Video/photos: West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade 2012

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB, unless otherwise credited)
Today’s West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade was truly super. And not just because of superheroes-for-the-day Jake Haupert and 4-year-old son Quinn. The weather was super. So was the turnout.

We of course caught the entire parade on video – about 16 minutes for all participants to pass our camera at the start of the route in North Admiral – but unscientifically, we’d agree with someone who declared the crowd “denser” this year:

(Video by WSB editor Tracy Record)
We noticed more spectators too, like Jeff Kusowski and canine companion Dewey:

The West Seattle Hi-Yu contingent, as always, led the parade, right after a Seattle Police motorcycle officer and Seattle Fire Engine 29:

From there, a steady stream of red-white-and-blue – from streamers to ribbons to balloons like the ones flying high as Gretchen Evans pushed, from left, Thomas, Jackson, and Waylon:

Patriotic face-painting, even:

That’s Tessa Gates, 10, watching as Cheryl Jones painted a flag on daughter Katy, also 10. Once the parade finished crossing California SW at Atlantic, it was game time at Hamilton Viewpoint Park – here’s 7-year-old Aidan Schreck jumping ahead of his fellow sack racers:

Wheelbarrow races, too:

Now, a few more scenes from the pre-parade festivities as well as the games afterward:

Here’s parade coordinator Sherri Chun, who made it all happen one more time:

(Final 5 photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
Sherri’s been looking for someone to take over starting next year. Another returnee this time: County Councilmember Joe McDermott:

(added) And for the first time in 4 years (by our count), the “singing pediatrician,” Dr. Roger Scholten, performed the national anthem:

Over at the park, the Admiral Neighborhood Association sold concessions again this year:

At left, above, with ANA president Katy Walum, is Dave Weitzel, whose Weitzel Construction is a parade sponsor each year to provide a very important component – the porta-potties! Also there from ANA, Sylvia Rolle, on popsicle patrol:

And we saw one young reveler who appeared to be ready for this weekend’s big event – the Seafair Pirates Landing on Alki this Saturday!

This was the fifth time we’ve covered the parade – the first was in 2008, and our video in that story verifies our perception that it’s grown a lot. West Seattle’s only Independence Day parade dates back a lot farther, though – this was the 18th annual parade, so ALL the kids in that first one would be adults by now! (Historic photos, anyone?)

3 Replies to "Video/photos: West Seattle 4th of July Kids' Parade 2012"

  • Sbone July 4, 2012 (7:35 pm)

    It was beautiful just before the parade started, we saw a bald eagle in the sky…breathe deep, remember why we are here…then captain america walked by.

  • lg July 4, 2012 (7:46 pm)

    thanks to the ANA for a wonderful parade. It’s really a great treat for the kids.

  • heylady July 5, 2012 (7:37 am)

    Thanks, TR and team for the great coverage of this wonderful event. And amen, Sbone for the reminder of how fortunate we are. We can march with our children down the street to celebrate freedom, not fight for it where we live. God bless our troops and America!

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