Are You Ready to Party? Grand Old 4th, Rotary Auction and Street Dance Back on Tap!

Three of the island’s biggest traditions are planning to resurface this summer – all on the same weekend! We’re talking about the Rotary Auction & Rummage at Woodward Middle School on Saturday July 2nd, the Downtown Winslow Street Dance on Sunday July 3rd, and the Grand Old Fourth of July on Independence Day, which falls on a Monday.

Due to the Pandemic, each of these signature island events have taken a hiatus the past two years. The Bainbridge Island Rotary Club held it’s auction and rummage sale online in 2020 and 2021, but only raised $100,000 in each of those years compared to the last time it held an in-person event in 2019 when it took in more than $600,000.

“It was a major drop (in donations),” said Dick Brown, a past president of the Rotary Club.  “We can’t do for the community (with an online approach) with what we can do with a live event.” The Rotary Club donates to a myriad of island causes, from the Boys & Girls Club to Helpline House and the Senior Community Center, among many others.  In normal years, some 1,400 community volunteers work with Rotarians for nearly two weeks, helping to stage the auction and rummage sale at Woodward, before the actual event day takes place. For more information visit, https//:www.bainbridgerotaryauction.org.

The Bainbridge Island Downtown Association has put on the Street Dance on the evening of July 3rd for more than three decades. The event, held on blocked off portions of Winslow Way, includes several bands, food and kids activities. The very next day, the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce holds the grand-daddy of them all –  the Grand Old Fourth of July.

“We’re excited to bring the full traditional Grand Old 4th back to the island as part of the (full) Celebrate Bainbridge experience,” said Stefan Goldby, President and CEO of the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce, “We look forward to seeing everyone back for a weekend of fun.”

The Fourth, consistently ranked among the island’s most popular events, includes a Pancake Breakfast, presented by the BHS Boosters Club,  the Bainbridge Youth Services Fun Run, a Street Fair, stretching along Bjune and Brien streets in front of Waterfront Park, a Classic Car Show, featuring nearly 100 cars and trucks, the famous Mile-Long Hometown Parade (that starts at 1 p.m. sharp!), a Beer & Wine Garden at Waterfront Park, several venues with live entertainment, and a Kids Zone with games and pony rides. The Grand Old Fourth  dates back to 1967 and is considered the island’s largest party. Click here to visit the GO4th website.

All events are being responsibly planned with appropriate safety considerations in mind, and each organization will likely make adjustments to follow all public health guidance and provide regular updates.

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