That’s our annual video tradition – everybody in the West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade as they start down the route, westbound on Sunset SW in North Admiral. Some differences this year – while SPD motorcycles led the parade, SFD Engine 29 and the famous blue pickup truck did not. Engine 29 did park at Hamilton Viewpoint post-parade for tours, and as for the truck, it was used as a stage at the parade starting point –

(Photo by Oliver Hamlin for WSB)

president Joanie Jacobs of the Admiral Neighborhood Association, which now presents the parade, explained why, before introducing a late addition to the event, Mayor Bruce Harrell, and 12-year-old anthem singer Lola Orza:

Harrell was one of two mayors present for the parade – neighborhood resident Greg Nickels (the last Seattle mayor to serve 2 terms) and wife Sharon Nickels were seen chatting with him:

(WSB photo by Jason Grotelueschen)

Harrell, running for re-election this year, declared, “Don’t tell other parts of the city I said this, but West Seattle is the best part of the city right now!” It’s certainly the only part of the city that has open participation like this one – show up and you’re in.

(This photo and next 6 by Oliver Hamlin for WSB)

Once the parade reached Hamilton Viewpoint, it was sack-race time:

Local lawyer (and dad) Imants Holmquist announced the races with a heavy helping of humor:

You can hear him in our short video clips – first one of the kids’ groups, then the, shall we say, older adults:

The Hamilton Viewpoint afterparty also had food trucks and activity booths, both in greater number than years previous:

(Photo by Andrew Vernon)

First-year parade coordinators were Becky Brownlee (left) and Erin Roubik (right), below with ANA president Joanie Jacobs (center):

(WSB photo by Jason Grotelueschen)

The ANA’s next big summer event is the Admiral Music in the Parks three-concert series, starting July 17.