West Seattle Grand Parade 2014 previews: Hours away!

On the eve of the West Seattle Grand Parade (Saturday morning from California/Lander south to California/Edmunds, 10:30 am motorcycle drill teams’ start, 11 am full parade, preceded by the Float Dodger 5K at 9:30):

A NIGHT FOR PARADE PREPS: Potter Construction (WSB sponsor) shared the photo above as they worked on their entry in tomorrow’s parade. Potter is a parade sponsor, as are we (though we’ll be on the sidelines covering it).

ORVILLE RUMMEL WINNER FILL-IN: The parade-presenting Rotary Club of West Seattle says that Orville Rummel Trophy for Outstanding Community Service winner Earl Cruzen is too sick to ride in the parade, so his wife Adah Cruzen will be filling in, riding in a 1957 Cadillac convertible that’ll be the second car in the parade. Earl will be honored one more way – a proclamation from King County Executive Dow Constantine that Saturday will be Earl Cruzen Day in the county (click image to see full-size PDF):

As the proclamation notes, Earl Cruzen received a similar city honor in 2008.

TRAFFIC NOTES: We are asked every year, how early will the Float Dodger 5K/Parade route be closed on California? The true answer is, it varies, but don’t push it. Parade co-coordinator Jim Edwards says the Admiral to Hanford section of California closes when the first float shows up – could be as early as 7:30. From Hanford south to Edmunds, that closes when SPD enforcement assistance shows up, likely around 9 am. Side-street parking on 42nd, 44th, and 45th will have restrictions starting early in the morning. And as Jim warns, “Stay away from Walnut and Lander” because not only is it close to the parade staging zone, that side of Hiawatha Community Center will have loading under way for the Mediterranean Fantasy Festival.

PARADE OVERVIEW: More than 75 entries, with hundreds of people when you count the drill teams, community/school/church groups, etc. They include Seattle summertime-parade season’s most popular and award-winning entries such as the Chinese Community Girls’ Drill Team, All-City Band, and Seafair Pirates, as well as floats including West Seattle Hi-Yu and Marysville Strawberry Festival. New entries we haven’t mentioned yet include the Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby, which is still recruiting for its debut season.

(2013 WSB photo)
And late additions include Tracy Dart and her cancer-fighting Team Tracy (above), sponsored by Alki Party Treasures (WSB sponsor).

Go stake out a spot and have fun – and remember, the Kiddie Parade welcomes all kids, gathering at California/Genesee around 10:30 and heading south from there at 11, ahead of the rest of the parade. We’ll have traffic/bus-reroute reminders in our first morning preview, and parade coverage as it happens.

sam-c July 19, 2014 (6:50 am)

weather not looking good :(

WSB July 19, 2014 (7:29 am)

Sam, no, this is fairly typical for parade morning – and the showers are supposed to stay north :) *edit* though it’s drizzling as of 7:50 am. Hopefully that handles the entire 10 percent shower chance!

waitasec July 19, 2014 (8:34 am)

Aren’t there two Seafair events/parades today?

Almost forgot about the long-time traditional – Jubilee Day’s Parade – the White Center’s Parade – 2:30 PM today after a big car show.

WSB July 19, 2014 (8:43 am)

Jubilee Days info is on our partner site White Center Now:
.
http://whitecenternow.com/2014/07/19/white-center-jubilee-days-street-fair-car-show-parade-today

Vern Murray July 19, 2014 (12:22 pm)

I’d like to suggest the pirates leave their cannon at home next year. Without the siren our children were unable to anticipate the excessive noise and possible permant ear damage.

me July 19, 2014 (2:39 pm)

I like the cannon. Arrrr matie!! Lol

Kc July 20, 2014 (12:20 am)

How many years has the Seafair pirates been around, you hear from blocks away if you have sensitive ears bring ear plugs

WSB July 20, 2014 (1:55 am)

I believe what the commenter was referring to was the fact the cannon usually has a warning siren – chance to cover your ears – the sudden switchout meant no warning. It was a lot louder from the fill-in flatbed than from Moby Duck.

sam-c July 21, 2014 (2:21 pm)

But they did honk the horn before lighting the cannon. the cannon went off about 3 times when the pirates were near us. honked the horn, we covered our ears, and boom. admittedly, it went off a couple more times after it passed us, and we didn’t hear the warning beep from where we were. I know some kids don’t like it, mine doesn’t either, but seems like a lot of people do. I think it’s a fun tradition.

Sorry, comment time is over.