Who needs fireworks? We have a parade!

Niko, left, looks flabbergasted that there will be no “official” 4th of July fireworks in La Conner this year. The Chamber of Commerce used to collect donations from local merchants to pay for the display, but the effort was cancelled this year, after several yearly disappointments from the contractors.

Maya, center, plans to catch up on her beauty sleep to look gorgeous for the 4th of July Parade, which steps off at 11:30 a.m. Friday from State Street and travels south on First Street. Dogs, kids and everyone in town can be in the parade.

And Brody, right, is not about to miss Friday’s 12:30 p.m. picnic in Pioneer Park, which will include music, games like the famous watermelon eating contest, and the newshound’s favorite Kiwanis hot dogs. – Interviews and photos by Don Coyote