Aberdeen Founders Day wasn’t just a day for Aberdonians, or Harborites, to celebrate.

Karen Kidney, of Longview, was selling her little NFL- and MLB-dressed gnomes through her business Found Treasures under the blistering sun on Saturday.

“I’ve been coming here for probably 10 years,” Kidney said. “I love coming up here. The people are really nice and it’s a small community.”

The weather was a “hot” topic on Saturday.

“It’s the warmest day we’ve had here in a while,” Kidney said. “But I brought my fan with me. I knew it was gonna be hot.”

Kidney wasn’t the only one who mentioned the weather.

Larry Cowles, who was preparing to play drums for Black Shepherd, mentioned how hot it was.

“You can’t ask for better weather,” Cowles said. “How many times in Aberdeen do you need an electric fan for outside? You don’t need an electric fan outside in Aberdeen in the shade very often.”

Cowles also shared a few of his thoughts on Aberdeen Founders Day.

“I think it’s awesome that we’re having a parade for our founders because they were super-smart, brilliant people,” Cowles said. “I think we should get back to a little more of what they had going on. And it’s a good thing for Aberdeen. It kind of gives me a chance to play music in the middle of the street and the cops aren’t even busting me.”

Gwyn Tarrence, the county’s veteran relief fund ombudsman, spoke about how the celebration gets so many people together. There weren’t many bare spots on the sidewalks up and down Market Street.

“I liked seeing all the different generations together,” Tarrence said. “I think that’s what’s important for the community. We need more community events where different generations are interacting with each other. That was my favorite part.”

Tarrence loved the Jeeps.

“I gotta say, I like the Jeeps. The think the Jeeps were the best. I like how they race them around and all that.”

Tarrence said she thinks Aberdeen Founders Day has improved every year.

“I think they’re doing a good job,” Tarrence said. “We walked through the vendors. They’ve got quite a few vendors out there. I think it’s good. And the street taco guy? He’s the best.”

Aberdeen Police Chief Dale Green was walking the Aberdeen Founders Day beat and seemed to enjoy himself.

“I think it really helped. We had some great weather so that brings more people out, I think,” Green said. “It was nice to have it on the same week as the Fourth of July. I think that also keeps people in the celebratory spirit. I really feel like there were a lot of people out here who were spending time downtown, which is always a good thing.”

Green’s favorite float was Sen. Jeff Wilson driving a “little tank thing.”

“I don’t know what that was, that was kind of cool,” Green said.

He also liked the schools’ pageantry.

“I think it’s always cool to see all the cheerleaders out here working their routines and stuff like that,” Green said.

Elma Youth Cheer won People’s Choice Aberdeen Founders Day Parade Best Float. So, evidently everyone else loved the pageantry, too.

Johnny Manson, who emceed the event, has done the same job for other local events, but to do this one was “cool,” because now he’s done them all.

“That’s a tough one,” Manson said in reference to his favorite float. “Let me get back to you on that one.”

Manson said the attendees were all having fun.

“It didn’t seem like there were many floats, I mean 30-something, that’s OK, but it’s summer. Who wants to be in a parade when you can go to the beach?” Manson asked. “But everybody (here) is having fun and happy. That’s always nice when they’re happy.”

Matthew N. Wells / The Daily World Aberdeen cheerleaders of different ages bring their pep and spirit to Market Street, where floats received applause and more adoration from the onlookers.

Matthew N. Wells / The Daily World Karen Kidney, of Longview, owns Found Treasures. She was selling gnomes with NFL and MLB material. Kidney could be heard telling a customer who was perusing her merchandise, “I try to make everybody happy, that’s what I do.”