Sun shines on Whaling Days 2000

"Good weather and good music drew another good crowd to Old Town last weekend for Whaling Days. Whaling Days President Vickie Garrison said the festival drew about 40,000 people for runs, music, eating and people-watching. It went really well, Garrison said. The music brought a lot of people.Garrison said vendors were happy with how they did, despite the heat. The food and the music is great, but it's also a way for people to get out with their friends and to meet old acquaintances, Garrison said. Jan Lamphere of the Silverdale Dandy Lions club said judges had a hard time picking winners from Saturday's parade. The Sequim Irrigation Festival float won the Grand Marshal's Award, while the Kitsap Regional Library won the Judge's Award and Mothers Against Drunk Driving won the King Lions Award. Kitsap Clown Alley took first in the Adult Fun Float, the Central Kitsap School District Combined Band won the band competition, the Silverettes topped the drill category and Brem-Air was the favorite commercial float. The fraternal category was won by the No. 12 Kitsap County Shriners, Miss Kitsap Fair and Rodeo won the mounted competition and Miss Viking Fest won the royalty category. The Gold Wing Road Riders rode to the front of the vehicles category and the Kitsap County Veteran's Coalition was number one in the veteran category.The big prize winners, however, were those who bet on their ducks. Al Cook of Bremerton now owns a Toyota Tacoma pickup and Colleen Sexton will enjoy a cruise on Holland America as a result of their ducks' respective first and second place finishes. A diamond ring was awarded to Karen Nelson for her duck's third-place finish. Duck Race organizer Maureen Austin estimated around 10,000 ducks were purchased, raising about $50,000 for local charities. Although Austin said fewer ducks were purchased this year than last year, there wasn't a sharp decline in sales. Garrison said planning for next year's Whaling Days will start Monday."

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