07/30/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2026
Media Contact
Unity of Effort
1-833-525-6448
www.UnityofEffort.org
UNITY OF EFFORT RETURNS TO SEQUIM AUGUST 8 FOR A FREE, ALL-DAY CELEBRATION HONORING THOSE WHO PROTECT OUR WAY OF LIFE
Military and emergency aircraft, first-responder displays, two K-9 demonstrations, the 56th Army Band and a full day of live music headlined by rock legend Lita Ford
SEQUIM, Wash. — Military personnel, law-enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical professionals, veterans and security officers will come together with the community for the 2026 Unity of Effort on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at 250 Center Park Way, Sequim, Washington 98382.
The event is free and open to the public, including admission, entertainment, family activities and parking. Gates, community booths and displays will open at 10:00 a.m. Military, federal and emergency-response aircraft are scheduled to begin arriving at 10:00 a.m.
Visitors will have the opportunity to tour helicopters and emergency vehicles, meet the professionals who operate them, watch working K-9 teams in action, explore military and first-responder equipment and enjoy live music throughout the day.
“Check your politics at the door. This is the time to celebrate the men and women who protect our way of life and keep us safe,” said Unity of Effort event coordinator Joe D’Amico.
Aircraft Arrivals and Helicopter Static Displays
Aircraft will begin arriving at approximately 10:00 a.m. and will remain on display as operational schedules permit. Members of the public will have the opportunity to meet participating aircrews and view the aircraft up close.
Currently scheduled aviation participants include:
U.S. Army 4-160th “Night Stalkers”
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Washington Army National Guard — UH-72 Lakota
Life Flight
Aircraft and aircrew participation is subject to weather, emergency calls, military missions and operational availability. Additional aircraft may be announced as final confirmations are received.
Military, Law-Enforcement and First-Responder Displays
The Unity of Effort grounds will feature static displays, vehicles, equipment, recruiting information and community-outreach booths from military, law-enforcement, fire, medical, security, veteran and emergency-response organizations.
Currently confirmed participants include:
Military and Federal Agencies
U.S. Army 4-160th “Night Stalkers”
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 130-04-04
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
FBI Seattle
U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Navy EOD Detachment Bangor — EOD Mobile Unit 11
U.S. Air Force recruiters
Law-Enforcement and Public-Safety Agencies
Clallam County Sheriff’s Office
Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management
Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe Law Enforcement
Port Townsend Police Department
Seattle Police Department
Sequim Police Department
Suquamish Police Department
Washington State Patrol
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Washington State Department of Corrections
Washington State Parks
Peninsula Critical Response Team
Fire, Rescue and Emergency Medical Organizations
American Medical Response
Clallam Fire District No. 1 Swift Water Rescue
Clallam County Fire District No. 3 — Sequim
Clallam County Fire District No. 4 — Joyce
Clallam County Fire District No. 5 — Clallam Bay and Sekiu
Olympic Ambulance
Life Flight
CERT and CRS personnel
Veteran, Youth and Special Displays
American Legion Walter Akeley Post 29
VFW Post 4760 of Sequim
VFW Post 6787 of Carlsborg
Port Angeles High School NJROTC
Olympic Silent Flyers RC Club
Young Eagles and the Experimental Aircraft Association
Special World War II display
Evergreen Towing
Mission22
Hooves & Heroes
Warrior Brotherhood Motorcycle Club of Washington
Security Services Northwest officers will also be available to meet the public and discuss the role professional security officers play in protecting businesses, schools, government facilities, public infrastructure and communities.
Additional booths, agencies and static displays may be added as final confirmations are received. All participating organizations and equipment are subject to change.
Two K-9 Demonstrations
Unity of Effort will feature two opportunities to see highly trained working K-9 teams in action.
At 1:30 p.m., the Washington State Department of Corrections will conduct a special K-9 detection demonstration, providing visitors with an inside look at how detection dogs and their handlers work together to identify prohibited substances and help maintain safe correctional facilities.
At 2:00 p.m., the event will present a multiagency police K-9 demonstration featuring teams from:
Port Angeles Police Department
Sequim Police Department
Bremerton Police Department
Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office
Because working police and detection dogs will be present, visitors are asked to leave personal pets at home.
