West Seattle Grand Parade countdown: Less than 36 hours away!

If this is your second or third summer as a WSB’er, you know we are huge fans of the West Seattle Grand Parade, presented during the Hi-Yu Festival by American Legion Post 160 (many call it the Hi-Yu Parade but it’s been pointed out that while Hi-Yu participates, the festival does not PRESENT it, the Post does). We’re now just a day and a half away and thought we’d put together some parade notes of interest. First, the route – California and Lander (Admiral District) to California/Edmunds (The Junction); the purple marker denotes the start of the Kiddies’ Parade at California/Genesee (which also continues to Edmunds):


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The Kiddies’ Parade is presented by the Rotary Club of West Seattle (all kids welcome to participate; here’s the flyer with details) and starts at 10:30 am – here’s one entry from last year:

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The Grand Parade follows immediately after the Kiddies’ Parade. Next, if you missed it the first time around, here’s the list of parade highlights, as announced by parade organizers (and we’ve just learned of some late additions, including a Charlestown Cafe entry!). Among the many star attractions: If you thought the Seafair Pirates were a blast on the beach, wait till you hear their cannon fire echo down California Ave!

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That’s just one of the photos we published last year. You’ll find the rest in this 2007 post and the links with which it ends – pointing you to all installments of our parade coverage from last summer. This year’s parade has about 70 entries (including the one we’re helping coordinate; you’re invited to be part of it) – and even if you aren’t so sure you’re “the parade type,” it’s another occasion for West Side Pride, since this is the oldest community parade in Seattle. Tomorrow, the countdown continues (as do the previews of other weekend excitement, including the first “Movies on the Wall” showing on Saturday night — “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”).

4 Replies to "West Seattle Grand Parade countdown: Less than 36 hours away!"

  • RobertSeattle July 18, 2008 (7:04 am)

    When does the main parade start at Admiral?

  • changingtimes July 18, 2008 (7:08 am)

    thanks i was wondering the same thing!!!

  • Gina July 18, 2008 (8:31 am)

    The parade start at Admiral–The first group with the flag usually starts out near the announced start time of 11. Then there is a huge gap (about 15 or 20 minutes) so that the motorcycle drill teams have plenty of space. The crowd always gets pretty restless during that time because they can’t figure out what it taking so long.

    That is my observation over the years.

  • WSB July 18, 2008 (8:58 am)

    There may be a little less of a gap this year. I have more parade info than usual since we are entering the parade as well as covering it and somewhere along the line somebody noted they are going to try to time it so there’s not as much of a gap. Will see if I can check that with parade management. Meantime, yes, the listed start @ California/Lander is 11 am, listed start for kids’ parade @ California/Genesee (shorter route) is 10:30.

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