FOURTH OF JULY: West Seattle Kids’ Parade now four days away!

(WSB file photo)

Four days until the return of the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade, which starts at 10 am Monday, from 44th/Sunset in North Admiral – just show up and you’re in, all human-powered except Seattle Fire Engine 29 and the famous “neighborhood blue truck” leading off the parade. The parade winds along a few neighborhood blocks, then crosses California SW to Hamilton Viewpoint Park, where kids’ activities, sack races, and treats await. We asked parade co-organizer Nicole Lutomski for updates on the plan:

*National Anthem will be sung by Sloane Pothier from the West Seattle School of Rock

*Kids activities will be hosted at Hamilton Viewpoint by neighborhood businesses and parade sponsors

*Sack races will be held in these groups:

-3 & Under
-4-5 year olds
-6-7 year olds
-8 & Up
-“Last call” race, kids of all ages
-Adults

Also at Hamilton Viewpoint, until noon, the All City Ice Cream Truck, All City Hot Dog Truck, and Home Bites will be there. Again, this all starts when the parade gets rolling at 44th and Sunset at 10 am Monday. (If you’re new and wonder what it’s like, we record video every year – here’s the 2019 parade – lots of bicycles, strollers, wagons …) Spectators along the route are welcome, too.

9 Replies to "FOURTH OF JULY: West Seattle Kids' Parade now four days away!"

  • KT June 30, 2022 (5:34 pm)

    Celebrate our last year of democracy!

  • Ben Flint July 1, 2022 (8:01 am)

    It’s called the 4th of July Kids’ Parade, but it looks like the photo is all adults! lol. Parents, I encourage you to let your kids walk by themselves. They don’t need you with them, and they’ll remember the parade more fondly if you let them do it by themselves. Imagine being a kid and being surrounded by giants; you can see anything, and you certainly don’t feel like the center of attention. Frankly, it’s kind of weird that all the parents want to walk with them. I say this as the parent of a nine and a five year old.-Ben

    • Zac July 1, 2022 (7:47 pm)

      It’s 2022, there’s absolutely no way parents are going to just let their kids walk alone unsupervised. Zero chance.

      • Jethro Marx July 3, 2022 (11:18 pm)

        Whatever vague date-related fear you have, I assure you, the middle of this parade route is a pretty safe place for a kid. I have some young kids and they run around out of arm’s-reach a very non-zero amount of the time, even on non-parade days. Calling a different take on parenting “creepy” is also a bit weird but we are a strange bunch as a species. Every parent has noticed another parent jump in to manage and direct kid play and/or challenges in an adult way that is all wack.

      • WestSeaMom July 4, 2022 (7:24 am)

        No way, are you kidding me?  We live in Seattle.  That is NOT a good idea.   Why would you even suggest that?  Our job as parents is to protect our children. 

    • Mel July 1, 2022 (8:14 pm)

      Huh? These adults are walking with their kids. Why is that weird? I wouldn’t let my kids walk alone and expect that I’d be able to find them safely at the end. 

      • Zac July 1, 2022 (11:47 pm)

        Exactly.. I’d never let my son walk unsupervised either.. this world is too messed up to take a chance so they don’t have to “walk with giants”? His post feels creepy as heck…

    • Auntie July 1, 2022 (8:57 pm)

      Ben – it’s 2022, not 1952. Parents need to keep a constant eye (or hand) on their kids these days. Maybe not a nine year old, but certainly the five year old. 

  • Gina July 4, 2022 (10:41 am)

    Just take the name ” kids” out, and it would be like the other small community parades on the 4th in the area which would be more inclusive.

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