San Diego Couple Named 2026 Forks Old Fashioned Fourth of July Tourists of the Day

Published 1:30 am Thursday, July 9, 2026

Ryan and Kathryn of San Diego, California, were honored as the Forks Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Forks Old Fashioned Fourth of July Tourists of the Day.

The couple was greeted Friday morning at the Forks Visitor Information Center, where chamber staff, Lissy and Kari, showered them with a variety of gifts and certificates donated by local businesses. The annual tradition recognizes visitors spending Independence Day in Forks and gives them a memorable welcome to the community.

Although it was Ryan and Kathryn’s first visit to Forks, they were already familiar with Washington state. Last Fourth of July, they celebrated the holiday in Bellingham and the North Cascades. This year’s trip brought them to the West End to experience some of the area’s most famous natural attractions, including the Hoh Rain Forest and the Pacific beaches.

As the honored tourists, Ryan and Kathryn rode through town in the Grand Parade and took in several other Fourth of July festivities throughout the day.

While many visitors come to Forks because of the Twilight phenomenon, Ryan and Kathryn admitted they are not fans of the series. They did, however, share that the lodging where they were staying had the movies available to watch if they decided to give them a try.

One of the things that impressed the couple most was the lush landscape.

“We’re amazed by how green it is here,” they said, noting the striking contrast with their hometown of San Diego.

Back home, both Ryan and Kathryn work in the environmental industry, making their visit to the Olympic Peninsula’s forests and coastline an especially fitting destination.

Their visit offered them a chance to experience Forks’ natural beauty and small-town hospitality while taking part in one of the community’s most cherished holiday traditions.