After more than a decade of living in Issaquah, Jackie and Evans Nguyen and their three children have moved back to Jackie’s childhood home on Yarrow Point, making their return just in time to chair this year’s much-anticipated holiday parade. Yarrow Point’s Fourth of July Parade is a beloved tradition that’s been part of the neighborhood for nearly 50 years.

Jackie grew up on Yarrow Point in the 1980s and '90s, and for her, the Fourth of July was always the highlight of the summer. “It was a big deal,” she recalls. “My older brother, Bob, usually marched with the Scout Troop or band, and my younger brother, Joe, and I would wake up early to set out folding chairs and stake out a prime candy-grabbing spot.” She laughs remembering how they always skipped riding bikes in the parade, too worried about missing the candy tossed from old-timey cars.

The holiday was always a sensory celebration. There was strawberry shortcake made by neighbor Charlie Berry, brass bands playing down the street, kids chasing bubbles, and fireworks lighting up the lake from a barge in Cozy Cove. Jackie’s memories are vivid and joyful; a picture of small-town charm wrapped in patriotic spirit.

 

Though Jackie eventually moved away for college and settled in Issaquah with her husband, Evans, the pull of Yarrow Point remained strong. “We never missed a Fourth if we could help it,” she says. Every summer, the family would return to celebrate with Jackie’s parents, Mel and Nanette Freeman, and to share the joy of the event with their own children: Jack (16), Cole (13), and Ava (7). Now they’re back for good, and this year they are leading the celebration.

Earlier this year, when the town needed someone to chair the 2025 Fourth of July celebration, Evans didn’t hesitate. “He volunteered himself, and by default, me too!” Jackie jokes. With the move home still fresh, they saw an opportunity to contribute to the town that had given Jackie so much growing up. “We didn’t want the parade to not happen our first year back,” they say.

Their homecoming story is more than sentimental, it’s deeply generational. Jackie’s father, Mel, purchased their house in 1970. The Freemans recently remodeled the property to make it suitable for a bustling multi-generational household that now includes Jackie and Evans, their kids, Jackie's parents, and an assortment of beloved pets. “It’s been a fantastic situation for everyone,” Jackie says. “The kids get to grow up surrounded by family, the grandparents are constantly entertained, and Evans and I even get the occasional date night.” Their home retains the “open door” policy Jackie remembers from childhood, with friends and family coming and going often, keeping the house, and their hearts, very full.

Professionally, Evans works as an engineering director at a biomedical corporation, while Jackie balances life as a chef, cookbook author, and “house manager” of what might be the liveliest household on the Point. This year, the Nguyens are infusing the Fourth of July celebration with both tradition and new energy. Familiar events like the brass band, Pet Parade, scouts, and candy-filled classic cars are still staples. Jackie’s son, Jack, will be volunteering at several events and might even be spotted on the pickleball court, a newfound passion of his, during the community tournament. Evans and Jackie are also excited to introduce a few new additions they hope will become traditions of their own. One highlight is the Point-to-Point Paddle, a new water event scheduled for the weekend before the Fourth, encouraging neighbors to get out on the water together. After the parade, the street fair will feature face painters and balloon artists to keep the youngest attendees entertained.

“Our daughter Ava already has plans to invite all her friends to ride bikes in the parade,” Jackie says, noting how much joy she takes in seeing her children enjoy the same traditions she once did.

Even Jackie’s 90-year-old father is getting involved. “He’s going through old photo albums, helping us remember and honor Yarrow Point’s history,” she says. “It’s so special to see the past and present come together like this.”

Yarrow Point has always felt like a close-knit town, and that spirit is part of what drew Jackie and Evans back. Whether it's walking to the beach and playground, playing in the lake, or catching up with longtime neighbors, it’s clear that Yarrow Point remains a place where memories are made and remade year after year. “Coming back has felt like coming full circle,” Jackie says. “It’s an honor to help carry this tradition forward - not just for our family, but for the entire community.”

As Yarrow Point gets ready to roll out its folding chairs, fire up the grills, and toss candy from classic cars, the Nguyen family is already hard at work behind the scenes. And when the parade kicks off this July 4th, they’ll be right where they belong: at the heart of it all.