Over dinner with friends last winter, island artist Kate Thompson and musician/writer Mary Bruno mused about creating something to break the pall that the pandemic had created; something silly and joyous, and maybe at the Strawberry Festival.

And The Vashon Island Marine Band and Procession was born — a collection of artists, makers, musicians, and those who dance along, working with Nadine Edelstein at the First Sunday Styro and Plastic Recycle to build critters of the Salish Sea out of bubble wrap, paper mache and other castoffs. Mary Bruno put the word out to musician pals and — with plastic buckets, ex-drum-major Carol Kenefick, and six weeks of drilling — an awesome drum line was created.

Taking inspiration from Olympia’s Procession of the Species and England’s Handmade Parade, Thompson built many of the initial costumes and critters and others followed with their own imaginations. The only caveat was to honor Salish Sea life. Old pals, from Wisenergy Vashon, joined in the planning of maker days, publicity and telling other groups of the Marine group’s plans.

Other friends jumped in to paint banners, make jellyfish, work with kids, gather materials and generally add to the bonhomie. And on parade day, the joy was palpable and the silliness epic. Hopefully, it will all become a new tradition on Vashon.