(REPORT #1, published during the parade, is here)
With the anthem by Aine …
And the countdown featuring new parade coordinator Emily Williams (with son Nash) alongside King County Executive Dow Constantine (with toddler daughter Sabrina) and Mayor Ed Murray …
.. after the elected officials’ amazingly abbreviated speeches:
Shortest speech by an elected official ever! @MayorEdMurray before Admiral parade: pic.twitter.com/JbJBlyOeG1
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 4, 2016
… this morning’s West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade was on, with the familiar blue pickup and West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court in the lead:
Everybody left from 44th/Sunset as usual, just south of the mini-stage used for the pre-parade speeches and song, and the crowd stretched for blocks:
This year we didn’t get the entire parade on video … but here’s a spirited stretch toward the California crossing:
So much creativity went into the decorations and costumes:
Plenty of variety in the parade participants’ modes of transportation:
Also on two wheels – these members of the Seattle Police parade-escort contingent:
Yet more bicycling paraders in this added bit of video:
Once the parade arrived at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, it was sack-race time:
Also concession time – while the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s popsicles and bottles of water were mostly sold from a booth, they had roamers too, including ANA past president David Whiting:
And community businesses who sponsored the parade had booths for families to visit – we caught up with three WSB sponsors, A Kids’ Place Too Dentistry:
Mode Music Studios (which offered an art activity at the post-parade festival):
And Second Gear Sports (where you can buy and consign gently used gear):
Also seen at the park – shoutout to the Hinsley Family:
Also seen at the parade: an elected official who didn’t take the stage – King County Council Chair and congressional candidate Joe McDermott:
That’s Betsy Hoffmeister with him. After the parade, he was headed to the new-citizen ceremony downtown – another patriotic 4th of July tradition.
Last but not least, Hamilton Viewpoint sightings that reminded us of what’s yet to come this summer:
That’s West Seattle-based Seafair Clown “Officer Lumpy,” who, with his fellow clowns, has many more parades ahead, including the West Seattle Grand Parade on July 23rd, where you’ll also see this bus that was on display at the park too:
WestSide Baby’s trademark diaper-drive bus was there to collect donations and to remind you this is their big month – culminating in Stuff the Bus day at HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) in The Junction on July 24th. In the meantime – stand by for even more West Seattle summer fun!
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