Here are the photos from HOEK Photography (for best viewing and to read captions: on a desktop browser, click a photo to enlarge then scroll through them using your keyboard mouse):
Former county executive Pete Kremen acted as emcee for the ceremonies.
Queen’s Bluegrass band provided live music and entertainment.
A member of Queen’s Bluegrass band walked the streets with his banjo.
Kids enjoyed hot dogs served at the event.
Free t-shirts were given to the first several hundred attendees.
Mayor Scott Korthuis and his wife Ellen enjoyed the event.
City Council member Nick Laninga attended.
Lynden Downtown Business Association President Ken Stap (left), and Independent We Stand Executive Director Bill Brunelle (center) speak with a local businessman.
Attendees waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Burgers were prepared on a large grill.
Free burgers and hot dogs were popular, with a long line throughout the event.
Volunteers take entries for giveaways.
Kids with bright colored footwear participated in games at the event.
Free small flags were give to kids at the start of the event.
A young girl sits on shoulders at the corner of 5th & Front Streets.
Flags were abundant throughout town.
A boy and his family, finally to the front of the line for lunch.
Mayor Scott Korthuis speaks with a local businessman during the event.
Overflow Taps, adjacent to the block party, was a popular spot later in the afternoon.
A vintage Stihl tractor owned by Jim Hale of Washington Tractor was featured at the event.
Aaron Maas of Queen’s Bluegrass led the band in music.
Examples of the ‘way-finding signage’ that will be installed with the proceeds of the contest award.
A young boy sits on his father’s shoulders holding an American flag.
The crowd gathered for the ceremony and presentation of the $25k award check.
Former county executive Pete Kremen introduced the ceremony.
Young girls danced to the bluegrass music at the front.
The crown overflowed to the side of the event stage.
Young girls danced to the bluegrass music at the front.
The Kings Men of Song sang a couple of pieces for the event.
Marjorie Lorant of Hope Lutheran Church gave an invocation for the event.
The crowd cheers for the Live Stream of the event on Facebook.
Mayor Scott Korthuis joins former County Executive Pete Kremen on stage.
Ellen Korthuis takes a photo with a smile.
Independent We Stand Executive Director Bill Brunelle on stage.
A representative from Stihl, the contest and event sponsor, spoke on stage.
Ken Stap of the Lynden Downtown Business Association accepts an award.
The $25k grand prize check was presented to the Downtown Business Association, joined by various members of the Lynden community.
The Van Wingerden family, owners of Pacific Growers, were thanked for contributing to the Lynden hanging basket program.
Young Van Wingerden girls leaving the stage.
Those who do regular upkeep of the Lynden flower basket program were honored.
Prize drawing for the Stihl blower.
The winner of the Stihl blower giveaway accepts his prize with daughter in tow.
The Lynden Line Dancers performed a couple of dances.
The Lynden Line Dancers performed a couple of dances.
A rare open bench seat during the festival downtown.
Trucks driven by members of Washington Truck Meets and PNW Trucks flew American flags around town.
Trucks driven by members of Washington Truck Meets and PNW Trucks flew American flags around town.
Trucks driven by members of Washington Truck Meets and PNW Trucks flew American flags around town.
Trucks driven by members of Washington Truck Meets and PNW Trucks flew American flags around town.
The Lynden Dutch Bakery was a popular spot for drinks and eats before, during and after the event.
Trucks driven by members of Washington Truck Meets and PNW Trucks flew American flags around town.
Trucks driven by members of Washington Truck Meets and PNW Trucks flew American flags around town.
Trucks driven by members of Washington Truck Meets and PNW Trucks flew American flags around town.
The Lynden Dutch Bakery was a popular spot for drinks and eats before, during and after the event.
Stores stayed open on the holiday and offered their patriotic wares.
Stores stayed open on the holiday and offered their patriotic wares.
A young girl gets her face painted.
A young girl poses with her face painted red white and blue.
Near the end of the day, the face painting station had seen a lot of action.
The crowd looks on as the stage event wraps up.
Restaurants and businesses stayed open on the holiday.
Flags adorned the streets all around town, as usual on holidays such as Independence Day.
The ‘Welkom to Lynden’ mural is framed by multiple flags flying.
The first annual ‘Pitmaster of Lynden’ BBQ competition was a success too!
