Riding in the back seat of a convertible Volkswagen Beetle, grand marshal Martha Murphy led the start of the Island County Parade under sunny skies this morning.

Dozens of entries putted past a small but thankful crowd along Camano Avenue.

And since it’s an election year, many candidates for public office brought large contingents of marchers.

Spotted in the parade were state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, state Reps. Norma Smith and Barbara Bailey, and candidates for Island County commissioner including Commissioner Phil Bakke, Curt Gordon and Reece Rose, Helen Price Johnson.

Saturday is typically the busiest day of the Island County Fair, and a line of roughly 30 or so people stood waiting to buy tickets near the northern entrance to the fairgrounds just after the parade ended.

Free parking spaces next the fairgrounds were filled, along with most available spaces on nearby neighborhood streets.

Island County Transit is providing a free shuttle to the fair today and Sunday; check www.islandcountyfair.org or www.islandtransit.org for route information.