WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE: More of what you’ll see Saturday – where, when, who…

One more preview before the West Seattle Grand Parade arrives tomorrow (Saturday, July 22nd)!

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(WSB photo, Vancouver B.C. Motorcycle Drill Team in 2015 West Seattle Grand Parade)

WHERE TO WATCH: Really, anywhere along the route. If you watch in The Junction, you’ll see the Kiddie Parade (11 am, southbound from California/Genesee) and you might hear the announcements (California/Alaska) too. If you watch near the start of the route, there’s a shady slope area along the west side of Hiawatha, and if you arrive early, you can walk around and see “behind the scenes” as parade participants line up and practice, and parade coordinators do their work to be sure everyone’s where they should be. With motorcycles taking off around 10:30, here’s what to expect, where, at 11 am, if all is going according to plan, says parade co-coordinator Jim Edwards:

Genesee St: Kids Parade
Andover St: Seattle Police Motorcycle Drill Team
Hinds St: Vancouver Police Motorcycle Drill Team
Lander St: Honor Guard

There are still some construction sites between the Admiral and Alaska Junctions, and some sites where construction has wrapped up since last year. So scout your spot early.

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(West Seattle Grand Parade 2016 – photo by Don Brubeck)

DANCING DOWN THE ROUTE: Joyas Mestizas (file photo above) will be back.

BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOLS: They’ll be represented abundantly, including:

Pathfinder K-8 Unicycles (file photo above)
West Seattle High School Cheer Squad
Seattle Lutheran High School Cheer Squad
Westside School
Holy Rosary
Hope Lutheran
Kennedy High School Marching Band

AND … Scouts, skaters, Spud (2007 photo above – what will s/he wear THIS year?) … Pirates (remember they’re LOUD), politicians (we may have more county reps than city reps this year), and Potter Construction (parade and WSB sponsor – added, here are Karl and Gary, decorating the truck Friday night:)

… and many others we’re out of time for mentioning – you’ll just have to see for yourself! And remember that the Float Dodger 5K precedes the parade – not too late to be part of it (9:30 pm start from Hiawatha track, 2700 California SW).

PREVIOUS PARADE PREVIEWS (and coverage from the past decade) … scroll through this archive section.

P.S. Even if you’re not going to watch, or be in, the parade and/or 5K … heed the no-parking signs you’re seeing along and near the route … road closures and bus reroutes start early Saturday and should be over by 2.

P.P.S. The parade is presented by the West Seattle Rotary Club‘s Service Foundation. See our previous preview here.

11 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE: More of what you'll see Saturday - where, when, who..."

  • Sue July 21, 2017 (6:59 pm)

    Do you know what time the cross streets like Alaska and Charlestown will be closed? Wondering if we can drive across the route ok at 9am.

  • Beckyjo July 21, 2017 (8:17 pm)

    I’m wondering about the buses in the Admiral district ( From Admiral to the junction) # 128 & 50 Are they being rerouted? If so Where?

  • Gina July 21, 2017 (8:28 pm)

    The Metro reroutes start at 7 am off California for the 50 and 128. In the past California has been closed by 8 am.

  • Smoore July 21, 2017 (8:39 pm)

    To confirm, if all goes to plan we’ll be able to see kiddie parade at 11am at Geneese/California? Thanks for recap! 

    • WSB July 21, 2017 (8:46 pm)

      That’s where it starts from. Typically staging around Hotwire courtyard, so don’t be *north* of the intersection … be south.

  • MandyR July 21, 2017 (9:23 pm)

    Does anyone know about how long the parade lasts?

    • WSB July 21, 2017 (10:02 pm)

      Can vary widely. From the starting line, motorcycles to last parade units, can be ~2 hours.

  • WS Mom July 22, 2017 (5:57 am)

    We LOVE this parade. I hope it’s not the last one…..thank you Rotary Club for the sponsorship!!

  • Checkyersource July 22, 2017 (4:40 pm)

    Couldn’t that potato wear some brown or green pants? And different shoes!?

    C’mon, Spud- you want us to buy it, you gotta put in a little effort…!

    • WSB July 22, 2017 (6:26 pm)

      Well, Spud didn’t show up today after all, so the question of costume will remain forever unanswered. Until next year, maybe.

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