Vietnam veteran Paul Hampton of Forks was chosen as the veteran to ride on the Forks Old Fashioned 4th of July float in Thursday’s parade. His wife, Elsie, accompanied him. (Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News)

Vietnam veteran Paul Hampton of Forks was chosen as the veteran to ride on the Forks Old Fashioned 4th of July float in Thursday’s parade. His wife, Elsie, accompanied him. (Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News)

PHOTO GALLERY: Peninsula towns celebrate our nation’s independence

Port Townsend, Forks, Sequim, Port Angeles get together for food, concerts, fireworks

Residents and visitors alike took part in Independence Day activities in Clallam and Jefferson counties, from Forks to Port Townsend.

Our photographers fanned out to catch the North Olympic Peninsula at play on one of the year’s biggest holidays.

PHOTO GALLERY: Peninsula towns celebrate our nation’s independence
Craig Wilcox of Oak Harbor, right, watches as his son, Cooper Wilcox, 11, places a block in a game of giant Jenga during children’s activities at the pavillion at The Gateway in downtown Port Angeles on Independence Day. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Craig Wilcox of Oak Harbor, right, watches as his son, Cooper Wilcox, 11, places a block in a game of giant Jenga during children’s activities at the pavillion at The Gateway in downtown Port Angeles on Independence Day. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Pie contest volunteer Janet Atkinson adds an apple pie to a table of other pies up for judging during Thursday’s pie contest at Port Angeles City Pier. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Pie contest volunteer Janet Atkinson adds an apple pie to a table of other pies up for judging during Thursday’s pie contest at Port Angeles City Pier. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

A pie awaits judging during Thursday’s pie contest in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

A pie awaits judging during Thursday’s pie contest in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Jay Boggess left, and Nita Davidson, both of Port Angeles, take part in a pickleball tournament at The Landing mall, part of Thursday’s Independence Day celebration in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Jay Boggess left, and Nita Davidson, both of Port Angeles, take part in a pickleball tournament at The Landing mall, part of Thursday’s Independence Day celebration in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Forks Old Fashioned 4th of July parade grand marshals Guy and Betty Decker of Forks are driven in Thursday’s parade by Forks Forum Editor Christi Baron. (Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News)

Forks Old Fashioned 4th of July parade grand marshals Guy and Betty Decker of Forks are driven in Thursday’s parade by Forks Forum Editor Christi Baron. (Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News)

Haven Johnson, 7, of Port Angeles looks up after making a patriotic drawing at the Independence Day children’s activity area in the pavillion at The Gateway in downtown Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Haven Johnson, 7, of Port Angeles looks up after making a patriotic drawing at the Independence Day children’s activity area in the pavillion at The Gateway in downtown Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Shannon Cosgrove of Port Angeles tosses a bean bag during Thursday’s Independence Day cornhole tournament at Pebble Beach Park in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Shannon Cosgrove of Port Angeles tosses a bean bag during Thursday’s Independence Day cornhole tournament at Pebble Beach Park in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Lisa Thomson of Port Angeles putts to win a bottle of wine at a miniature golf hole at Pebble Beach Park to benefit Habitat for Humanity on Thursday in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Lisa Thomson of Port Angeles putts to win a bottle of wine at a miniature golf hole at Pebble Beach Park to benefit Habitat for Humanity on Thursday in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

While her father Tyler Benedict directs the Sequim City Band, 2-year-old Amelia Benedict enjoys the music at the band’s traditional 4th of July Concert on Thursday afternoon. (Mike Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

While her father Tyler Benedict directs the Sequim City Band, 2-year-old Amelia Benedict enjoys the music at the band’s traditional 4th of July Concert on Thursday afternoon. (Mike Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

The Sequim City Band performs its annual “Patriotic 4th” concert Thursday at the James Center for the Performing Arts in Sequim. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

The Sequim City Band performs its annual “Patriotic 4th” concert Thursday at the James Center for the Performing Arts in Sequim. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

The Sequim City Band performs its annual “Patriotic 4th” concert Thursday at the James Center for the Performing Arts in Sequim. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

The Sequim City Band performs its annual “Patriotic 4th” concert Thursday at the James Center for the Performing Arts in Sequim. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Kids took part in an impromptu tug of war during Port Townsend’s 4th annual Old School 4th of July celebration at Fort Worden. (James Cook/for Peninsula Daily News)

Kids took part in an impromptu tug of war during Port Townsend’s 4th annual Old School 4th of July celebration at Fort Worden. (James Cook/for Peninsula Daily News)

Jamestown S’Klallam Singers, from left, Loni Greninger, Julie Prince Powers, Charlene Diick, Ann Tjemsland and Ginnie Kitzmiller open the entertainment at the Old School 4th of July celebration at Fort Worden. (James Cook/for Peninsula Daily News)

