John Adams was right when, just before the Declaration of Independence was ratified, he predicted the auspicious day would be celebrated with gusto by all Americans.

“It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more,” Adams wrote to his wife Abigail in 1776.

Well, South End islanders took Adams’ counsel to heart and hopped on that bandwagon almost 100 years ago when the Maxwelton Community Independence Day Parade began in 1915.

The 95th annual Maxwelton parade, hosted by members and volunteers of the Maxwelton Community Club, will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 4. Anybody can join the parade by registering at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Maxwelton and Swede Hill roads, where the quarter-mile parade begins.

Vehicles, with some restrictions, are back this year after not being permitted last year, and creative musical and walking entries, and children on bikes and tricycles are welcome as always.

Vehicles that are 50 years and older, solar-powered vehicles, go-karts, pedal-driven devices and amphibious vehicles are encouraged, organizers said.

Non-vintage vehicles are limited to

5,000 pounds (about the size of a large SUV), and all vehicles must be able to negotiate the parade route and parking area.

The parade ends at the Dave Mackie County Park boat ramp and is followed by an array of games for all ages and live entertainment in the park. Plenty of food, refreshments and fun will be available to families during and after the parade.

Free parking will be in the fields behind Maxwelton Farm, with overflow parking and shuttle service at the Little Brown Church and Maxwelton and French roads.

A portion of Maxwelton Road will be closed during the parade for about an hour.

Again this year, souvenir buttons designed by the young winner of a contest will be available for $1. For information about the event, or to volunteer, call Bob Brooks at 579-2030 or e-mail maxweltonclub@whidbey.com.

Preceding the Fourth of July parade is Freeland’s “Celebrate America” festivities which begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 3 at Freeland Park on Holmes Harbor. The annual event culminates with a patriotic program and professional fireworks display over the water at 10 p.m.

This 16th annual “Celebrate America” event is organized by South Whidbey Assembly of God and is a family friendly celebration of American independence.

And there are plenty of ways to celebrate during this event.

There are inflatable toys and face painting for children, plenty of mouth-watering festival food, and live entertainment, including a musical patriotic tribute to America and those who have served in the Armed Forces. The day comes to a spectacular close with a professional fireworks display over Holmes Harbor.

Admission, parking and entertainment are free at “Celebrate America,” and a free shuttle service will be available from Freeland’s Chase Bank and the Freeland Park-and-Ride lots.

Financial contributions are still needed for the event. Tax-deductible donations can be made online at www.swag-online.org, or mailed to: Celebrate America, PO Box 1449, Langley, WA 98260.

Freeland ‘s ‘Celebrate America’ schedule

2 to 7 p.m. — Bouncy house and inflatable toys open

2 to 6 p.m. — Face painting

4 p.m. — Food available from local venders

4:30 p.m. — Free shuttle service from Freeland’s Chase Bank and Park ‘n Ride lots

6 p.m. — New Found Heights Band

7 p.m. — The Distracted Band

8 p.m. — The Reptile Man

9 p.m. — The Reach Band

10 p.m. — Patriotic celebration and fireworks finale