Since 1967, the Bainbridge Grand Old 4th has been one of our island’s annual highlights, and community togetherness has been its hallmark. On the 4th, islanders come together with thousands of visitors in and around Winslow to run, to dance, to eat, to drink, and to celebrate together. Close together.
July 4th on Bainbridge has traditionally been about excitedly packing in together elbow-to-elbow at the parade, in the beer garden, or the food-laden Street Fair. Packing in to see, hear and dance to live music with thousands of your closest pals, meeting old friends and making new ones…
Q: Can anyone spot the challenges of planning our usual kind of celebration in these pandemic times?
A: After much consultation and consideration, the best solution to the 2021 GO4 challenge lies within density control.
The 2021 Grand Old 4th: Pandemic Edition
In the interests of health and safety, this is a year where a ‘normal’ 4th is not possible, and so we are proud to announce 2021’s Grand Old 4th: Pandemic Edition: An island-wide day out featuring a fun run, a parade, and a celebration both of of resilience and togetherness in the true spirit of the holiday, and the cooperative nature of the Chamber of Commerce.
Where the traditional Grand Old 4th begins with a run in Winslow, the 2021 Pandemic Edition offers flexible timing and island-wide locations to run.
Where the regular Grand Old 4th Parade is about a short parade in Winslow, the 2021 Pandemic Edition is about an island-wide parade.
Where the normal Grand Old 4th Meal is packed into and around Waterfront Park, the 2021 Pandemic edition is about an island-wide picnic, as a celebration of being together, yet safely distanced.
Where local businesses usually have booths at the Grand Old 4th Street Fair in Waterfront Park, the 2021 Pandemic Edition is about them selling holiday baskets on the Bainbridge Island General Store.
Please note that this is a special kind of Grand Old 4th, intended as a one-off 2021 celebration, with every intention (and hope) of packing back into downtown Winslow for 2022!
Schedule & Details
All-day: Island-wide BYS Fun Run (Virtual Version)
Choose your own time and route! Have fun – run, walk, hike, bike, or jog in your neighborhood or favorite park. Not on Bainbridge for the holiday? No problem – participate from wherever you are – see prize for Global Bainbridge!
5K or 1 Mile – all ages. Entry fee $20 per participant. Includes a race bib and the opportunity to win prizes and earn a t-shirt if you raise $100 over your entry fee.
Kids Dash – kids 7 and under. Entry fee $10 per kid and includes a race bib and the opportunity to win prizes and earn a t-shirt if you raise $100 over your entry fee. Create your own obstacle course, go on a treasure hunt, get creative and send us your pictures!
The Dog Jog – Bring Fido! Entry fee $10 per dog and includes a commemorative bandana for your pet. Win a prize for your Sporty Dog!
Every dollar earned through the Fun Run works to keep Bainbridge Youth Services free and accessible to all youth.
More information at: https://www.askbys.org/2021-fun-run/
Lunchtime: Island-wide Classic Car Cruise Parade
The Bainbridge Island Classic Car Cruise Parade combines the love of classic automobiles with a desire to help local kids. Open to the general public, come and enjoy cool cars and special interest vehicles or bring one of your own (no fee or advance reservation required).
Kicking off at a spot yet to be announced, the cruise will visit all around the island over the course of an approximately 90-minute parade route, bringing this year’s procession to you, wherever you live on Bainbridge.
Donations welcomed – all funds will be donated to Helpline House’s Project Backpack
More information including the parade route and timing coming soon to: https://www.bainbridgeislandcarshow.com/ and https://moderncollision.com
Dinnertime: Island-wide Picnic In The Parks
Grab a basket and blanket, and head on over to any of the Island’s parks for a celebration of our nation and our community. Enjoy the beautiful place that we live, the amazing parks that we have and celebrate safely with your neighbors in a socially-distanced outdoor environment.
Not comfortable with being in a park? Just throw that blanket out in your backyard, or at the end of your street with your neighbors, or even in your living room: The point is not where you are, or what your level of comfort is right now – it is that we are all Bainbridge Strong and we are together, even when we are physically apart.
Don’t have a basket? Want to support Bainbridge businesses and shop small, shop local? The Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with our retail and food/drink members, will be offering pre-packed picnic baskets for sale throughout the month of June, ready for pick up on July 3rd or 4th…
Local baskets now being added daily at: https://bainbridgeislandgeneralstore.com/product-tag/4th-of-july-baskets/
Background
Ever since being forced cancel the Grand Old 4th for the first time in 52 years last summer, the Bainbridge Chamber has been hard at work trying to see what kind of community celebration could be possible for 2021.
This year, in our ever-changing public health landscape, The Chamber has been meeting with dozens of our Grand Old 4th partners over the past few months, including the Downtown Association, Visit Bainbridge, Lodging & Hospitality Association, BYS, BIPD, BIFC, the Park & Recreation Department, the City, the County, the Governor’s Office, and the amazing local businesses and nonprofits of our island.
The only certainty of the past year has been uncertainty, so we adopted a ‘wait-and-see’ approach, while building Plan A, and Plans B, C, D and X. Welcome to a very solid creative Plan B, one that we are proud to say is supported and approved by the Chamber and our local partners.
Please note that this is a special kind of Grand Old 4th, intended as a one-off 2021 celebration, with every intention (and hope) of packing us all back into downtown Winslow for 2022!
More information and updates coming soon to: https://grandold4th.com/