The balloon animal in the logo for this year’s West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade is more than a graphic – it represents one of the activities that await kids at Hamilton Viewpoint Park post-parade! We are now two days away from West Seattle’s biggest Fourth of July event, which usually brings more than 1,000 people to North Admiral. The parade, now presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, starts at 10 am Friday from 44th SW/Sunset SW [map]. No pre-registration necessary, just show up! This is a non-motorized parade, aside from Seattle Fire Engine 29, a police motorcycle escort, and the “community pickup truck” that usually lead off. At the 44th/Sunset gathering point, the national anthem will be sung by 12-year-old Lola Orza, and with the ringing of a ceremonial bell, the parade will proceed west/southwest to Atlantic, east on Atlantic, across California – this is what even non-participants should know: Police block traffic for the parade to cross California, so you might experience a delay if you’re traveling through that area during the 10 am hour on Friday (although last year the officers brought the parade across in multiple groups, punctuated by passage for waiting vehicles). At the park, local businesses and organizations will offer activities, and other highlights include sack races and public-safety vehicle tours. This year there’s an expanded lineup of food/beverage/treat trucks and carts (listed here). The park activities will end by 1 pm, and then it’s off to the rest of the holiday. The parade and activities are offered free of charge, but it’s a big cost to the ANA (from permits to porta-potties), covered in part by sponsors (listed here) and donations (here’s how to help).