Red, white and Bayview Daze

HAILEY HILL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months AGO

A girl waves an American flag as she rides in a truck bed during Saturday's Old Fashioned "Just Plain Fun" Parade in Bayview.
HAILEY HILL/Press

Members of American Legion Post 149 walk in Saturday's Old Fashioned "Just Plain Fun" Parade in Bayview.

Norma Jean Knowles waves to the crowd as she rides down Main Avenue on Saturday. Knowles was the grand marshal of this year's Old Fashioned "Just Plain Fun" Parade.

Riding in a truck bed, girls toss candy to onlookers during Saturday's parade in Bayview.

A boy aboard Lake Pend Oreille Yacht Club's float shows off to parade watchers.

Bob Prince and Jamie Berube, better known as Uncle Sam and his Bucket Brigade, collected donations to fund next year's fireworks show during Saturday's Parade in Bayview.

Firefighters with the Timberlake Fire Protection District hand out candy along Main Avenue in Bayview on Saturday.

From left, Jonathan, Lucas, Raegan and Jack wave to firefighters along Main Avenue in Bayview on Saturday.

Bayview's Old Fashioned "Just Plain Fun" Parade cruises down Main Avenue in front of thousands of onlookers.

BAYVIEW — For friends Jezzarae Hedlund and Jackie Macdonald, the Old Fashioned "Just Plain Fun" Parade has been a Bayview Daze highlight since their children were babies.

“They wait all year for this,” Hedlund said. “Basically, starting at Christmas, they ask, ‘How long until the Fourth of July?'”

The pair’s young children, Lucas, Raegan, Jonathan and Jack, were among the many children and thousands of people lining Main Avenue on Saturday.

The group could barely handle their excitement as the parade cruised down its route, jumping up and down as many participants tossed candy for them to collect.

Lucas was especially excited to receive a plastic sword from a pirate walking in the parade — even so, the best part of his day was yet to come.

“I like the fireworks because we get to stay up until, like, 10,” Lucas said. “That’s like two hours past our bedtime.”

Though the Fourth of July holiday had come and gone, Bayview’s patriotism remained on full display for the parade. The ensemble featured first responders and emergency vehicles, floats showcasing area businesses and plenty of red, white and blue.

Timberlake Fire Protection District was especially well-received. Children were thrilled to see the large red engines, while many adults shouted “thank you for your service,” applauded, or waved American flags.

This year’s grand marshal was Bayview Chamber of Commerce President Norma Jean Knowles.

She couldn’t help but feel humbled as she rode with her two sons, Lucas and Josh, in the back of a convertible.

“It’s a reluctant honor,” Knowles said with a laugh. “I enjoy it, I’ve been doing (Bayview Daze) for quite a while.”

Members of American Legion Post 149 walk in Saturday's Old Fashioned "Just Plain Fun" Parade in Bayview.

Norma Jean Knowles waves to the crowd as she rides down Main Avenue on Saturday. Knowles was the grand marshal of this year's Old Fashioned "Just Plain Fun" Parade.

Riding in a truck bed, girls toss candy to onlookers during Saturday's parade in Bayview.

A boy aboard Lake Pend Oreille Yacht Club's float shows off to parade watchers.

Bob Prince and Jamie Berube, better known as Uncle Sam and his Bucket Brigade, collected donations to fund next year's fireworks show during Saturday's Parade in Bayview.