(WSB photos)
When two rounds of voting were over at tonight’s West Seattle Hi-Yu meeting – two proposed designs for this year’s parade float were tied. In a subsequent vote, it was decided that the two designs – both with marine elements – will be combined, with the wording of the official theme/slogan to be worked out later.

The two winning themes were proposed by the two current Hi-Yu queens – Senior Court Queen Lorelei McFadden sketched out a float celebrating local nature and sustainability – even featuring one of Puget Sound’s iconic orcas:

Toward the point of “sustainability,” she pitched the fact that the theme could reuse much of the basic decor from last year’s float. In the spirit of a “Save Our Sound” type of theme, it will be incorporated with elements of Junior Court Queen Emily Cain‘s design, which was anchored by a ferryboat:

Other designs proposed tonight by royalty past and present included a day at Alki Beach, a night at the movies, tropical rainforests, Seattle landmarks including Pike Place Market and the International District, and flowers.

Turning the design into reality is an all-volunteer effort that happens between now and late spring, when the float hits the road for a tour of parades starting in Sequim. Hi-Yu’s new president Jay Murray suggested tonight that Hi-Yu might even be able to make it into the Daffodil Parade in Pierce County this year – an event that moves between four communities over the course of one day in April – by bringing back the 2014 design (an Alice in Wonderland Tea Party theme that also highlighted Hi-Yu’s 80th anniversary).

The float is seen here in its home neighborhood every year during the Rotary Club of West Seattle-sponsored Grand Parade, which is on the Hi-Yu master 2015 schedule – reviewed tonight – for July 18th (though the date isn’t final until parade organizers officially announce it later in the year).

Hi-Yu is also hoping this year to bring back what used to be a summertime tradition, the All-West Seattle Picnic in Lincoln Park. That would likely be in August, sometime after the Hi-Yu float’s biggest appearance of the summer, the Seafair Torchlight Parade (July 25th this year, according to the Hi-Yu schedule grid).

More than 20 people attended tonight’s meeting, from current and past organization leaders to new members, and Hi-Yu is hopeful of more volunteer help. They’re also hoping to raise money via sponsorships from local service clubs who would be showcased on a covered-trailer for the float, which itself needs replacement, as a much-repaired ’60s-era vehicle that is said to go through “a gallon of transmission fluid” per parade. And they’ll soon finalize a full slate of new officers; longtime photographer Joanne Murray has been filling in with extra duties in the meantime. She also spoke tonight about Hi-Yu’s plan for more community outreach, participating in events beyond the ones traditionally on their schedule; last month, for example, Hi-Yu joined in a West Seattle Art Walk event, and hopes to do so again as soon as next month.

Keep an eye on the website at westseattlehiyu.com for events and ways to join in, including the monthly meetings – next one 7 pm February 2nd at the regular meeting location, Admiral Congregational Church (4320 SW Hill).