A new American flag flies over the Alki Masonic Lodge in The Junction this afternoon, after the annual retiring-of-the-flag ceremony, with assistance from VFW reps who first lowered the lodge’s old flag:

Next, they carefully folded the old flag:

Then they presented it to the lodge’s leader, Worshipful Master Delton Johnson:

As part of the ceremony, Mary Beasley spoke about the flag’s history – now 64 years for this configuration of the Stars and Stripes:

The ceremony was followed by a free community picnic lunch (as noted in our daily highlight list).

(Early morning fishing at Lincoln Park, photographed by Lisa Ruiz)

Good morning! Holiday notes:

TRANSIT/TRAFFIC

–Metro buses are running on a Sunday schedule
–West Seattle Water Taxi is also on a Sunday schedule
–Sound Transit buses and light rail are on Sunday schedules too
-If you’re going to an area of the city with pay-station street parking, you don’t have to pay today
-Check local traffic cams here, citywide cams here

HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT

Last day of the season for city outdoor aquatic facilities – After today, city-run wading pools, sprayparks, and outdoor pools are all closed until next year – so it’s your last day for Colman Pool, open noon-7 pm, and Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm. (Lincoln Park’s wading pool ended its season early because of plumbing trouble.)

Art on the Corner – artist’s home-studio sale benefiting food banks, 8 am-3 pm at 39th/Holden

Mural-painting at Lafayette Elementary – help is welcome again today; go here to sign up for slot(s) between 10 am and 4 pm at 2645 California SW

Flag Ceremony and Community Picnic – public is welcome at Alki Masonic Lodge‘s annual event, starting with flag-dedication ceremony at noon at 40th/Edmunds

Pinball Tournament – not too late to register for fundraising tournament at Admiral Pub (2305 California SW), starting at noon – full details on the tournament website

NOT HAPPENING TODAY

-Banking (holiday)
-U.S. Postal Service (holiday)
-Libraries (closed)
-Many Seattle Parks facilities (here’s the list)
-City Council briefing meeting (they’re back from 2-week end-of-summer break tomorrow)

WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET

Partly sunny, high in the low 70s. Sunrise will be at 6:30 am, sunset at 7:46 pm.

9:13 AM UPDATE: The showers were not in the forecast when we published this but the NWS has since updated to mention “slight chance of thunderstorms this morning.” They’re still saying it’ll be partly sunny this afternoon.

By our unofficial measure, this was the biggest West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade yet – from the lead SPD motorcycle officers to the last stragglers, participants took more than 19 and a half minutes to pass our camera, about a minute past the previous record, 2019. So we begin with our unedited full-parade video:

We recorded from about a block west of the official gathering spot at 44th/Sunset, where the brief pre-parade program included the National Anthem, sung by Eliza Cooper from Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor):

Pre-parade speeches usually include a West Seattle-residing elected official, and this year it was District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka, who told the crowd he and his wife and their three kids have participated before:

Megan Erb, who organizes the parade for the Admiral Neighborhood Association, had a few words too, including gratitude for parade sponsors:

On with the parade, whose red-white-and-blue-decked participants strolled and rolled along the traditional North Admiral route on the way to nearby Hamilton Viewpoint Park for fun and food:

Councilmember Saka wasn’t the only West Seattle elected official in the parade – we spotted State House Rep. Emily Alvarado, too:

Among other sightings, we noticed a few more parading canines than in past years:

Traffic stopped on California at Atlantic so paraders could cross over to the post-parade park fun:

Sack racing emceed by ANA president Joanie Jacobs had kid and adult groups:

Parade sponsors with activity tables/booths included Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care (WSB sponsor):

Biggest food lineup ever! Among the vendors, Triangle-based Seattle Sorbets:

SPD and SFD were at the park too, and kids got to check out Admiral-based Engine 29, which is traditionally one of the few motorized vehicles in the parade:

The parade was founded by a group of Holy Rosary moms 30 years ago; it’s gone through some coordination changes over the past decade, and this is the first year it’s been an official Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented event. ANA of course had a table at the park too – with info on what’s still to come this summer (three Admiral Music in the Parks concerts starting July 18, the Admiral Funktion block party in August).

