Big turnout for this morning’s West Seattle/Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade – bigger than last year, by our informal measure, which is how long our clip of the entire parade runs. Last year we had to break it into 2 clips totaling 13 minutes; this year, our video (above) totals 16 minutes. OK, nonscientific, but still. Another contrast – cloudy last year, bright sunshine this time. Anyway, this is an all-volunteer effort – here’s coordinator Sherri Chun:

She also emceed the games at Hamilton Viewpoint Park post-parade – old-fashioned fun, like sack races:

Inbetween – hundreds of kids (and adults!) on parade. Click ahead for some of the scenes:

A few came with signs; a few came with balloons:

One even came with a shield:

And there were shades:

And even flowers (next up, Rose Parade?):

We spotted a pirate, maybe a little early for this Saturday’s Seafair Pirates Landing on Alki:

And a tractor driver!

Royalty was on hand, of course, courtesy of the West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival (who then was headed off to the Burien 4th of July Parade this afternoon):

They carried the banner too:

Even a former mayor:

That’s Greg and Sharon Nickels, who live close to the parade route, with dogs Edgar and (new addition) Roxie. A few current politicians joined in, too – County Councilmember Joe McDermott spoke briefly before walking in the parade (we’ll add video later):

Two Seattle City Council candidates were spotted too:

That’s West Seattleite Michael Taylor-Judd, who worked the sidelines; next, Bobby Forch:

We also spotted Derek Birnie, who’s moving on from running Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (as reported here earlier this week) – he brought twins Gabe and Si to join the parade:

Engine 29 from the Admiral District’s fire station led the parade:

Then at Hamilton Viewpoint, kids got to check out the fire engine, up close and personal:

In the parade, this pickup is the only other motorized vehicle besides the police escorts:

Those who live along the parade route really get into the spirit:

The flags along the curb were near the start of the parade route. A few houses away, lives Bob A – who had kindly offered us the chance to get our parade video from his balcony near the start of the parade route – it’s the house with the bunting (you can see Bob if you look really closely), which provided patriotic music too:

Thanks, Bob! Also very much in the holiday’s spirit – maybe you saw Lady Victoria along the way?

At the park, the Admiral Neighborhood Association again offered concessions, and sold its trademark “Admiral” logo apparel – Dave Weitzel (who also donated the portable restrooms for the event) is in the foreground, ANA president Katy Walum in the background:

And ANA’s Sylvia Rolle (in the red/white/blue hat) handled the ice-cream cart:

The view from Hamilton, of course, is a bonus:

Awesome way to start the 4th of July. (added Monday night) Here’s the video of pre-parade speeches – and singing!

P.S. Another kids’ parade is coming up – the Rotary Club of West Seattle-sponsored Kiddies’ Parade that comes down part of California SW just before the West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade on July 23rd – all welcome; info and sign-up form here.