(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB, unless otherwise credited)
Today’s West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade was truly super. And not just because of superheroes-for-the-day Jake Haupert and 4-year-old son Quinn. The weather was super. So was the turnout.
We of course caught the entire parade on video – about 16 minutes for all participants to pass our camera at the start of the route in North Admiral – but unscientifically, we’d agree with someone who declared the crowd “denser” this year:
(Video by WSB editor Tracy Record)
We noticed more spectators too, like Jeff Kusowski and canine companion Dewey:
The West Seattle Hi-Yu contingent, as always, led the parade, right after a Seattle Police motorcycle officer and Seattle Fire Engine 29:
From there, a steady stream of red-white-and-blue – from streamers to ribbons to balloons like the ones flying high as Gretchen Evans pushed, from left, Thomas, Jackson, and Waylon:
Patriotic face-painting, even:
That’s Tessa Gates, 10, watching as Cheryl Jones painted a flag on daughter Katy, also 10. Once the parade finished crossing California SW at Atlantic, it was game time at Hamilton Viewpoint Park – here’s 7-year-old Aidan Schreck jumping ahead of his fellow sack racers:
Wheelbarrow races, too:
Now, a few more scenes from the pre-parade festivities as well as the games afterward:
Here’s parade coordinator Sherri Chun, who made it all happen one more time:
(Final 5 photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
Sherri’s been looking for someone to take over starting next year. Another returnee this time: County Councilmember Joe McDermott:
(added) And for the first time in 4 years (by our count), the “singing pediatrician,” Dr. Roger Scholten, performed the national anthem:
Over at the park, the Admiral Neighborhood Association sold concessions again this year:
At left, above, with ANA president Katy Walum, is Dave Weitzel, whose Weitzel Construction is a parade sponsor each year to provide a very important component – the porta-potties! Also there from ANA, Sylvia Rolle, on popsicle patrol:
And we saw one young reveler who appeared to be ready for this weekend’s big event – the Seafair Pirates Landing on Alki this Saturday!
This was the fifth time we’ve covered the parade – the first was in 2008, and our video in that story verifies our perception that it’s grown a lot. West Seattle’s only Independence Day parade dates back a lot farther, though – this was the 18th annual parade, so ALL the kids in that first one would be adults by now! (Historic photos, anyone?)
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