With the “No Kings” protests estimated to have drawn nearly 7 million attendees nationwide Oct. 18, Jefferson County exceeded its own “No Kings” attendance numbers from June.

Gina McMather, who serves as the leadership chair for the Port Townsend Indivisible group, cited two counts, “one by drone, and one on the ground with manual clickers,” that placed attendance at the Port Townsend “No Kings” rally around 3,000 attendees.

“That is 800 to 1,000 more than our previous ‘No Kings’ rally in June,” McMather said. “Port Ludlow and Quilcene groups also registered their events on the national ‘No Kings’ website, and they got about 180 and 100 attendees, respectively. About 35 people demonstrated at the Chimacum corner too.”

The Unexpected Brass Band had people dancing, before speakers took the mic, and chanting picketers lined the street from Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park to Pope Marine Park, to the beat of the Democracy Bucket Brigade drum corps.

“People in yellow crowns, dinosaurs, frogs and other silly inflatables were dancing, and people were clapping and waving signs, both earnest and funny,” McMather said. “It felt purposeful and joyful. It was a celebration of our community and our democracy.”