West Seattle, Washington

23 Tuesday

43℉

West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival 186 results

West Seattle Hi-Yu’s 2009 float wins award its first time out
May 11, 2009 10:11 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

Last Friday, we got a sneak peek at this year’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival float as it prepared to head north for its first parade of the year in Sequim. Tonight, Hi-Yu vice president and float chair Deena Mahn sent photos from the parade – including one (below) of the award won by the “How Sweet It Is” float – and news about how things went:

Plenty of hard work and a challenge up until the moment we got there but we are very proud to have received the Chairman’s Award! Next weekend we will be in Port Townsend for the Rhody Festival.

We would like to extend a very special thank you to Life Church on 35th and Cloverdale, who allowed us to park and work on our float in their parking lot; they were so gracious and took care of our float in one of the windstorms! Also many thanks to everyone who helped in constructing this beautiful float, we are so excited for all of the many upcoming parades.

Share This

West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival’s 2009 float debuts this weekend
May 8, 2009 3:10 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival’s 2009 float debuts this weekend
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

We checked in with West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival president Tim Winston to ask how construction of the “How Sweet It Is” float (Junior Court’s idea, as chosen last December) was going – since the float is scheduled to debut in the Sequim Irrigation Festival parade tomorrow – and he sent photos, along with this update:

As usual for Hi-Yu, the volunteers have been able to get just enough done, just in time. Float chair (& Hi-Yu VP) Deena Mahn completed the float with much help from her family and a crew of helpers. Life Church @ 35th & Cloverdale has been kind enough to allow us to do assembly in their parking lot.

We are using our current trailer, but hoping to enlist sponsors to allow us to order a new *enclosed* trailer soon.

We’ve reported on the fundraising drive before, here (contact info’s in this story). This float represents West Seattle in parades all over the region throughout the late spring and summer, including not only West Seattle’s own American Legion Grand Parade (here’s one of our stories from last year) coming up July 18, but also the huge Seafair Torchlight Parade one week after that.

Share This

Meet the Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Senior Court candidates
April 28, 2009 7:11 pm
|    Comments Off on Meet the Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Senior Court candidates
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

But first, a video flashback:

Last July, WSB was at Grace Church to capture that moment on video when Margo Femiano was announced as Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival for 2008-2009. With less than three months remaining now till Queen Margo’s successor is coronated, it’s time to introduce you to the six candidates in this year’s scholarship competition: Two Chief Sealth High School students, two Holy Names Academy students, one John F. Kennedy High School student and one Mount Rainier High School student. Read on to see their photos and brief bios, shared by Hi-Yu pageant coordinator Shirley Enebrad:Read More

Share This

Your creativity needed! Hi-Yu program, Produce Co-op tote bag
April 16, 2009 7:06 am
|    Comments Off on Your creativity needed! Hi-Yu program, Produce Co-op tote bag
 |   Delridge | How to help | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival

Creative talent? 2 opportunities today, and your work could be seen by thousands!

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU SUMMER FESTIVAL NEEDS SOUVENIR BOOKLET HELP: From Deena Mahn:

West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival is looking for help doing the page design & layout for our Summer Festival Souvenir Book. We pass out thousands in West Seattle before our festival in July. The advertising-supported 32-page book contains a thank-you to our business members, events description & schedule, introductions of our Junior and Senior Courts, and information on our sponsoring service clubs. This could be a great way to serve your community while adding to your portfolio. Anyone who might be able to help can look at past years’ books at hiyu.com/booklets – contact us at info@hiyu.com.

DELRIDGE PRODUCE COOPERATIVE TOTE BAG CONTEST: Above, you see Pam, attendee at the recent Delridge Produce Cooperative Produce Partners Potluck, who won that bag full of goodies – now imagine Pam (among others) holding a bag with a design YOU created! Galena White says there’s one entry so far in the tote-bag design contest but they’d love to see more, and ALL AGES are encouraged to give it a try – the deadline’s less than two weeks away:

Just draw a black-and-white picture representing how you feel about having a produce cooperative on Delridge, and what it means to you. If you win first prize, you’ll see your artwork all around Delridge this summer. Delridge Produce Cooperative wants to give away hundreds of reusable, compactible nylon tote bags with artwork on them to help spread the message, “I want a produce cooperative on Delridge!” Reusable totes are environmentally sustainable, and are great for carrying home fresh produce.

