REPORT #2: See the 2015 West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade, start to finish!

(WSB video/photos unless otherwise credited)
Every year we record the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade, start to finish – and this year was the longest! The hotter-than-normal temperature didn’t dissuade hundreds of kids and their families from walking and rolling along the route – as you can see above. Before the half-mile stroll through North Admiral, paraders were treated to the national anthem as sung again this year by Leilani Nitkey:

At the end, that’s this year’s parade emcee Josh Sutton from the West Seattle YMCA and parade coordinator Jackie Clough from Alki Party Treasures (APT and the Y are both WSB sponsors). Hi-Yu royalty spoke briefly – mentioning upcoming events including the Concert in the Park at Hiawatha with the West Seattle Big Band (7 pm Tuesday, July 14th) – and then carried the banner as the parade began:

The goal for many: Be as red, white, and blue as you can!

This also was definitely an occasion for shades:

Even better, a parade in which it was cool to have your OWN shade:

Helmets were fashionable as well:

(Thanks to Marilyn for that photo)
For some, the parade was so relaxing, a nap was in order:

Others bravely marched along:

You could get a sense of the parade’s scale, looking along the final leg of the route leading to Hamilton Viewpoint Park:

A cooling view of Elliott Bay awaited:

(Thanks to Laura Frampton for that photo)
In the park, the classic sack races awaited:

Fun even for some of those who took a tumble:

Coordinator Jackie had guest emcees for the races – we showed you two in our first report. Another community leader who helped out, Merica Whitehall from Nature Consortium (WSB sponsor):

Seattle Fire‘s Engine 29 was there for mini-tours, after helping lead the parade:

And so were Seattle Police officers:

Concessions were provided by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, which did a booming business:

We’ll mention it one more time – this is a community-presented parade, and the costs for insurance, among other things, are considerable; if you can chip in to help cover the costs (including helping make sure the parade returns next year), you can do it online.

(And if your family had fun being part of the parade – you might consider joining in the West Seattle Rotary-presented Kiddie Parade before the West Seattle Grand Parade in two weeks; meet at California/Genesee at 11 am Saturday, July 18th.)

3 Replies to "REPORT #2: See the 2015 West Seattle 4th of July Kids' Parade, start to finish!"

  • Evergreen July 5, 2015 (8:20 am)

    We remember Leilani from karate. She’s such a beautifully fierce and smart gal, the world is her oyster. Go Leilani!

  • WSince86 July 5, 2015 (9:56 am)

    Such great pictures! Looks like everyone was having a great time. THIS is what the 4th is all about!!

  • anonyme July 6, 2015 (9:36 am)

    A lovely example of what a joyful, exuberant celebration of the Fourth of July should look like – no explosives necessary.

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