With the Pride Parade happening downtown today, it’s a good time for a reminder that the heart of West Seattle parade season is almost here – the two biggest parades of the year are happening on two of the next three Saturdays:

*4TH OF JULY KIDS’ PARADE: Bring the kids, bring the parents, bring the grandparents, bring the pet(s) … and BRING DIAPERS for WestSide Baby! This Independence Day tradition starts at 10 am next Saturday on the 4th – just show up at 44th/Sunset (map) in North Admiral to be part of the 21st annual parade, which winds along a few neighborhood streets before heading eastbound across California and ending at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, for festivities including sack racing – a great way to start the holiday. Show up as red-white-and-blue as you can!

The Kids’ Parade is coordinated again this year by Jackie Clough from Alki Party Treasures (WSB sponsor). Bring a few bucks to buy treats from the Admiral Neighborhood Association at the park.

*WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE: Saturday, July 18th, starting around 11 am at California/Lander and continuing south to California/Edmunds – find a spot anywhere along the way (although do note there’s a lot of construction south of Admiral, so a few blocks are out of commission for parade-watching). Besides the annual favorites from motorcycle drill teams to marching bands to the Hi-Yu float, you never know who you’ll see:

The Rotary Club of West Seattle presents the parade, along with the 11 am “Kiddie Parade” that precedes it in The Junction (show up at Genesee/California to be part of that!).