1st prize is $48, 2nd prize is $32, and 3rd prize is $16. The design should be a foot square or a little less, and be submitted in a foldable format (on a piece of non-cardstock-weight paper) at the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association office (5411 Delridge Way SW). Put your submission in the “Delridge Produce Co-Op” envelope along with an attached sheet with your full name, address, phone number, and email address. Entry is FREE, and due by April 28th, 2009. The board members of Delridge Produce Cooperative will be the judges, and will inform the winners by May 12th, 2009. All ages are encouraged to participate!

Share This

West Seattle Hi-Yu: Tea success; last call for scholarship applicants
March 22, 2009 8:24 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Hi-Yu: Tea success; last call for scholarship applicants
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

What? A Seafair Pirate behaving? We caught the pirate known as “The Marquis” posing with the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Senior and Junior Courts this afternoon at The Hall at Fauntleroy, for the annual Hi-Yu Spring Tea – a smash success, selling out every available seat. This gives us the excuse to mention that the Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Scholarship Competition has some great opportunities for young women interested in competing to be part of the Senior Court chosen this summer, and there’s ONE MORE WEEK TO APPLY … here’s the official info again:

Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Scholarship Competition: Applications due
3/30/09

Young women who live, work or attend school in West Seattle are invited to apply for the Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu scholarship competition. There are several scholarship awards given out at the pageant, including, but again, not limited to: Athletic, Media Career, Community Service, Academic, Miss Congeniality, Creative Expression, and Hi-Yu Involvement. There are three titles awarded: Queen and two Princesses.

Each title winner receives a scholarship (Princesses- $1,000 each, Queen- $2,000), crown, and sash. The Queen will receive $1,250 at the end of her reign and $750 after completing the Miss Seafair competition. She will represent the community during the 2009-2010 festival year and travel to several Northwest parades with the Hi-Yu float. The Senior Court members must be available to participate in the Hi-Yu Summer Festival activities.

While there is some work involved, West Seattle royalty will have a lot of fun serving your community, making new friends, increasing confidence, and developing leadership. New this year, all candidates will have the opportunity to work with a local businesswoman as a professional mentor and spend a day with professional health & beauty professionals receiving advice on hair, make-up, and dress. Hi-Yu serves the West Seattle Community by providing fun and affordable entertainment for adults and children alike.

The application, found at www.hiyu.com, must be postmarked by March 30, 2009. Mail your completed application to Candidate Coordinator, West Seattle Hi-Yu, PO Box 16130, Seattle, WA 98116. If you have questions, call Shirley at 206-935-5224.

Again, here’s the direct link to the application. And one more photo from today’s Hi-Yu Spring Tea – a closer look at the design of this year’s float, which you’ll see in the West Seattle Grand Parade July 18th as well as a variety of other parades around Western Washington:

As reported here back in December, the theme “How Sweet It Is” was dreamed up by this year’s Junior Court.

Share This

Parades! Scholarships! Apply for West Seattle Hi-Yu Senior Court
March 1, 2009 12:15 pm
|    Comments Off on Parades! Scholarships! Apply for West Seattle Hi-Yu Senior Court
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

(WSB video of West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival’s award-winning appearance in 2008 Seafair Torchlight Parade)
Riding on a float, waving at hundreds of thousands of people during the Seafair Torchlight Parade – and tens of thousands during other parades in communities from West Seattle to Sequim – is just one of the side benefits of being West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival royalty. Scholarship money is another big attraction. To be considered for the Hi-Yu Senior Court to be chosen this summer, candidates need to apply by the end of this month – here’s the announcement one more time:

Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Scholarship Competition: Applications due
3/30/09

Young women who live, work or attend school in West Seattle are invited to apply for the Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu scholarship competition. There are several scholarship awards given out at the pageant, including, but again, not limited to: Athletic, Media Career, Community Service, Academic, Miss Congeniality, Creative Expression, and Hi-Yu Involvement. There are three titles awarded: Queen and two Princesses.

