2022 marks the "Double Nickel" anniversary of the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce producing the island's beloved Grand Old 4th of July Parade.

As we celebrate this 55-year tradition, Bainbridge Prepares has been selected as this year's Parade Grand Marshal.The Chamber recently voted Bainbridge Prepares as the recipient of the 2022 Citizen of the Year Award, based on our COVID response work with clinics, testing sites, and mobile response teams. That award comes with the honor of leading the Grand Old July 4 parade, but we couldn't have done it alone!

In recognition of local partners working hand-in-hand with Bainbridge Prepares and who were vital in the success of our COVID response, joining us in the Marshal's vehicle will be a dream team of friends. Representatives from COBI, BIFD, and Bainbridge Community Pharmacy will be along for the ride in the classic and all-electric VW bus provided by Pacwesty. The vehicle is a nod to the parade's longstanding tradition of an antique lead vehicle, while demonstrating our collective search for climate crisis solutions.

Directly behind the Marshal vehicle will be the first ever “parade within a parade” at the Grand Old 4th celebration. Here, we invite all 650+ Bainbridge Prepares volunteers and their families, as well as members of supporting groups (MemberPlus, Island Volunteer Caregivers, Rotary, and more) to march. We’re encouraging all Bainbridge Prepares volunteers to wear Bainbridge Prepares-branded gear and supporting groups to select clothes/hats that represent their respective organizations.

Beginning at 1pm, the mile-long parade from High School Road down Madison and through Winslow will feature dozens of flags, bands, organizations, businesses and more – usually somewhere around 100 units. While the parade may be the high point of the Grand Old 4th celebration, the day will be packed with fun including a pancake breakfast, all-day street fair, foot races (benefitting Bainbridge Youth Services), a classic car show, music, food, entertainment, a Waterfront Park beer and wine garden, and a kids' zone with games, a giant slide, and pony rides.