WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE 2024: Report #1 – in-progress updates

10:50 AM: The West Seattle Grand Parade has just begun at California/Lander, starting off with a last-minute surprise – four SPD motorcycles. After years of hiatus, a smaller group is just getting back to parade participation. Someone else to watch for as the parade makes its way south on California to Edmunds, as mentioned in one of our previews, the West Seattle Mrs. Ropers:

This will be the biggest parade in years, with more than 80 entries expected (you can see our previews by scrolling through this coverage archive). Remember that California is closed south of Admiral, to the south end of The Junction, until the route is cleared – the parade proceeds southbound on California. You can watch anywhere that has a view of the street. We’ll update when it’s over, and we’ll of course have lots of coverage later.

12:19 PM: The parade has ended at the north end, with volunteers from A Cleaner Alki:

We’ll update when it’s concluded at the south end. And then – lots of highlights later!

1 PM: Over in The Junction too. Street has been reopening block by block behind it.

Stan July 20, 2024 (12:18 pm)

Can we please stop with the cannon. There are babies, pets, and people with PTSD here. So unnecessary.

Erik July 20, 2024 (5:09 pm)

It was a little annoying for sure. I’d be happy if they didn’t.
Rae July 20, 2024 (5:31 pm)

Agreed! The whole parade is great otherwise!!
Anne July 20, 2024 (6:30 pm)

No

Kathy July 20, 2024 (12:29 pm)

What’s going on with the explosives, honking and sirens? Is this part of the parade? I’m going to have to move away for July. My animals can’t take it.

WSB July 20, 2024 (2:22 pm)

Yes, that’s the Seafair Pirates and Clowns.
CarDriver July 20, 2024 (3:20 pm)

Kathy;Stan. The pirates with their cannon and the clowns with their siren have been in the parade for a LONG time. Nothing new here. You just noticed??
Stan July 20, 2024 (4:52 pm)

Might want to stay away for the rest of the summer. Blue Angels, hydros and other fun stuff to come.
- Hammer in Hand July 21, 2024 (6:58 am)
  
  Or in brace it. Seafair has been a Seattle tradition for a along time
Question Authority July 20, 2024 (5:34 pm)

You must be new here, it’s a local tradition much like Chicago dyeing the river green. For those who dislike it, you have one year to plan to leave town for a few hours.
- rupturedeardrum July 22, 2024 (3:33 pm)
  
  It was like hella loud tho. I don’t know if they got a new cannon or what.
Anne July 20, 2024 (6:32 pm)

Oh please this parade , pirates, clowns , canons , booms- loud drums etc. have been going on for decades. If the only solution for you is to leave for July- have fun.

HiYu Love! July 20, 2024 (2:17 pm)

Those of us at the all ways walk were fortunate enough to start our parade day with a blessing from Cecile Hansen, Duwamish Tribal Council Chairwoman, thank you Cecile, your words warmed my heart. As the event continued and I experienced our local HiYu/West Seattle Grand/Safair parade for the first time in a few years I am so grateful to all the people that made this happen.Thank you, it takes time, dedication and follow through not just for those who walk, dance, wave and participate in the parade itself but those who support the participants along the way and the local team that makes it happen. Thank you, we enjoyed every minute. Much appreciated by this local fan.

WSB July 20, 2024 (2:26 pm)

Her appearance was a first – we mentioned it in one of our parade previews:
https://westseattleblog.com/2024/07/preview-1-whos-new-at-saturdays-west-seattle-grand-parade/

Our crew in The Junction did record video, so that’ll be part of our upcoming coverage.

JP July 20, 2024 (3:30 pm)

I thought it was a great event, cannon fire and all. Special to see the community get together with so much positive energy. We need more days like this. But of course the first comments trickling in here are complaints about horns and pirate cannons. Your dog is going to be fine, I promise. Good grief, some of you folks really need to get out of the house and experience the world. Thanks to everyone involved in the parade including the pirates who always go out of their way to make our children smile!

Robin July 20, 2024 (4:18 pm)

Thanks to community waving back! Some of our Girl Scouts were so nervous about being in their first parade, but your dancing, smiling, and waving was so much fun, it goes by really fast! Today makes West Seattle a great place and I’m so happy for the people who organize and all the volunteers for their time. Thanks to Dan at Peel & Press for the stereo equipment and my guy who gets up early to throw the speakers on our “float” 😄

C July 20, 2024 (8:02 pm)

I don’t have much of a dog in this fight – but every year folks raise legitimate issues they have with the booms, pirates, etc – and the only response received is “get over it”. Not very neighborly.

Al King July 21, 2024 (10:16 am)

C. Soo if 5 people complained about the parade noise you’d want the “neighborly” thing done and have those participants banned? The thousands that enjoy them would have no complaint about the cancellations?

Daisy July 20, 2024 (8:43 pm)

All City Band is the Best!!!! They sounded amazing as always

Alki resident July 20, 2024 (9:08 pm)

You won’t take tradition away from us locals. The Seafare Pirates and the cannon is what represents Seattle very proudly and that’ll never end. We’ve throughly had the privilege of having them for many many years. They won’t be silenced.