The weather is warming up, and coming with it are preparations for Vashon’s summer festivities. The Vashon-Maury Island Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the Strawberry Festival’s Grand Parade Grand Marshal and for unofficial mayor candidates.

The grand marshal will be given a special place in the festival’s parade on July 16 and the car parade on July 17, as well as the opportunity to present a parade participant with the Grand Marshal’s Choice Award. His or her name will also be etched on the grand marshal’s plaque displayed at the chamber. Islanders are urged to nominate special individuals worthy of the title by sending the chamber a letter or an email explaining the following: How the nominees have enhanced island life, what ways they have given back to the community, what their involvement is in the community, any service work they have done or are doing, how long they have lived on Vashon and, most importantly, why they should be Vashon Island’s grand marshal. Nominations will be accepted until noon Tuesday, June 15.

Nominees will be selected by Island Market IGA (sponsors of the Grand Marshal Award) and board members of the chamber of commerce.

In addition to the search for grand marshal, the chamber is also calling for candidates for Vashon’s annual unofficial mayor race, a fundraiser for local nonprofits.

Noodle the Sheep is the race’s first candidate and was introduced to the island last Saturday at the season’s first farmers market, but Noodle needs competition. Anyone can enter and run for the office regardless of age, race, gender identity or species. Candidates interested in joining the race must declare which island charity they want to represent, get written permission from the organization to run and then begin fundraising and campaigning. To officially throw a hat in the ring, candidates then need to announce the decision to run to the chamber of commerce and agree to the rules of the election, then announce it to the local newspapers.

The declaration deadline is June 1.

The campaign can then begin with the creation and placement of up to 12 ballot boxes, organizing fundraisers and getting votes.

Supporters can vote as many times as they like by depositing at least a dollar in any ballot box. Each dollar counts as one vote, with the winner earning the title of Vashon Island’s Unofficial Mayor. All money goes to benefit nonprofits on the island. Chamber Executive Director Jim Marsh said the mayor’s race has raised up to $15,000.

The winner will ride in a vintage car in the Strawberry Festival’s car parade and will be invited to participate in other events throughout the year, such as ribbon-untying ceremonies and chamber events, but participation is optional.