West Seattle Grand Parade 2013, report #1: Getting ready

8:48 AM: The hundreds of people who’ll be part of the 70-plus entries in today’s West Seattle Grand Parade are getting ready – including West Seattle Hi-Yu volunteers accompanying this year’s float, themed “Alki Deep,” photographed a few minutes ago in the staging area. More parade-prep coverage to come; the parade starts at 11 am, heading south on California from Lander to Edmunds (see the route here; see traffic/bus changes here).
9:22 AM: At the Float Dodger 5K starting line (9:45 am, California/Charlestown), signs of the times:

Note that we’ll be sharing photos via Instagram before, during, and after – see our feed here. Another one – back at the parade’s starting line, co-coordinator Jim Edwards:

A bit of drizzle amid the fog a few minutes ago – but that seems to have stopped (no, wait, there it is again). Think sun – but bring a jacket to start off with!

ADDED 5:35 PM: A few more pre-parade scenes – featuring the Seafair Pirates, who once again came to Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) for breakfast:

This year’s Captain Kidd – West Seattleite Rusty Harper – shared a table with Hi-Yu royalty:

But before the parade – Moby Duck needed a fill-up, and they went over to Admiral (formerly Barnecut’s) Shell:

Our parade coverage, from today and earlier, is all archived here.

J July 20, 2013 (9:16 am)

What time do you need to be on the parade route to snag a good seat?

WSB July 20, 2013 (9:19 am)

In The Junction and near the start, earlier than in the middle. Since it’s drizzling at the moment, I think the earlybirds will be later than usual, so all bets are off. I’d be in place by 10 but when I was a spectator, I was always nervous about getting a seat, and usually didn’t have to be … Anyone else with advice?

Joel Oltyan July 20, 2013 (10:20 am)

FYI they have ticketed every car on the side streets where they are setting up who has parked on the grass. We’ve parked on the grass and moved our cars to accommodate a great parader very year without incident, and now the city has decided to try and make money off us too. Way to ruin a great day Seattle.