Sponsorships matter big time to cover cost of everything from street-use permits to traffic control to portable toilets (longtime WSB sponsor Potter Construction provided those this year!) – if your business or organization can help out next year, contact the ANA!

(WSB photo, Delridge/Andover flag, photographed on Flag Day last month)

As usual, we start the holiday with a list of potentially helpful information:

TRANSIT/TRANSPORTATION

Metro buses – Sunday schedules with extra late-night service
Water Taxi – West Seattle route is on a Sunday schedule today; Vashon route is on regular weekday schedule
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth on holiday schedule
Sound Transit – Here’s the holiday plan
Parking – No charge for street parking in neighborhoods where the city charges for it
Traffic cameras – Here’s the citywide map; here’s our West Seattle-relevant page

WHAT’S HAPPENING/NOT HAPPENING

West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade – Starts at 10 am – details in our preview. (44th/Sunset)

Art on the Corner – 8 am-3 pm, artist Bonnie Bennedsen (featured here last year) sells her work at 39th/Holden to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank.

Avalon Glassworks’ Art-Glass Sale – 10 am-2 pm, annual holiday sale. (2914 SW Avalon Way)

Low-low tide – Out to -2.8 feet at 10:22 am; see when and where to find Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists, here.

Highland Park Corner Store cookout – 4-8 pm, HPCS is grilling up burgers and veggie burgers, with outdoor seating, the weekly wine tasting (5 pm), ice cream, more. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)

WHAT’S OPEN/CLOSED

Aquatics – Highland Park Spraypark (11 am-8 pm), Delridge and Hiawatha (12 pm-5:30 pm) and Lincoln Park wading pools (12 pm-7 pm), and Colman Pool (12 pm-7 pm) are all open today.

Other Seattle Parks facilities – here’s the closed/open list

Seattle Public Library – All locations closed

Businesses – We don’t have a list but will add anyone who sends word if they’re open, closed or changing hours. Comment below or text us (206-293-6302)!

Post Offices and banks – closed

WATCHING THE OFFICIAL FIREWORKS SHOW: The Seafair Fourth of July show is over Lake Union, but much of it is usually partly visible from north-to-northeast-facing West Seattle, and crowds generally gather along Harbor Avenue, at the Admiral Way Viewpoint, and certain street-end overlooks. They’ll be broadcast on KONG.

OTHER FIREWORKS YOU MIGHT SEE FROM HERE: If you’re in southwest West Seattle with a view toward mid-Vashon Island, tonight’s fireworks show there will be over Quartermaster Harbor.

LOST/FOUND PET?

Furry friends might run off on the Fourth if fireworks spook them. If you need it, WSB has long had the only all-West Seattle lost/found-pets webpage – email or text info/pic (with your contact #), westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302.

(WSB file photo)

Just 13 hours to go untili the West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. It’s actually a two-part event – first the parade, leaving from 44th/Sunset in North Admiral at 10 am, ending at Hamilton Viewpoint Park for a celebration with sack races, activity tables/booths, and food/treat trucks/pop-ups (bring $ for those – everything else is free). For details, see the preview we published Tuesday; one addition since then, according to parade coordinator Megan Erb – Admiral’s own Arthur’s has joined the food lineup. Here’s one more look at the route map:

Police will stop traffic on California SW at SW Atlantic as the parade crosses. There will also be more pedestrian traffic than usual in the area as families leave the park when they’re ready (the activities usually wrap up by noon). WSB is one of the parade’s community co-sponsors – see you there!

(Reader photo of fireworks debris collected post-Fourth at Walt Hundley Playfield park)

The annual announcement is just in – Seattle Parks will turn on the lighting at fields around the city for two nights in hopes of discouraging fireworks use. The list includes the same four as last year – two of which have since received new turf:

Delridge Playfield, 4458 Delridge Way SW
Hiawatha Playfield, 2700 California Ave. SW
Walt Hundley Playfield, 6920 34th Ave. SW
West Seattle Stadium, 4432 35th Ave. SW

Parks’ announcement says the lights at those fields (and most others on its list) will be on from “approximately” 9 pm Wednesday and Thursday (July 3-4) nights and turned off at 11 pm, with roving security then monitoring fields until 2 am. The list does not include Seattle Public Schools-owned fields (which include West Seattle’s Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex and Madison Middle School); the district has historically just had roving security monitoring its fields.