The 56th Army Band and Live Entertainment
Live entertainment begins at 11:00 a.m. with a brass quartet from the 56th Army Band, also known as America’s First Corps Band, from Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
The scheduled musical lineup includes:
11:00 a.m. — 56th Army Band Brass Quartet
12:01 p.m. — National Anthem performed by Pearle Peterson
12:05 p.m. — Chelsea Rose
1:00 p.m. — Buck Ellard Band
3:00 p.m. — Scooter Brown Band
4:30 p.m. — IronHorse
6:00 p.m. — Hammer Head
8:00 p.m. — Lita Ford
The one and only Lita Ford will take the stage at 8:00 p.m. for a free headlining performance to close out the day’s musical celebration.
Ford is recognized around the world as a pioneering rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. Her appearance will cap a full day of country, rock and patriotic entertainment celebrating the people who serve and protect America. The official event site currently lists Lita Ford, Scooter Brown Band, Hammer Head, Chelsea Rose, Buck Ellard Band, IronHorse and the U.S. Army brass quartet among the musical guests.
Schedule of Major Events
10:00 a.m. — Gates, booths and displays open
10:00 a.m. — Military and emergency-response aircraft begin arriving
10:00 a.m. — “Rally to Unity” motorcycle riders arrive
10:30 a.m. — Miss Fort Discovery recognition
11:00 a.m. — 56th Army Band Brass Quartet
11:45 a.m.–5:00 p.m. — Children’s activities, bounce houses and face painting
12:00 p.m. — Invocation
12:01 p.m. — National Anthem performed by Pearle Peterson
12:05 p.m. — Chelsea Rose
12:45 p.m. — Children’s Straw Find
1:00 p.m. — Buck Ellard Band
1:30 p.m. — Washington State Department of Corrections K-9 Detection Demonstration
2:00 p.m. — Multiagency Police K-9 Demonstration
3:00 p.m. — Scooter Brown Band
4:30 p.m. — IronHorse
6:00 p.m. — Hammer Head
8:00 p.m. — Lita Ford
10:00 p.m. — Event concludes and gates close
The schedule is subject to change. Aircraft and participating emergency-response units may be required to depart early or cancel because of active missions, emergencies, weather or operational requirements.
Food, Refreshments and Family Activities
Unity of Effort will feature children’s activities, bounce houses, face painting, free raffles, community exhibits, vendor booths and food and refreshments available for purchase throughout the day.
Scheduled food and refreshment vendors include:
7 Cedars
Egg Roll Hut
Fogtown Coffee Bar
Kendra’s Koncessions
Northwest Cold Treats
OG Coffee
Paradise Cafe
Sequim Valley Lions Hot Dog Wagon
Southern Nibble
SowBoys Bar.B.Q.
Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket for the concert area. Attendees should also consider bringing a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, a hat and an extra layer for the evening.
Free Parking and Overflow Locations
Free parking is available on the Unity of Effort event grounds. Designated accessible parking will also be available onsite.
Once the main parking area reaches capacity, additional free overflow parking will be available at:
KeyBank — 120 N. Dunlap Avenue, Sequim
PUD Lot — 150 N. Govan Avenue, Sequim
Bellevue Healthcare — 520 E. Washington Street, Sequim
Maple Street Lot — 460 E. Maple Street, Sequim
Visitors should follow posted Unity of Effort parking signs and directions from traffic-control personnel. The event’s official FAQ confirms free admission, free parking and designated accessible parking.
Event at a Glance
What: 2026 Unity of Effort
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Hours: 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Aircraft Arrivals: Beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Location: 250 Center Park Way, Sequim, WA 98382
Admission: Free and open to the public
Parking: Free onsite and at designated overflow locations
Information: 1-833-525-6448 or www.UnityofEffort.org
Unity of Effort is a locally organized public celebration created to honor law enforcement, emergency services, military personnel, veterans and security professionals by bringing those organizations directly to the community. Security Services Northwest and Fort Discovery have hosted the event in Sequim since 2001.
Come meet the people. Tour the equipment. Watch the demonstrations. Hear the music. Celebrate those who keep us safe.
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