Jamestown S’Klallam Singers, from left, Loni Greninger, Julie Prince Powers, Charlene Diick, Ann Tjemsland and Ginnie Kitzmiller open the entertainment at the Old School 4th of July celebration at Fort Worden. (James Cook/for Peninsula Daily News)

Players for the Port Angeles Lefties take their place in the Port Angeles Independence Day parade on Thursday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Players for the Port Angeles Lefties take their place in the Port Angeles Independence Day parade on Thursday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Bursts of fireworks light up the sky over Port Angeles Harbor during Thursday’s annual Independence Day display. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Bursts of fireworks light up the sky over Port Angeles Harbor during Thursday’s annual Independence Day display. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Andrea Donisi, along with her “hot” dog, Myer, marches with the Port Angeles Lefties parade entry on the Fourth of July. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Andrea Donisi, along with her “hot” dog, Myer, marches with the Port Angeles Lefties parade entry on the Fourth of July. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Cast members of the Ghostlight Productions musical “Mamma Mia!” dance for parade-goers on Thursday evening. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Cast members of the Ghostlight Productions musical “Mamma Mia!” dance for parade-goers on Thursday evening. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Ella Garcelon, 11, a member of the Silver Spurs 4-H Club, marches down First Street with her dog, Sherman, on Thursday evening. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Ella Garcelon, 11, a member of the Silver Spurs 4-H Club, marches down First Street with her dog, Sherman, on Thursday evening. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Betsy Schultz of Port Angeles, center, carries a banner with a photo of her fallen son as part of a parade entry honoring Washington military personnel killed in action. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Betsy Schultz of Port Angeles, center, carries a banner with a photo of her fallen son as part of a parade entry honoring Washington military personnel killed in action. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Clallam County Fair royalty, from left, Princess Rebekah Parker, Queen Saydee Peters and Princess Sammi Bates wave to the crowds from their float on Independence Day. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Clallam County Fair royalty, from left, Princess Rebekah Parker, Queen Saydee Peters and Princess Sammi Bates wave to the crowds from their float on Independence Day. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

The Sequim Irrigation Festival float carrying festival royalty, from left, princesses Brianna Cowan and Kjirstin Foresman, Queen Emily Silva and Princess Shelby Wells, visits Port Angeles for the Independence Day parade on Thursday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

The Sequim Irrigation Festival float carrying festival royalty, from left, princesses Brianna Cowan and Kjirstin Foresman, Queen Emily Silva and Princess Shelby Wells, visits Port Angeles for the Independence Day parade on Thursday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Spectators watch from Hollwood Beach as Independence Day fireworks light up Port Angeles Harbor. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Spectators watch from Hollwood Beach as Independence Day fireworks light up Port Angeles Harbor. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Maria White marches with members of the Port Angeles Senior Center on Thursday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Maria White marches with members of the Port Angeles Senior Center on Thursday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Members of Ballet Workshop of Port Angeles dance in the streets during Thursday’s Independence Day parade. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Members of Ballet Workshop of Port Angeles dance in the streets during Thursday’s Independence Day parade. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Parade-goers, from left, Amrti Atkinson, 7, Makaylah Bates, 9, Maddi Atkinson, 5, all of Seabeck, and Alexandriah Bates, 5, of Bremerton wait on the curb with candy collection sacks at the start of Thursday’s Independence Day parade in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Parade-goers, from left, Amrti Atkinson, 7, Makaylah Bates, 9, Maddi Atkinson, 5, all of Seabeck, and Alexandriah Bates, 5, of Bremerton wait on the curb with candy collection sacks at the start of Thursday’s Independence Day parade in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Members of the Port Angeles High School band make their way down First Street in Thursday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Members of the Port Angeles High School band make their way down First Street in Thursday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Kaylie Rinehart, a member of the Port Angeles Lions Club, left, passes out American flags to parade-goers on Thursday evening. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Kaylie Rinehart, a member of the Port Angeles Lions Club, left, passes out American flags to parade-goers on Thursday evening. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Members of the Silverdale-based Navy Band Northwest march down Laurel Street in Port Angeles on the Fourth of July. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Members of the Silverdale-based Navy Band Northwest march down Laurel Street in Port Angeles on the Fourth of July. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Rick Goette, owner of the New Moon Craft Tavern, shows patriotic spirt from from his business’s parade entry. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Rick Goette, owner of the New Moon Craft Tavern, shows patriotic spirt from from his business’s parade entry. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

The Cool Treats car driven by Mitch Peterson didn’t exactly keep its cool as a few flames were evident Thursday afternoon at Tillicum Park in Forks during the annual Fourth of July Demo Derby. (Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News)

The Cool Treats car driven by Mitch Peterson didn’t exactly keep its cool as a few flames were evident Thursday afternoon at Tillicum Park in Forks during the annual Fourth of July Demo Derby. (Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News)

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