“It’s time again for adults, kids and organizations to prepare their masks, costumes, flags or banners for this year’s Procession of the Species, a popular segment of the Maxwelton Fourth of July Parade. Marchers dress up as their favorite plant or animal species and join the parade to encourage salmon to return to the Maxwelton in the autumn. It’s a chance to add a little green to the red, white and blue, said organizer Sego Jackson.The Procession of the Species has three guidelines: No pets, no written words, and no motorized vehicles. (These guidelines do not apply to the rest of the Maxwelton Fourth of July Parade.) Everyone is welcome to show up with their masks or costumes and musical instruments. There are often extra props to carry at the parade if you don’t have time to make something but want to join in. For costume ideas, visit the Website, www.olywa.net/procession/photos, which shows costumes created for other Processions. There are also good mask-making books available at libraries. Raven Jirikovic is again organizing a spicy All Species Samba drum and dance troupe to accompany the Procession. Those interested in joining can contact her at raven@whidbey.com. Musician Barbara Dunn is organizing a Celtic Marching Band. Other musicians who want to play can contact her at barbdunn@whidbey.com or 341-1714. Participants should meet at the corner of Swede Hill and Maxwelton Roads no later than noon on July 4th to get ready for the parade.The original Procession was organized in Olympia six years ago by Eli Sterling, brother of Clintonite Alice Sterling. Held as an annual Earthday celebration, the Olympia event had more than 10,000 participants and spectators this year. Whidbey Island was the second area to hold an annual Procession, now in its 4th year at the Maxwelton Fourth of July parade.For more information on the Procession, contact Sego Jackson at pond@whidbey.com. “