Each title winner receives a scholarship (Princesses- $1,000 each, Queen- $2,000), crown, and sash. The Queen will receive $1,250 at the end of her reign and $750 after completing the Miss Seafair competition. She will represent the community during the 2009-2010 festival year and travel to several Northwest parades with the Hi-Yu float. The Senior Court members must be available to participate in the Hi-Yu Summer Festival activities.

While there is some work involved, West Seattle royalty will have a lot of fun serving your community, making new friends, increasing confidence, and developing leadership. New this year, all candidates will have the opportunity to work with a local businesswoman as a professional mentor and spend a day with professional health & beauty professionals receiving advice on hair, make-up, and dress. Hi-Yu serves the West Seattle Community by providing fun and affordable entertainment for adults and children alike.

The application, found at www.hiyu.com, must be postmarked by March 30, 2009. Mail your completed application to Candidate Coordinator, West Seattle Hi-Yu, PO Box 16130, Seattle, WA 98116. If you have questions, call Shirley at 206-935-5224.

Again, here’s the direct link to the application. And another Hi-Yu reminder, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Three weeks from today, it’s the Hi-Yu Spring Tea and Silent Auction at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 2-4:30 pm March 22nd, $25/person. Make a reservation – 206-935-6517 or info@hiyu.com.

Share This

Monday afternoon notes: From annexation vote to float followup
February 9, 2009 3:23 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | How to help | Pigeon Point | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news | White Center

COUNCIL SAYS “NO” TO ANNEXATION AGREEMENT: We’re working on continuing coverage for this at partner site White Center Now, but it’s worth a note here: The Seattle City Council has just voted 8 to 1 to *not* endorse the recent agreement reached with Burien and two fire districts, setting a framework for the potential annexation process over the next few years; the agreement basically gave Burien first rights of refusal on the southern half of the North Highline unincorporated area, and Seattle first rights on the north half (including most of White Center). We’re continuing to add details from the council discussion to the WCN report here. (5:14 pm note: Added a comment from Seattle mayoral spokesperson Alex Fryer, saying, “The MOU with Burien took some time, but we had an agreement that made sense for all the parties. With the City Council decision today, we’re done with the issue for this year.”)

HAPPENING TONIGHT: Last reminders about three events of note, all on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: The Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council meets at Cooper Elementary, 7 pm; the Denny Site Redevelopment Design Team meets at the Denny Middle School Library, also 7 pm; and the ARK Park benefit concert (raising money for a privately funded new park on land owned by Arbor Heights Community Church) is happening at Roosevelt High School, also at 7.

“HAVE A HEART” FINAL TALLY: Heather at Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) tells us yesterday’s event (WSB coverage here) brought in more than $1,700 for West Seattle Helpline and Pencil Me in for Kids.

HI-YU FLOAT HOME SEARCH: West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival president Tim Winston reports that the float has a reprieve (following this item over the weekend) but it’s not forever:

Harbor Properties has once more been gracious and extended our storage of the float through February. However, their project will need us to be out after that.

Regarding use of other currently empty buildings – they are looking for contacts, so even if you don’t know for sure whether something might be available, if you have a contact and can provide that info to Hi-Yu, please call Tim at 206-938-2088.

Share This

West Seattle Hi-Yu float is almost homeless: Can you help ASAP?
February 6, 2009 12:37 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

One month ago, we brought you an update from the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival leadership, seeking new storage space for their float – which represents West Seattle in parades around the region. Today, Hi-Yu’s Carol Winston e-mailed to say that while they’ve gotten some “leads,” they’re out of time – the float MUST be out of its temporary storage space TOMORROW. Here’s what Carol says they’re looking for:

We need a secure area that can park our 24’ trailer with float vehicle on top. Ideally an enclosed site, such as warehouse space, large garage, etc. would be nice, but at this point just an outside fenced space would be an answer to prayer. We need the space for a month or so, although we also have to find space to start building the float. If someone had a space that would work for both….that would be awesome! It doesn’t necessarily need to be in West Seattle, but somewhere close by would be great.

