PHOTOS AND TEXT BY DAVID WELTON
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
April 18, 2016

In an unusual turn of events, the skies were blue and the day was warm for the 2016 Welcome the Whales parade in Langley on Saturday April 16.

Siobhan Wright finishes off her mermaid costume with flippers as Mad Matt looks on while waiting for the parade to begin.

This little Orca is missing teeth but still sings about eating little fishes.

MC Jim Freeman clowning around on First Street.

This purple sea creature was a highlight of the parade!

Mayor Tim Callison with a non-ceatacean participant approaches Langley City Hall.

Patch the Gray Whale takes over for retired Gary, and makes his debut/spy hop on First Street.

Langley Whale Center volunteers maneuver Patch along the parade route.

It takes two to operate the Gecko puppet.

Susan Berta and Jim Freeman lead the crowd in a greeting to whales, who remained on the west side of Whidbey Island on Saturday. Visit the Langley Whale Center  or the Orca Network Facebook page for updated whale sightings.

Banners and smiles file Cascade Avenue on this beautiful spring day.

Audri Cooke, age 10, at Sea Wall Park in front of hundreds, sings “Whales Come Home”, a song she wrote for the Save the Whales Parade.

People and sea creatures gather after the parade to welcome the whales.

David Welton is a retired physician and staff photographer for Whidbey Life Magazine. 

__________________

CLICK HERE to read more WLM stories and blogs. Have a great story idea? Let us know at info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.

WLM stories and blogs are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Linking is permitted. To request permission to use or reprint content from this site, email info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.