to parade-goers

Forks First Baptist Church will be giving away grilled hot dogs and water on the morning of the Fourth of July at a stand located in front of the church. The free hot dog feed is scheduled to run from 10:30 a.m. to noon, or as long as the supply of hot dogs lasts.

– 4th of July Art Show entries sought

Entries are being sought for the Fourth of July Art, Photo, and Craft Show.  Entry day is Saturday, June 30 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the DNR conference room at 411 Tillicum Lane, Forks. For more information call Jeanette at 374-5137. 

– Buy lunch for a veteran 

Did you ever wish there was some way you could thank an Armed Forces veteran for their service to our country? Now you can, with the Forks old Fashioned Fourth of July “Buy a Veteran a Lunch” program. 

For every $10 donated a lunch certificate will be presented to a veteran that they can use in Tillicum Park on Wedensday, July 4 for a free lunch at any of the participating vendors. Or tickets can be purchased for $10 apiece and presented to a veteran of your choice. Either way a Veteran will know that their service to our country is appreciated. For more information call Christi at 374-5412 Ext 236 or you can mail a donation to Forks Old Fashioned Fourth of July, POBox 881, Forks, WA 98331.

– 4th of July breakfast

The Fourth of July breakfast being held at the Forks Elks Lodge begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 10 a.m. The public is invited. 

The menu includes ham, sausage, biscuits & gravy, pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, orange juice or coffee.

Kids four and under are free. Kids five to 11 and seniors are $5.00 and, 12 and over are $7.00. 

FORKS OLD FASHIONED FOURTH OF JULY "FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA" CELEBRATION 2012 SCHEDULE

Saturday, June 30 

8 a.m. – Forks 4th of July Fun Run Registration, Run starts @ 9 a.m., Walk or Run 1 mile-5K-10K, 

8:30 a.m. – Horseshoe Tournament Sign-Ups at Tillicum Park, Tournament begins at 9 a.m.

Noon – 4 p.m. – Arts & Crafts Show, DNR Conference Room, sponsored by Far West Art League.

3 p.m. – City Slickers vs. Forks Outfitter’s Tournament Fundraiser to benefit West End Youth League, Tillicum Park Ball Fields, WEYL Concession’s open.

5 p.m. – Frog Jump, Tillicum Park

6 p.m. – Cribbage Tournament, V.F.W. Hall, 110 S. Spartan Ave.

Window Decorations Viewing sponsored by West End Business & Professional Association (runs through July 5).

Sunday, July 1

9 a.m. – Bean Bag Toss, Tillicum Park, $30 Entry Fee (half to charity

Noon – 2 p.m. – Kiddies Play Day at Tillicum Park, Sponsored by the Forks Lions Club. The Forks Elks Lodge will have a food booth and be selling hot dogs, BBQ beef sandwiches, snacks and drinks during Kiddies Play plus from noon until dark on the 4th of July.

Noon – 4 p.m. – Arts & Crafts Show, DNR Conference Room.

Wednesday, July 4 – Independence Day                

8 a.m. – Check-in for Grand Parade, Forks Transit Center Parking Lot

7 – 10 a.m. –Annual Forks 4th of July Elks Breakfast, Forks Elks Lodge, 941 Merchant Road  

10 a.m. – Final Entries, Grand Parade

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Arts & Crafts Show, DNR Conference Room, sponsored by Far West Art League.

10:30 a.m. – Parade Judging, Forks Transit Center Parking Lot

11 a.m. – Check in, Kiddies Parade, Bank of America Parking Lot, sponsored by Forks Emblem Club

11:45 a.m. – Kiddies Parade, Bank of America

Noon – Forks Grand Parade, Forks Transit Center Parking Lot

Noon – 4 p.m. – Arts & Crafts Show, DNR Conference Room, Tillicum Lane.

1 – 4 p.m. –  Salmon Bake, Tillicum Park, sponsored by the Forks Lions Club

3 p.m. – Demolition Derby, Tillicum Park Arena, gates open at 2 p.m. – Tickets $8.

4 p.m. – Quilt Raffle, Forks Visitor’s Information Center, proceeds benefit American Hero Quilt, Tickets $1 available @ Chinook Pharmacy & Forks Visitor’s Center

6:30 p.m. – Dusk – Music in the Park, Tillicum Park

Dusk – Forks Fireworks Display, Tillicum Park

Friday, July 6

7 – 11 p.m. – Moonlight Madness, Downtown Forks, sponsored by West End Business & Professional Association.

Help Support the 4th of July events. Purchase Demolition Derby, Tickets and 4th of July Buttons at Forks Youth League Fire Works Stand and 4th of July Information Booth located downtown Forks at the corner of Main Street andBogachiel Way.  

Contact Information: Mark Soderlind, Forks Old Fashioned 4th of July Committee Chairman (360) 640-4298 or (360) 640-8211 soderlind@centurytel.net or PO Box 881, Forks, WA 98331.