Letter to the Editor: The Future of PT’s Fourth of July Celebrations

Please note: This letter to the editor is in response to a letter from the editor that went out in our last newsletter. If you want to receive these letters, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter. It’s free!

Dear Editor,

I am the President of the Port Townsend Summer Band. It was heartening to see you bring up the lack of celebration of the 4th of July in PT.

When the fireworks downtown and the celebration at Ft. Worden were stopped a few years ago the PT Summer Band felt PT deserved some sort of event on the 4th, so we partnered with the PT & Jefferson County Chorus last year and performed a free concert at Pope Marine park for those missing a PT celebration. We had so much fun we are doing it again this year, 6:00 pm at Pope Marine park on the 4th. We will perform patriotic favorites including ballads, marches and sing- a-longs.

It is our hope to grow this event to include more community groups who would like to celebrate the 4th in a typical PT way with community involvement.

I was hoping to bring a lighted Drone show to Memorial Field, alas the cost of upwards of $15,000 is out of range for our merry band. However, I think we could divide and conquer the cost if other groups and businesses were to donate to the effort. Perhaps there is a less expensive Drone show company out there that I haven't found.

Lighted drone shows are amazing, eco friendly and Memorial Field would be the perfect launching place for a fleet of drones to dance over our waterfront.

Port Townsend deserves a proper July 4th celebration! It is my personal hope that the current divisive political climate won't taint the intent of celebrating the birth of our nation. We need a positive, hopeful focus on our country now more than ever.

The Port Townsend Summer Band wishes to keep the 4th alive in PT with fun, family friendly music. I know The American Legion has express interest in participating. Key City is stepping up as is Fiddle Tunes. Who else has been thinking the same thing?

Let's do it together PT on the 4th of July, regardless of what weekday it falls on!

Tracy Wirta

President

Port Townsend Summer Band

All volunteers bringing free Summer concerts to PT for more than 32 years.