(WSB photo, July 2023)

Before the barbecue – before the beach – Independence Day begins with the West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade. We have more details today of what’s happening before and after the parade, thanks to Megan Erb, who’s organizing the parade again this year for the Admiral Neighborhood Association.

As always, the parade starts from 44th/Sunset shortly after 10 am. Eliza Cooper will sing the anthem, on behalf of Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor), and you’ll hear words of welcome from organizer Megan as well as ANA president Joanie Jacobs and City Councilmember Rob Saka. Again, here’s the parade route, proceeding west and then east to Hamilton Viewpoint Park (to be in it, just show up! also, please avoid parking oon the parade route):

If you are traveling in the area Thursday morning, note that traffic on California Avenue SW will be stopped by officers at SW Atlantic as the parade crosses. At the park, you’ll find free post-parade fun – including sack races by age groups, starting with 3-year-olds (there’s usually a grownup round too).

Activity booth/table providers (parade co-sponsors):

–Mode Music, Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care (WSB sponsor), South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools, Bridge School Cooperative Elementary, Holy Rosary School, Dragonfly Yoga & Pilates, Mathnasium, Wicked Rae’s Art Studio, Admiral Neighborhood Association

Plus food/treat trucks/carts.

– Lil’ J’s Super Dawgs, West Seattle Grounds, Seattle Sorbets, NWTXBBQ, LaLa’s Lemonade

At the park for up-close visits:

– SFD, SPD vehicles

Also at Hamilton Viewpoint: Four portable restrooms thanks to Potter Construction (WSB sponsor). The post-parade festivities usually wrap up at the park around noon, and it’s on with the rest of the holiday!

Before we get to today’s what’s-happening list, a quick reminder that we are now two weeks away from the big, free, fun event that starts Independence Day celebrations on the peninsula, the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade. It’s now presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, and organizer Megan Erb sent this reminder of the route:

The parade officially starts at 10 am from Sunset and 44th, where you can start gathering at 9:30 am. The parade will be preceded by the National Anthem, with a singer from Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor), and a brief welcome from City Councilmember Rob Saka. Then everyone heads west/southwest on the route shown above, which loops back to cross California Avenue SW on the way to end at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, where you’ll find games and food trucks, highlighted by the traditional sack races. This is a non-motorized parade except for the Seattle Fire engine and classic pickup truck at the start – human-powered wheels are welcome. The parade is in its second quarter-century!

(WSB photo, 2023 parade)

Just one month until Independence Day … and the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade, a quarter-century tradition. Megan Erb is coordinating it again this year, now under the umbrella of the Admiral Neighborhood Association, and she sent us this update:

We’re one month away from one of the biggest and possibly cutest West Seattle events of the year! The West Seattle 4th of July Kids Parade takes place on Thursday, July 4, 10 a.m. at the corner of Sunset Ave. and 44th Ave SW. Start planning your festive decorations for your bike, wagon, scooter, stroller, and yourself and kiddos! West Seattle families are the parade as we march through the North Admiral neighborhood to Hamilton Viewpoint Park. At the park, you’ll find booths full of kids’ activities, food trucks, coffee stands, and our famous coffee-bean-sack races! Our local fire department truck and police officers will be on hand with truck tours, stickers, and more!

This year the event is hosted by the Admiral Neighborhood Association (ANA), with support from Mode Music Studios, Potter Construction, Mathnasium, South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools, Holy Rosary School, Neighborhood Naturopathic, Fit4Mom West Seattle, West Seattle Food Bank, West Seattle Blog, and three new sponsors this year: Wicked Rae’s Art Studio, Dragonfly Yoga Pilates Dance, and Brian M. Peters Design. Parade attendees can get food and coffee from JJ Super Dawgs and West Seattle Grounds! Festive 4th of July swag will be handed out at the beginning of the parade thanks to Holy Rosary School, Neghborhood Naturopathic, and South Seattle college Cooperative Preschool.

To learn more about the event, including how to sponsor a kids’ activity table or volunteer for the event, visit the ANA’s West Seattle 4th of July Kids Parade webpage or contact info@connecttoadmiral.org.

