While the sky was painted gray, spectators and parade participants dressed in red, white and blue filled the scene below during the 101st year of the Maxwelton Parade this weekend.

Attendance for the parade held on Maxwelton Road totaled over 2,000 people; they gathered to celebrate community and independence at noon Saturday.

Starting at noon, an hour earlier than usual, spurts of sunshine broke through as the parade began at the Swede Hill Road intersection, led by members of the Major Megan McClung Marine Corps League Detachment. Following the detachment was Island County Sheriff’s Office Detective Sergeant Laura Price, grand marshal of the event. Riding in a 1955 Bel Air convertible owned by Ray Gabelein, Price threw candy to eager swarms of children while holding her 2-year-old granddaughter in her lap.

Following Price was an entourage of intricate floats, both vehicular and foot-mobile, that included community organizations, clubs and supporters of politicians. There were 100 entries this year in all.

Terri Cook of Clinton and her 6-year-old grandson, Bryson Thomas, were among the recipients of the piles of candy being thrown from seemingly every float. Thomas enthusiastically waved his arms hoping to catch the attention of the parade participants.

Cook, watching the parade for the second time, also helped collect candy for Thomas, adding to the enjoyment she felt.

“I love it,” Cook said.

Fraser McCartney was surprised by the volume of candy, as compared to what he had seen in his native land of Scotland. A friend of Colin Campbell, who owns Cadée Distillery in Clinton and is also from Scotland, and his wife, Debra McCartney, thought the parade was an exemplary way of showing thanks for what America’s forefathers fought for over 200 years ago.

“It’s really grand,” McCartney said. “It’s good to come to a country and see proper culture.”

Another first-time witness of the century-old tradition in the Maxwelton Community was Mary Kesterson of Houston, Tex. Though she disagreed with Colin Campbell’s playful assertion that the parade was bigger than those in Texas, Kesterson was impressed by the atmosphere.

“It’s very family-friendly,” Kesterson said. “It’s really wonderful.”

Jody Levitt of Langley was happy to see her three children participate in the parade while representing the Crazy Critters, Crabs and More 4-H club.

“I love it because it’s so diverse,” Levitt said.

Other parade participants included South Whidbey residents Janice Coffey and Kim Kelzer who were joined by friend and Connecticut native Cheryl Hill. Riding a truck christened the “Vintage Prom Queens,” Coffey and Hill handed out candy while Kelzer strolled nearby while spinning a hula hoop. Kelzer has participated in the event for the past five years and has yet to drop her hula hoop. She said after the parade that the only difficulty in keeping the streak alive is not being distracted by the attendees.

“So far I’m undefeated,” Kelzer said. “I’ve never dropped it the whole way.”

“You gotta avoid audience distraction when they’re yelling at you,” she added.

Hill said she would be eager to return to the parade next year.

“It’s real Americana,” Hill said. “It’s great seeing everybody all dressed up and having such a good time.”

B.J. Hoogerwerf, president of the Maxwelton Community Club, said the event held strong despite concerns that the earlier start time and it taking place on a Monday would lower attendance figures.

“All in all, it was a great parade,” Hoogerwerf said.