A crowd of 1,000 for icon J.P. Patches

Northwest icon J. P. Patches made his final public appearance this weekend. Chris Wedes, who has been the man behind the patchwork jacket and red nose for decades, thrilled a crowd at the Fishermen’s Fall Festival in Seattle.

Some might remember his final appearance last month at the Evergreen State Fair. I have a feeling the crowd of 1,000 who saw him Saturday would be happy to show up for another final appearance too.

Wedes was diagnosed with cancer several years ago and the treatments have taken a toll. The J.P. Patches Show was a fixture on local television for 23 years, from 1958 to 1981. It was the longest-running local children’s show in the country.

There were almost as many cameras as fans. Photos in this story are from red-nosed Patches Pal Steve Sorbo .