KINGSTON — Anticipate the smell of fireworks and barbeque for the next few days, ‘cause Kingston’s celebrating in full swing for the Fourth.

The “Old Fashioned 4th of July” festival will kick off early on Thursday morning with a day of festivities for the young, old and everyone in between.

Folks can get the morning started off right with a hearty pancake breakfast at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and swing through the Farmer’s Market at the Port of Kingston Marina Park for some fresh goodies from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If the fares there don’t fit one’s fancy, there’s always shopping for old treasures at the Antiques and Collectibles Flea Market from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m., located on the corner of Hwy. 104 and Ohio.

The younger residents of Kingston will have their own kid-sized festival in Tiny Town at Kola Kole Park. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 4-6, youth from North Kitsap and beyond can participate in crazy contests such as hula-hooping, ice-cream eating, bubble-gum blowing and be judged on how much they look like their pets. It’s also the only place where kids can get their pets blessed by Faith Episcopal’s Reverend Joyce McConnal.

Those who are more “down to earth,” can train their slugs for the official slug races and see if their slimy friends are fast enough for what often turns out to be a very heated final competition.

After the kids gorge on every imaginable treat — which parents will surely consent to buy — and why not, it’s the Fourth of July, they’ll surely be making a bee-line for excitement.

They’ll have lots to choose from.

Kids can go jump on a passel of rides, including: a new 34-foot-long slide, a giant bouncer, an obstacle challenge, Propella the Airplane and the Ballpond House, to name just a few. Or they can try their hands at carnival games, nominate mom or dad to be a dunkee in the dunk tank, play a little miniature golf, write a letter to Santa and ride the Little Choo Choo Train.

As a special treat for Friday, July 5, kids can pay $5 and receive an arm band that gets them on the rides all day long. Arm bands are $10 on Thursday.

Entertainment for Tiny Town includes the group New Colors (four boys singing and dancing to oldies), Myrella Thompson (a local teen singer), Stark Roving Improv (five teens doing Drew Carey’s “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”-type improv), and the mother and daughter marionette team Puppets Please. Finally, on the July 6, folks can help celebrate Tiny Town’s 11th birthday with a cake and recognize the volunteers that put together the biggest “miniature” festival around

Outside of that small universe and back to July 4, the older residents of Kingston can enjoy musical entertainment during the Annual 4th of July Music Festival from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Acts include Tugboat, Liam and Friends, The Kinetics, Soul Siren, and Miles from Chicago. The concert venue will be located behind the Main Street Ale House, Pickets On The Cove and Coffee Exchange.

Parade goers will want to start lining the street before noon to watch what promises to be a grand procession down Highway 104. The event starts at Kingston Lumber and finishes up at the ferry terminal. Then, come “kick some tires” at the Nash Metropolitan Show at 1 p.m. About 11-15 mid-century models will be in the parade and will be parked over on the corner of Central Avenue and Ohio for further spectator enjoyment.

Those wanting to see some vehicles in motion won’t have to walk far either an can check out the 3rd Annual Tractor and Pull & Show at 2 p.m. just north of Bank of America.

Feeling lucky? Visitors and residents alike are invited to take a chance at winning the Monster Merchant Gift Baskets around 5 p.m. The big winner can then bask in the glory of big lights as the fireworks blaze through the sky at dusk above the Port of Kingston.

After taking a day on much-needed rest, why not head over to the Kingston Cove Yacht Club on Saturday, July 6, for a Burger Bash from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Then partake in a silent auction at 1 p.m. and a live auction at 3 p.m. Items up for bid will include boating equipment and donated products from local merchants.

Whew.

There should be something for everyone to do this weekend.