Strawberry Festival Grand Marshal & Vashon Island’s Unofficial Mayor

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 Strawberry Festival Grand Marshal. When nominating someone please tell us how they have enhanced Island life, given back to the community, their involvement in community service work, how long they have lived on Vashon, and generally why you think they should be Vashon Island’s Grand Marshal.

Please send nominations for Grand Marshal to the Chamber of Commerce at PO Box 1035, clearly marked "nomination" or email to debi@vashonchamber.com .

Nominations must be received by May 30th.

Enter Your Candidate for Vashon Island’s Unofficial Mayor

Have you dreamt about a career in politics? Here is your chance to become the Unofficial Mayor of Vashon Island AND support your favorite non-profit organization at the same time!

Anyone can register to run for office (with the written permission of the non-profit organization they wish to represent). Responsibilities include announcing you are running for office to the Chamber and local newspapers, campaigning for your election, placement of up to 12 ballot boxes in participating locations, and riding in the Sunday Tom Steward Memorial Car Parade.

Your supporters can vote (as many times as they like) by depositing a dollar (or more) in the 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 non-profits on the Island. Money is collected and sent to the Chamber of Commerce for counting and verifying. The Mayor’s race has been known to raise up to $15,000 to benefit Island causes!

The Unofficial Mayor may be invited to participate in other events throughout the year, but participation is totally optional. Once elected, the fun starts…all year, the Unofficial Mayor can do whatever he or she pleases! (Just a word of caution, the Unofficial Mayor has as much power as they have budget for this position!)