PORT TOWNSEND — After a week of sunshine, organizers of the 76th annual Rhododendron Parade were expecting good weather for Saturday’s parade, so the morning’s cloudy conditions caused some stress.
But the clouds cleared in time for the 1 p.m. parade through Port Townsend, and the 106 participants provided the brightness that the sun declined to supply.
The parade took about 2 1⁄2 hours to finish, with participants ranging from respectful military tributes to political groups, businesses, civic groups and pure whimsy.
There were several high school bands from throughout the Puget Sound region, as well as floats featuring royalty from parades around the state.
Festival spokeswoman Stacy Richards estimated that about 1,300 people watched the parade.
“It went for 13 blocks, with about 100 people on each block,” she said.
The Rhody Festival winds up today beginning with a pancake breakfast fundraiser at the Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St., from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tickets will be $5 at the door.
Also today
■ The Jim Caldwell Memorial Rhody Festival Golf Tournament, which began Saturday, will resume at 9 a.m. at the Port Townsend Golf Course.
■ Registration for the Rhody Run, a 12-kilometer run/walk that attracts about 2,000 people annually, will begin at 9 a.m. at Fort Worden State Park, with the run beginning at 11 a.m.
An awards ceremony for the winners will be at 1 p.m. at the park.
■ The Rhody Carnival at Memorial Field will open at noon.
