West Seattle Grand Parade countdown: More of who you’ll see

(WSB file photo: West Seattle Grand Parade spectators)
Continuing our countdown to Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade, presented by the Rotary Club of West Seattle – a few more notes:

NEIGHBORHOODS ON THE MARCH: For the first time we can remember, an organized group of reps from community councils will be marching in the parade. At tonight’s Morgan Community Association meeting, MoCA’s Cindi Barker showed off the bright safety-yellow/green T-shirts at least some of them will be wearing, so you can’t miss them.

(WSB file photo: VPD motorcycle drill team)
REMEMBER, THE MOTORCYCLES START EARLY: While the official parade start time is 11 am at California/Lander, the motorcycle drill teams – Seattle Police and then Vancouver (BC) Police – launch up to half an hour earlier, so stake out your parade-route spot in plenty of time.

NEW THIS YEAR: ‘VEGAS’ MOST WANTED’ DRILL TEAM: Among the parade entries making their debut, a drill team/drum squad called Vegas’ Most Wanted. (As far as we can tell, they really are from Las Vegas!)

MAYOR JOINING THE PARADE: Last year, he walked with the 34th District Democrats as a candidate; this year, former West Seattleite Ed Murray will be in the Grand Parade as mayor.

If you missed our previous reports – retired Col. Bruce Crandall, Medal of Honor recipient, is this year’s Grand Marshal; Earl Cruzen, longtime community advocate/volunteer, is the Orville Rummel Trophy recipient; and West Seattle-residing personality Marty Riemer will emcee the parade for the first time – to hear him, stake out a spot near California/Alaska.

That’s also a good place to watch the Kiddie Parade, which starts from California/Genesee at 11 am while the southern part of the parade zone is awaiting everything else. And the Float Dodger 5K run kicks off the entire morning, leaving California/Charlestown at about 9:30. The countdown continues tomorrow …

Cindi Barker July 16, 2014 (11:38 pm)

If anyone would like to be in the parade, just contact your community association, we would love to have you and your kids join us! It’s all about community. Not sure which group to contact, or who to call? Drop me a line and I’ll get you connected. cbarker@qwest.net
And if you live in the Morgan Junction area, let me know and I will get you one of those snappy bright-green shirts to wear as you march with us.

Band Geek Mafia July 17, 2014 (7:41 am)

Don’t forget the bands! We always have great bands show up for this parade, including the Seattle Schools All City Band and the Jr. All City band!

Those ACB kids march with the Jr. Band, run back to the start and march the entire parade, then head over to another parade in Olympia! They sound fantastic and are a fun group to watch! Enjoy the show!!

WSB July 17, 2014 (8:50 am)

Oh, of course. They will be in one of today’s countdowns :) Sumner will be in the parade this year, along with ACB and Kennedy HS. And for marching-band megafans, while we haven’t received a formal announcement, it appears the Band Jam is happening again this year at SWAC on Torchlight Parade Eve … I’ve happened onto a couple mentions. – TR

squareeyes July 17, 2014 (9:25 am)

Would like to know how much of California Ave will be blocked off and the hours affected.

WSB July 17, 2014 (9:30 am)

Same as every year, the route mentioned above – California just south of Admiral, to Edmunds. Parade staging starts fairly early, I don’t have exact time but can ask. Length can vary depending on the speed but it’s usually all clear by 1:30 pm.

JanS July 17, 2014 (12:08 pm)

living at just about ground zero, from past years I would say staging begins around 9am…need to go to Safeway? Go another time – lol…

sam-c July 17, 2014 (12:27 pm)

band jam- thanks for the heads up! i will put it on my calendar. i was so bummed to have missed it last time. so that would be july 25th then? do you know what time?

Cath July 17, 2014 (1:35 pm)

Band Jam will be held at SWAC this year, on Friday July 25th. It will start at 6:30pm. We will be sending out more information to the blog in the next few days.

WSB July 17, 2014 (3:13 pm)

Thanks, I happened onto it on the ACB site, where it’s accurate on the calendar page but the “band jam” page still has last year’s info. The sooner the info the better – we ask people to send calendar announcements at least a week in advance – longer than that, and prospective attendees have made other plans. I’d love to publish something by tomorrow afternoon, when people check out for the weekend.

Katmandu July 17, 2014 (10:31 pm)

Also live right near ground zero. “No parking” signs up throughout all the neighborhoods. Any suggestions on where to park my car??

Tricia July 18, 2014 (4:53 pm)

I’m confused, does the kiddie parade start at 10:30 or 11? This post says 11, but this calendar says 10:30: http://www.westseattlehiyu.com/events-schedule Maybe you know? Thanks!

WSB July 18, 2014 (5:08 pm)

Tricia – 10:30 is staging time, so be at California/Genesee then if you want to participate. 11 o’clock is when paraders set off down the street.I hope to have one more detailed parade preview before the night’s out – or at the very latest, early early Saturday morning.

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