Just this morning, we brought you a look ahead to the big events still to come this summer in West Seattle and beyond, now that the fireworks have filled the skies and the Seafair Pirates have stormed the beach … One of the biggies, the July 19th West Seattle Grand Parade, presented by American Legion Post 160 (above, our 2007 photo of “Mr. Spud,” whom Post 160 promises will be back this year). And tonight we have the official news release, with word of the Grand Marshal, a special award, and much more:

West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade on Saturday, July 19 at 11 am

Princesses, Pirates, Bands, Clowns and Drill Teams – it’s parade time again!

The American Legion Post #160 will again sponsor the Grand Parade starting at 11 am on Saturday, July 19. The parade proceeds south along California Ave SW from SW Lander to SW Edmunds.

The 2008 Grand Parade marks the 75th parade sponsored by the West Seattle American Legion. The West Seattle parade is the oldest in Seattle, predating Seafair by eighteen years. The American Legion Grand Parade over the years has always celebrated the West Seattle community and the diversity and spirit of the Seattle neighborhoods and the Pacific Northwest.

The Parade Grand Marshal this year is United States Coast Guard Rear Admiral (Upper Half) John P Currier.

Rear Admiral (Upper Half) John P. Currier (here’s his bio) is the Commander of the 13th Coast Guard District, which covers the Pacific Northwest – Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho (yes, there is actually a Coast Guard station in Montana – Loran Station Havre – but none in Idaho). He will be accompanied by his wife Mary Jane.

Our Orville Rummel Community Service Award this year is given to Tim St. Clair.

Tim St. Clair was a reporter for the West Seattle Herald and Robinson Newspapers for more than twenty years. He passed away last February. During his life he was a great supporter of the West Seattle community, Hi-Yu, and the American Legion Grand Parade. Tim was not the kind of person who would let us give him this award in the past, so we honor and miss him in his passing.

A note about the parade start – although the Grand Parade starts at 11 am from California and SW Lander, we will likely start the Seattle Police Motorcycle Drill Team earlier – about 10:30. The idea is that the main parade will reach the end of West Seattle Rotary Club’s Kiddie Parade at about the same time , so there won’t be a big gap between the end of one and the start of the other. The West Seattle Rotary Club’s Kiddie Parade lines up at 42nd SW and Genesee, and proceeds down California Ave the three blocks to SW Edmunds. Contact the West Seattle Rotary Club for more information.

Also scheduled to perform at the parade are:

Bands:

Joining our fabulous Kennedy High School and Seattle Schools All-City Marching Bands will be the Calgary Roundup Band from Canada.

Drill Teams:

The beauty and majesty of the Chinese Community Girls Drill Team, The Dolls, and the Baby Dolls

Motorcycles:

The precision of the Seattle Police Motorcycle Drill Team. Also, the speed and wow factor that is the Vancouver (Canada) Police Motorcycle Drill Team. (This is one of the few parades in Seattle where you can see them!) [WSB pix from last year, here]

Clowns & Pirates:

The zaniness that is the Seattle Seafair Clowns, and the popular and scary Seafair Pirates. Also, performances from the Keystone Kops and Lake City Vigilantes, Ronald McDonald, and Burien Hi-Liners.

Visiting Royalty

Our very own West Seattle Hi-Yu princesses will be joined by the royal court from the Marysville Strawberry Festival, Port Orchard Fathoms of Fun, and the Seattle Seafair princesses.

Community and Commercial

Bill Ayers 1942 American La France Fire Engine
WWII/Korean War Veterans Art & Gloria Peters
Last Resort Fire Department
Our Lady of Guadalupe School
West Seattle Senior Center
Hope Lutheran Church Gospel Outreach & Cheer Squad
Pencil Me In for Kids
Somewhere in Time, Unlimited
Southwest Athletic Club
West Seattle Yacht Club
WS Friend to Friend Volunteer program
Cub Scout Pack 289
Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc
Skate Church
WestSide Baby
Furry Faces Foundation
Holy Rosary West Fest
Red Hat Follies ‘Stewed Tomatoes’
Cub Scout Pack 285
Luna Park Café
PCC Natural Markets’ Kids Picks Mobile
Pink Toe Truck
Viking Bank
West Seattle Herald
Alki Spud Fish & Ships Mascot – Mr. Spud
Chief Sealth High School Cheer Squad
First Student Bus

Other entries include the one WSB is helping coordinate (and will march with), the West Seattle Volunteers Grand Parade Marching Unit, and as we’ve mentioned a few times already, if you’re not already in the parade, but you’d like to be, and you do/have done some kind of volunteer work – from baking cookies for your kid’s school to pulling weeds at your neighborhood park and beyond — here’s how to join the group (incentive involved too!).