Hana Lichty and her 14-month-old daughter Hazel had never experienced the Aberdeen Founder’s Day Parade until Saturday, July 2, when they witnessed the 2022 iteration.

They sounded happy and excited about the possibilities that lie ahead of them as they waited patiently on the curb near the intersection of East Market Street and South Broadway Street. Not far from them sat the pickup truck that hosted the event’s emcee for the parade, Phil Luceman.

Hazel, with her pink, stuffed piglet named “Sweet Pea” by her side, was ready for the parade as her mother kept the infant entertained.

“I’ve never been to one of these parades before, so this is a first,” Hana said. “I don’t think my daughter has ever seen a parade.”

Hana sounded eager to try an elephant ear from a tent not far from where she was sitting.

“I always love a good elephant ear,” Hana said.

The Lichty family was just one of many families who were excited for the parade, which celebrated its 10th year on Saturday. The parade celebrates the good in Aberdeen, according to Karen Rowe, who owns GH Wine Sellars with her husband, Ryan Rowe. The two take point every year in organizing the event, which brings Grays Harbor County residents together to celebrate the city’s founder, Sam Benn.

Under the gray clouds that were broken up by slivers of blue sky, Rowe, and her team of volunteers, passed out programs with the day’s schedule. They also distributed ballots to their parade guests so people could vote for their favorite routines.

“It’s a beautiful day today,” Rowe said with an ear-to-ear smile on the approximately 70-degree day. “I’ll take it. This is perfect.”

While most people were relaxing ahead of the parade, Tiffany Maki, who was on deck to sing the national anthem, was not. But, she did have a smile on her face. Her best friend, Jeremy Avery, was by her side for moral support.

“I’m gonna sing the national anthem, and then go enjoy the rest of the parade,” Maki said. “Get the stressful part out of the way first. I’m nervous.”

Fortunately for Maki, she seemed to have underestimated herself, since she sang the “Star Spangled Banner” clearly, and loud, for all who were in attendance.

All Maki had to do after her soulful rendition was enjoy the parade and the vendors, which sold crafts and food.

While the elephant ears tent seemed to be quite popular for those looking for a massive, sweet treat, there were bounce houses and craft tables nearby. Beading Hearts, which sat across the way, offered unique designs on polished stones and beaded earrings.

Madison Judkins, the local artist who waited patiently as attendees checked out her merchandise, talked to The Daily World about what she likes about the Founder’s Day event.

“The fact they’re having something here,” Judkins said. “I’d like to see more events like this here. I like that they’re bringing local artists down here. It’s making Aberdeen feel alive.”

The sightseers who lined the north and south sidewalks of Market Street, all had their own favorite elements from the parade, which included cheer routines, decked-out Jeeps that at one point propped up other Jeeps, an Aberdeen Fire Department engine, some older cars, the RARE Riding Club of Washington, and other acts that showed a great deal of hometown pride.

Tashianna Walker, and her 9-year-old daughter Aubrey, seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves.

“I liked the entertainment,” Tashianna said. “There were definitely some good routines.”

Tashianna, a former cheerleader, shared how her favorite routine was the Aberdeen High School cheerleaders, who dazzled the crowd with their choreography. The school’s mascot pleased the crowd by high-fiving the onlooking children who were watching them pass by.

“I thought the squad with the Bobcat was awesome,” Tashianna said. “I (also) liked the really cool cars. Don’t get me wrong.”

Tashianna liked how family-oriented the holiday weekend festivities were. She also liked how they didn’t have to travel far for a front-row seat to see the parade.

“We live right up the road, so it’s pretty convenient,” Tashianna said, as Aubrey raced other children for the free candy that was tossed from quite a few of the parade acts.

The Walkers will “probably” be back next year, Tashianna said before she turned to Aubrey to ask her if Aubrey thought they’d come back for Founder’s Day 2023.

“Yes, Mom,” Aubrey said cheerfully.

Connie Jensen, who was in attendance with her two sons Tommy, 7, and Travis, 5, and her 11-month-old daughter Karlie, also really enjoyed the entertainment.

“My favorite was the AHS cheerleaders,” Jensen said. “The boys, their favorite was all the Jeeps. They also loved the motorcycles. It was a tie.”

Jensen said she really liked the job that Luceman did as the parade’s emcee.

“He was great,” Jensen said. “ And, of course, the candy is a bonus.”

The Jensens, who moved to Aberdeen in August 2021, hadn’t been to Founder’s Day before.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Jensen said.

Luceman, a KIX 95.3 radio host, said a lot of work goes into putting on Founder’s Day Parade. He sounded proud of the Rowe couple.

“They put their heart and soul into this,” he said.

Just outside GH Wine Sellars, the band SR109 played. One Aberdeen resident said he could hear their music from a few blocks north on Broadway Street.

The rock quartet played classic rock covers, and they, along with the crowded number of onlookers, looked as though they were loving every minute of it.

The last event of Founder’s Day was the addition of another sidewalk star onto a portion of South I Street, near East Market Street. The star is to commemorate the 42 years that former Publisher John C. Hughes worked for The Daily World. The star can be seen in front of the Old World Building’s sign that reads “Aberdeen Daily World.” The star reads “John C. Hughes, Newspaperman and State Historian.”

Jeff Burlingame, who worked full time as a reporter and editor under Hughes from 1997-2006, talked about Hughes’ place in history.

“He covered everything major here for four decades,” Burlingame said. “He had so many writers who went on to do great things, because they learned from him.”

Hughes said how receiving a star on the sidewalk meant a lot to him.

“It really feels humbling,” Hughes said. “It truly does. I never imagined when I became a newspaper reporter that after all these years later, something like this would happen.”

After all the time to plan for Aberdeen Founder’s Day Parade 2022, Karen Rowe seemed pleased about this year’s success. She noted how before she counted up the parade votes, she thought there were “a couple thousand,” from parade entries, to vendors, and attendees, who flocked to downtown Aberdeen.

“I think it was a great parade this year,” she said. “We’ve got a few changes for next year, but overall I think it was well-attended. I appreciate everybody’s participation in this. We’ve got great vendors, and great parade entries, and it’s a beautiful day to be in downtown Aberdeen.”

Matthew Wells | The Daily World Aberdeen’s VFW Post 224 Honor Guard carries the U.S. flag, the state of Washington flag, and the POW-MIA (Prisoners of War-Missing in Action) flag at the start of the Aberdeen Founder’s Day Parade on Saturday, July 2, 2022, in downtown Aberdeen.

Connie Jensen, her 7-year-old son Tommy, 5-year-old son Travis, and her 11-month-old daughter Karlie, enjoyed the multiple cheerleader routines, the Jeeps, and the motorcycles that passed by during the Aberdeen Founder’s Day parade on Saturday, July 2, 2022, in downtown Aberdeen. (Matthew N. Wells | The Daily World)