Thurs., June 29
Dana Lyons
Dana Lyons of “Cows with Guns” fame will perform at Doe Bay, 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $10 at danalyonsatdoebay.bpt.me.
June 30, July 1 & 2
Magic Now
Sixteen-year-old magician Matthew Laslo will debut an all-new show during “Magic Now” at the Sea View Theatre on June 30, July 1 and July 2 at 7:30 p.m. There will be a pre-show barbecue (a fundraiser for the theatre’s building improvement) with burgers, hot dogs and specialty items starting at 5:30 p.m. Advance tickets are recommended as the shows usually sell out. Tickets are $10 at Darvill’s Bookstore and www.matthewlaslo.com.
Dead Man’s Cell Phone
“Dead Man’s Cell Phone” will be presented in Orcas Center’s Black Box on June 30 and July 1 at 7:30 p.m. and July 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $17 for adults, $13 for students and $2 off for Orcas Center members at www.orcascenter.org. Subsidized tickets are available at the box office for $5.
Saturday, July 1
Community parade in Eastsound
“A Celebration of Island Creatures” is the theme for the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Community Parade, scheduled for Saturday, July 1 in Eastsound.
“The Chamber Board wanted to have a little fun with this year’s theme and we hope islanders will celebrate with us and our ‘Island Creatures,’” said Susan Gudgell, Chamber Board President.
The Odd Fellows of Orcas Island – all 48 of them – will serve as Grand Marshals of the Community Parade. John Clancy, the current Noble Grand of the organization, explained a bit about the Odd Fellows:
“The current focus of the Orcas Island Odd Fellows is to deepen our connection with ourselves, each other, our community and the world. We do this by listening deeply to each other, drumming, singing, providing services within the community such as helping clean up after major storms, donating firewood, helping make house alterations such as building wheelchair ramps and safety hand rails, helping with moving and storage for families in need, providing scholarships and maintaining the lodge building to provide extremely reasonable rental rates to various island activities and small music/craft/art/body movement businesses… And then there are the parades.”
Visitors and residents alike are invited to enjoy the parade on North Beach Road and Main Street in Eastsound starting at noon on Saturday, July 1.
The familiar fireworks donation containers are located at Island Market, and spare change (or more) is appreciated to help pay for the fireworks. Tax-deductible contributions to the fireworks show can be made through the Orcas Island Community Foundation. Visit www.OICF.us or call 376-6423.
Pancake breakfast
Enjoy the Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Pancake Breakfast at the Eastsound from 7 to 11 a.m. Adults $8, $5 for children, 5 years and younger free. All proceeds support firefighters and EMTs.
Orcas Museums celebration
The Independence Day Celebration will be on the Village Green presented by Orcas Island Historical Museums. This is the 66th year that the Orcas Island Historical Museums has sponsored this summer celebration of the island’s history.
The day’s festivities will kick off at 10 a.m. with the pie booth. Volunteers will be serving slices of home-baked fruit pies. Pie a la mode is available as an option thanks to the contribution of Island Market. The booth closes when the pies run out. OIHM will also have a beer garden next to the museum, with beer supplied by Island Hoppin’ brewery. There will also be a hot dog stand.
The beer garden and hot dog stand are set up with equipment supplied by the Orcas Island Kiwanis Club and the Orcas Island Lions Club and will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. At 1 p.m. At 1:30 p.m. the Harvey Family will open up their logging show, demonstrating the skills used to fell and dress timber on the islands. The logging show will run until 3:30 p.m.
Lions Salmon BBQ
The Lions Club 42nd Annual Salmon BBQ is from 1 to 7 p.m., at the Eastsound Fire Station. The meal includes a baked potato, cole slaw, roll and beverage. Cost is $18 for adults tickets or $20 at the door. Children up to 12 years old are $12. Dessert is available for $5. Tickets can be purchased at Kay’s and Cherie Lindholm Real Estate or during the parade from the Lions Float.
Mayor campaign gets wild
Mayoral candidate Skye, a Sheltie Pomeranian, was assaulted June 16 in an attack requiring emergency care for both him and his campaign manager. Local authorities have opened an investigation and aren’t ruling out that Russian Wolfhounds may be trying to influence the Honorary Mayor of Eastsound election.
At Island Hoppin’ Brewery the same evening, a patron reported being scratched following a brief encounter with the feline candidate Dr. Spyder, who disputed the allegation and called the report “fake news.”
Meanwhile, photos have surfaced showing Hudson’s use of child labor in campaign work. Hudson says he’s merely “encouraging youth involvement in politics” and has decried the leaker. Toby, a Bernese Mountain Dog who is being backed by big banks, spoke recently at a Washington Federal branch. People familiar with the engagement demand he disclose his speaking fees. Elsewhere, opponents are now calling into question Tyrone’s underlying health. The golden retriever – ironically campaigning as “Fit to Govern” – has developed “hot spots,” prompting medical attention investigative reporters have learned.
