The crowd lining First Street for La Conner’s Fourth of July parade on Monday either stood for the 30-minute event or were seated on benches, in camp chairs, and along curbs.

But the best seats were reserved for Gable Wilkins and his gold medalist Special Olympics teammates. They rode on La Conner Hook & Ladder’s vintage ’41 Ford fire engine, leading the parade.

Fire Chief and Code Enforcement Officer Aaron Reinstra coordinated what was truly a special appearance by the team members, one much appreciated by all parade-goers.

Wilkins and the Special Olympians, who set the gold standard in volleyball at the 2022 USA Games in Orlando, Florida last month, took a victory lap downtown aboard the town’s iconic parade vehicle – most agreed this was one of the best parade entries here in recent memory. And while the Catmobile was absent Monday, the firetruck mimicked it by circling around and returning and going down First Street for an encore.

“Nearly the entire parade route was lined with people watching, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves,” said Town Administrator Scott Thomas, who joined in near the end behind the wheel of his Mazda convertible.

Spectators of all ages were treated to a long line of vintage cars and trucks, classic John Deere tractors, several emergency vehicles and folks of all ages on foot, pedaling bicycles and pushing scooters.

“It went very well. I believe it was a lot bigger (than usual),” said council member Rick Dole, who entered his 1928 Model A truck – known hereabouts as “The Ghost of Tom Joad.”

“There were lots more classic and antique cars and trucks,” Dole noted. “It was almost a rolling car show.”

John and Toni Christianson’s popular 1952 MG TD convertible, always a parade favorite, got special attention this year. After backfiring, it stalled, out of gas, and had to be rolled curbside near the old Lighthouse Inn.

The Dancing Kaufmans, Jerry and Jeri, meanwhile, added rock and roll to the festivities.

The couple, dressed in patriotic garb, periodically hopped out of their red Ford Mustang to bust some moves in the middle of First Street. Appropriately,

“Dancing in the Street” by Martha & The Vandellas boomed from their car stereo.

Folks were happy knowing the parade is again on solid footing at this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was great to have the parade back again,” said Assistant Fire Chief Adam Avery.

Thomas likewise felt it was another major step toward normalcy, though the community picnic that traditionally follows the parade had to remain shelved for at least another year.

“It went really well,” he said afterward. “Last year we had one of the only parades in Skagit due to COVID-19. This year they are all back, but we had about as many parade participants as last year.”