If you’re new – here’s our coverage of last year, including video of all participants as the parade began.

(WSB photos)

Flags are flying along California SW in the heart of The Junction today, thanks to volunteers spanning a wide age range.

The Junction Association recruits volunteers for occasions like this; they gathered this morning to put the flags in place, and will be back at the end of the day to remove them.

If you notice that some of the flags – like the one in that photo – look new, good eye; The Junction says generous donors helped cover the cost of some replacements recently.

P.S. If you’re interested in joining The Junction’s volunteer ranks for future occasions, go here!

(Juvenile Bald Eagles, photographed this week by James Tilley)

Here’s info you might find useful on this Memorial Day Monday:

TRANSIT

Metro: Sunday schedule

West Seattle Water Taxi and its shuttles: Sunday schedule

Washington State Ferries: No announced changes

Sound Transit: Schedule changes here

Other services: See a list here

TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Our page highlighting local cameras is here

SDOT’s map with cameras and alerts from around the city is here

CLOSURES/CHANGES

Most Seattle Parks facilities

Seattle Public Library facilities

Schools

Government offices

Banks

USPS holiday

No charge for street parking in Seattle neighborhoods with city pay stations

OPEN

Highland Park Spraypark (11 am-8 pm, 1100 SW Cloverdale)

Colman Pool (noon-7 pm, on Lincoln Park shore, session schedule here)

SPECIAL EVENTS

*American Legion poppies will be available outside Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska) again today, by donation

*For the first time since 2019, a Memorial Day remembrance will be held at Forest Lawn (6701 30th SW), 2 pm, all welcome

*Volunteer beach naturalists will be at Constellation Park (63rd/Beach) and Lincoln Park, 12:15 pm-3:15 pm, for low-low tide (-2.4 feet at 2:19 pm)

Anything else we should know/let others know about? Texting’s the best way to reach us today – 206-293-6302 – thank you!

Flags are flying over veterans’ graves at Forest Lawn Cemetery (6701 30th SW), where West Seattle’s traditional Memorial Day remembrance returns tomorrow for the first time since 2019, described as “a special way to honor and remember our fallen heroes.” We’re reminding you in case you missed our announcement last Monday. All are welcome for the ceremony, which will feature speakers and music. Look for the canopy.

(Photo by James Tilley – ‘Bey the Bald Eagle in a very focused dive’)

6:01 AM: Good morning and welcome to Monday, February 19th, Presidents Day. Here’s what you should know:

TRANSPORTATION

Transit – No Water Taxi service today; Metro is on a regular weekday schedule; no planned state-ferry changes; here’s the Sound Transit holiday plan

Traffic cameras – Here’s our page of West Seattle-relevant cameras; the citywide map is here

Parking – No charge today for pay-station spaces on city streets in neighborhoods with them

OTHER SERVICES

Schools – Closed

Libraries – Closed

Parks facilities – Here’s what’s closed and what’s open

Mail – Holiday for most USPS facilities/services

Banks – Holiday

WEATHER

Mostly cloudy, chance of rain, high in the low 50s.

EVENTS

Check the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – a highlight for tonight is 7 pm comedy at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way) – check here to see if any tickets are left.

If you see news – including traffic trouble – please call or text 206-293-6302 when you can do so safely – thank you!

It’s almost Lunar New Year, and our West Seattle Event Calendar has three listings for Year of the Dragon celebrations open to all:

WSHS, FRIDAY NIGHT: The photo above is from West Seattle High School students who are organizing a Lunar New Year celebration for tomorrow night (Friday, February 9), 7-8:30 pm. Festivities will include potluck-style food and a student fashion show, and the students say, “All are welcome!”

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER, SATURDAY AFTERNOON: A lion dance and flag-raising are part of what’s planned at the Vietnamese Cultural Center of West Seattle (2236 SW Orchard), 1-3 pm Saturday (February 10), and you’re invited.

SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN, FEBRUARY 24: Then in two weeks, the Seattle Chinese Garden on the north side of the South Seattle College parking lot (6000 16th SW) celebrates Lunar New Year with a Lantern Festival, 11 am-3 pm Saturday, February 24. See the schedule here.