The Honorary Mayor of Eastsound race, which features local pets, wraps up July 1. The annual fundraiser benefits Children’s House.
Sunday, July 2
Songs to Save the Salish Sea
Sharon Abreu and Michael Hurwicz of Irthlingz Arts-Based Environmental Education (Irthlingz) will present a musical evening celebrating the release of their CD, “Songs to Save the Salish Sea.” The concert, from 7-9 p.m. on Sunday, July 2, at the Odd Fellows Hall in Eastsound, will benefit Irthlingz, based on Orcas, and the Kids and Canoes project which will bring together kids from Orcas Island and the Lummi Nation to row together in a canoe built by Dean Washington of the Lummi Nation. Admission: $10-$15 suggested donation. There are no advance ticket sales. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Pig Roast at American Legion
The American Legion Post 93 is hosting the second annual pig roast. This year they are roasting two pigs. The cost is $20 or $10 for children 10 years and under. Dinner is served from 5 to 8 p.m. and includes pork, applesauce, French bread, baked beans, potato salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw and a cold soda pop or ice tea. There will also be a dessert table with a wide variety of treats like cake, pie, cobbler, brownies and cupcakes.
Everyone is welcome at this event as it is a membership drive. Voyle B. Martin American Legion Post #93 is a nonprofit organization that supports America’s veterans and also contributes to the local community. They are considered a private club by the Washington State Liquor Control Board so are only allowed two days per year to conduct a membership drive. There are three local units: the post (veterans that have served during a war or military conflict), the auxiliary (mothers, grandmothers, wives, sisters, and daughters of veterans), and the SAL (Sons of American Legion-sons, grandsons, great-grandsons of veterans). They welcome new members.
“We would like to encourage all of our Orcas residents to visit the post on Sunday, July 2, and join in the effort to take care of our veterans and our local community,” say organizers.
For more information, call 376-4987.
Monday, July 3
Salsa dance
On July 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Odd Fellows Hall, local dance instructors will be having a salsa class with guest instructors Anthony and Friends. You will learn the basics of Salsa with a few extra moves that will delight you and improve your dancing techniques. The class is free and no partner is needed. If you ever wanted to learn Salsa, this is your chance. For those who want to attend the Deer Harbor Fireworks, they will finish in time for you to go.
Fireworks at Deer Harbor Marina
Live music will start around 7 p.m. and the fireworks show begins at dusk (10 p.m.)
Tuesday, July 4
Funhouse 5k
The sixth annual Funhouse Commons 5K fun run will be on Tuesday, July 4. The route will be the same as last year: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/181399.
They will start promptly at 9 a.m. at the Eastsound Village Green. The run will include the Crescent Beach Trail and will finish back at the Green. Zany patriotic wear is encouraged, and all are welcome to run or walk the route at their own pace.
Registration is open at funhousecommons.org/5k or by calling the Funhouse at 376-7177. The fee is $35 and includes a stainless steel water bottle while supplies last. Late registration on race day will be available for an additional $5. At 10 a.m. kids can run a 1K race for a $10 entry fee.
Eagle Forum
Begin your 4th of July celebration by joining the Eagle Forum of San Juan County at 11 a.m. on the Village Green to sing patriotic songs, peruse the Constitution with its amendments, and hear the scholarship-winning essay answering the question “What is Your Favorite Amendment to the Constitution and Why?” This is the fourth year that Eagle Forum has sponsored a scholarship to Orcas High School Seniors and it is our privilege to hear this year’s winner at the celebration.
The celebration will continue after Eagle Forum’s program with a dancing exhibition including dances performed by Tiffany Loney and Katie Zwilling and other local student dancers, led by Stephanie Moss. They have performed at several venues this year and are a joy to watch.
Fireworks in Eastsound
The annual chamber-sponsored July 4th fireworks show will begin at dusk (10 p.m.) over Fishing Bay. Enjoy music by the community band starting at 9 p.m. in Waterfront Park. Fireworks donation containers are located at Island Market, and spare change (or more) is appreciated to help pay for the fireworks. Tax-deductible contributions can be made at www.OICF.us or call 376-6423.
Thurs., July 6
133D Army Band
The 133D Army Band will perform at 12:30 p.m. on the Village Green. Organized by Orcas Island Historical Museums this event is free to the public.
The 16-member ensemble performs formal and ceremonial music as well as entertaining and energetic street brass band style music. They have performed throughout the Great State of Washington for civic events, public schools, universities and military functions. You will hear Olympic fanfares, heroic works, hymns, groove music and instrumental arrangements of popular music from this outstanding ensemble.
