Anacortes bans Fourth of July paraders from tossing candy, other objects

ANACORTES - For years, participants in Anacortes' annual Fourth of July parade have tossed candy and other objects from their vehicles and floats despite mayors discouraging the behavior.

This year, for the first time, the city is doing more than discouraging.

"We've seen some things that have made us a little nervous," said Jonn Lunsford, the city's director of parks and recreation, referring to children darting into the street to collect candy thrown by parade participants.

"That can be entertaining and fun, kind of like Mardi Gras, but it's not the safest thing," he said. "So we're asking the public to help us solve the problem before anyone gets hurt."

To march or cruise down Commercial Avenue in this year's Independence Day parade, participants must register with the city and, in so doing, agree not to throw candy or any other object from vehicles or floats.

Instead, participants who want to distribute candy or other objects must do so on foot by handing their items to parade-viewers in the bike lanes or on the sidewalks rather than in the parade route itself.

"If we can keep the candy in the margins, that's going to do wonders," Lunsford said.

While the city's acknowledgment states that failure to comply with the new rule may lead to removal from the parade and prohibition from future parades, Lunsford said the goal is not to penalize anyone.

"It's more about education and working with folks," he said. "And many groups already do this. This is just a way of making contact with each group and making sure everyone's aware."

Lunsford, who has worked at the city for about 25 years, said no one has ever been injured by parade vehicles in Anacortes, acknowledging that drivers have always been cautious and thoughtful.

"We would hate to tarnish that," he said.

So far, the city hasn't received any pushback to the registration requirement and the new rule, Lunsford said.

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