PORT TOWNSEND — Community members rallied around this year’s Port Townsend Rhododendron Festival, which features all of the traditional favorite events including bed races, hair competition and the grand parade.

“It’s changed a lot since 1958, but what hasn’t changed is the response of the townspeople who come out here,” said Geri Robinson, who has attended every Rhody Parade since she moved to Port Townsend in 1958.

“Rhody has always been important to us and something we look forward to every year.”

Robinson attended this year with her granddaughter, Diana Bond. The two were sitting along Lawrence Street in a spot they had staked out Tuesday in preparation.

Marcia Lewis of Sequim, who attended her first Rhody Fest this year, was shocked by the number of people who saved their spots along the parade route early.

“We’re glad we showed up at 11,” Lewis said. “We had no idea people got here so early.”

The parade route was lined with people Saturday afternoon for the parade, which kicked off almost exactly at 1 p.m.

“It seems just as wonderful as all the rest of the years,” said Melinie Perry, who was attending the parade with her granddaughters, Rose and Lilly Eisenman.

“Yeah,” added Rose Eisenman, “and it has princesses, which I really like.”

The parade kicked off with a firetruck and an appearance from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, followed by the Rhody royal court — Princesses Sarah Smith and Taylor Tracer and Queen Lauren Montgomery — performing a choreographed dance on its float, which featured a horse-drawn carriage.

Streets were packed with onlookers through uptown and downtown Port Townsend.

“Part of it is the weather,” Perry said. “It’s so nice that it is this sunny.”

While the grand parade was the main event this weekend, community members also came out Friday night after the Kiddies Parade — and perhaps a stop at the Port Townsend Kiwanis Club’s Brats &Brews — for a few competitions on Water Street.

Women of all ages competed for coolest braids, which went to 14-year-old Hannah Lewis; longest hair, which went to Gayle Moore; and Rhody Spirit, which went to Shannon Bishop of Chimacum, with an honorable mention for Juanita Maples of Port Hadlock.

Not to be outdone, the men competed for most unique hair, which went to Robert Hammett of Port Townsend; best use of hair, which was Randy Rusens of Port Townsend; and longest beard, which for the third year in a row went to Thomas Thompson.

Members of East Jefferson Fire-Rescue and a team of boys from Don’s Pharmacy were among those who competed in the annual bed race, which included a special mid-race fire drill in which competitors had to run a full circle around their bed before continuing with the race.

The team from Don’s Pharmacy — Jack Pickard, Austin Khile, Keegan Khile, Koby Weidner and David Hoglund — swept all three races.

The Rhody Festival concludes today with the 12K and 6K Rhody Run sponsored by Jefferson Healthcare hospital.

Race packets can be picked up starting at 8:45 a.m. at Fort Worden Commons, 200 Battery Way. The kids’ sprint race will start at 9:30 a.m., the 12K runners will head out at 11 a.m. and the 6K runners will be right behind them, heading out at 11:15 a.m.

Awards will be handed out after the race at 1 p.m.

________

Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@ peninsuladailynews.com.

Students from the Port Townsend High School marching band kick off the Rhody Grand Parade with some music Saturday. (Cydney McFarland/Peninsula Daily News)

Rhody Queen Lauren Montgomery waves from a float in the Rhody Grand Parade in Port Townsend on Saturday. (Cydney McFarland/Peninsula Daily News)