The chicken and rabbit races were a hit with the competitors and the crowds at the 2023 San Juan County Fair. Thanks go to Fair Board member Jenn Rigg for her enthusiastic support of the entertaining competition.
Kids of all ages tried their hand at some old-fashioned games at the Kiwanis Annual Pig War Picnic after the 4th of July parade. Matt Pranger photos
The honorees for the Friday Harbor 4th of July Parade, the Grand Marshals, Honored Citizens and the Sam R Buck Community Award Winner were announced by San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce this week.
Waiting for the 2022 parade to start. Photos by Sharon Kivisto
Thirty-five middle school students from Orcas and San Juan Islands took the stage Wednesday afternoon at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church for the annual Rotary Club Spelling Bee. By the end of the third round, the field was reduced by half. Shark was the first word that eliminated a competitor. It was spelled correctly but the speller forgot to say the word before spelling it. This technical error played a part in five competitors leaving the stage. The words were significantly more difficult in each of the five rounds.
The 2023 Friday Harbor High School senior class faced off against teachers, administrators, and coaches in the traditional fundraiser basketball team Friday, March 10. The standing room only crowd in Turnbull gym was treated to a close game - tied after the first half and at the end of regular time.
After two overtimes - first a five-second scoreless one followed by five-minute one - the seniors emerged victorious 47-46.
Photos by Sharon Kivisto
Players on both teams rotated throughout the game, with players switched out every four minutes.
Since this was a fundraiser for Grad Night, there were also other activities going on. The winning raffle ticket was drawn after the third quarter with an islander winning a bit over $400 cash. Bakery San Juan served up a taco dinner prior to the game. A silent auction of desserts also raised funds for the annual grad night.
The half-time show featured FHHS basketball players performing as cheerleaders. Dressed in cheer skirts and many sporting bows in their hair, they ended their routine with gymnastic moves.
The big money-maker was the jail staffed by the Sheriff, several deputies, and border patrol officers. People paid for others to be "arrested and jailed". The incarcerated counted on friends to bail them out, though there were several jail breaks throughout the game.
According to Weatherstreet.com snowfall on San Juan Island ranged from 9.5 to 12 inches on December 20, 2022. Lopez Island received 7.5 to 12 inches. The website had only one figure, 11 inches, for Orcas Island. Most likely the snow on the Horseshoe Island is deeper than that.
The ride back to San Juan Island on the last ferry of the night is always more enjoyable after a win for Friday Harbor High School athletic teams. Saturday the boys soccer team revelled in one of the most buoyant homebound sailings in more than three decades. By dispatching Orcas Island High School 2-1 in the 2022 Class 1B/2B Boys State Soccer Final in Renton, the Wolverines brought home their school’s first state champion trophy since 1986.
The officials lead the Vikings and Wolverines on Renton Memorial Stadium's pitch for the Class 1B/2B Championship. Matt Pranger photo
Friday Harbor High School trimmed Orcas Island High School 2-1 in the Class 1B/2B Boys State Soccer Final Saturday, Nov. 19. The Wolverines made history by taking home the first state champion trophy since 1986.
Orcas Island High School is headed for the Class 1B/2B State Championship game at 3 p.m. Saturday, November 19 in Renton after beating Mount Vernon Christian 1-0 Friday. Viking Tommy Anderson-Cleveland scored on a penalty kick in the first half.
Islands’ soccer fans were treated to a double-bill Friday, Nov. 11 at Sedro-Woolley High School. The Wolverines (12-2) faced eighth-seed Puget Sound Adventist (8-3) at noon and the Vikings (14-2) met sixth-seed Evergreen Lutheran (8-3-1) at 2 p.m. Both teams came away with wins. Both teams advanced to the state semifinals Nov. 18 at Renton Memorial Stadium.
Friday Harbor and Orcas Island soccer teams played at Sedro Woolley Friday, Nov. 11 and came away with wins. Both teams advance to the state semifinals Nov. 18 at Renton Memorial Stadium.
Friday Harbor Wolverines (12-2) beat eighth-seed Puget Sound Adventist (8-3) 1-0 at 12 noon.
At 2 p.m. Orcas Vikings (14-2) beat sixth-seed Evergreen Lutheran (8-3-1) 6-1.
Friday Harbor boys soccer team won this season's rubber match against Orcas Island 2-1 on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Class 1B/2B Distirct 1 Championship at Sammamish High School. The Wolverines (12-2) trimmed the Vikings (14-2) by out-booting their crosswater rivals 5-4 in a shootout. Both teams advance to the state tournament and will play Nov. 11 or 12 against opponents to be determined.
October 11 game - Matt Pranger photo
Witches, Harry Potters, princesses, kings, Colonial Americans, soldiers, bananas, a bag of Reese Pieces, a ghost and even a table paraded through downtown Friday Harbor Monday morning, October 31, 2022. Residents and visitors admired the creativity displayed in the Friday Harbor Elementary School students's costumes. Photos by Matt Pranger
Friday Harbor High School students took to the streets in downtown Friday Harbor Friday, October 28 and showed off their class' homecoming float. All photos by Matt Pranger.
Seniors - Class of 2023