UPDATED FROM ORIGINAL POST: If you can help, here’s who to call: Hi-Yu president Tim Winston at 206-938-2088.

Share This

West Seattle Hi-Yu update: Scholarship Program application time
January 24, 2009 5:11 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Hi-Yu update: Scholarship Program application time
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

We took you to Grace Church last July for the coronation of West Seattle Hi-Yu Senior Court Queen Margo Femiano (center) and Princesses Alicia Watanabe and Katie Tarabochia (left, right); now, at the midpoint between summers, the 2009 Scholarship Program is welcoming applications. This year’s program coordinator is Shirley Enebrad, who renews the basics of the announcement we made one year ago today:

Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Scholarship Competition: Applications due
3/30/09

Young women who live, work or attend school in West Seattle are invited to apply for the Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu scholarship competition. There are several scholarship awards given out at the pageant, including, but again, not limited to: Athletic, Media Career, Community Service, Academic, Miss Congeniality, Creative Expression, and Hi-Yu Involvement. There are three titles awarded: Queen and two Princesses.

Each title winner receives a scholarship (Princesses- $1,000 each, Queen- $2,000), crown, and sash. The Queen will receive $1,250 at the end of her reign and $750 after completing the Miss Seafair competition. She will represent the community during the 2009-2010 festival year and travel to several Northwest parades with the Hi-Yu float. The Senior Court members must be available to participate in the Hi-Yu Summer Festival activities.

While there is some work involved, West Seattle royalty will have a lot of fun serving your community, making new friends, increasing confidence, and developing leadership. New this year, all candidates will have the opportunity to work with a local businesswoman as a professional mentor and spend a day with professional health & beauty professionals receiving advice on hair, make-up, and dress. Hi-Yu serves the West Seattle Community by providing fun and affordable entertainment for adults and children alike.

The application, found at www.hiyu.com, must be postmarked by March 30, 2009. Mail your completed application to Candidate Coordinator, West Seattle Hi-Yu, PO Box 16130, Seattle, WA 98116. If you have questions, call Shirley at 206-935-5224.

Again, here’s the direct link to the application. Another Hi-Yu note, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Hi-Yu’s Spring Tea and Silent Auction is set for March 22 at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 2-4:30 pm, $25/person, and they’re taking reservations now – 206-935-6517 or info@hiyu.com.

Share This

Summer’s not so far away: Hi-Yu float needs help, and a home
January 7, 2009 1:38 pm
|    Comments Off on Summer’s not so far away: Hi-Yu float needs help, and a home
 |   How to help | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

We mentioned West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival‘s quest for a “new” float trailer last fall. That’s still a work in progress, and now the float needs a home too. Can you help? Here’s the latest, from Hi-Yu treasurer Kelly Mitchell:

Planning is underway for the 2009 parade season, so what’s next? The engine repairs completed at the end of last season will make it possible to keep the float running for the next 2 years while we raise funds and build a new float platform. With a few repairs to the frame and an upgrade to the sound system, it will be ready for this year’s many parades. The theme for the 2009 float has been chosen; it’s West Seattle Hi-Yu 75 Years ‘How Sweet It Is’. [as reported here last month] That being said, there are two critical issues to resolve.

This year’s parade season depends on obtaining a covered car trailer for the float. Our existing flatbed trailer has become too demanding and dangerous for the volunteers. We are consistently the last crew to leave a parade. Getting the float on the trailer requires a carefully followed procedure for bracing the trailer, driving the float up steep ramps, and securing it. Then the unwieldy tarp must be pulled over the float and secured for freeway-speed winds. This whole process takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours on a sunny day. At midnight and/or in the rain, it can take substantially longer. Our peers with covered vehicle trailers, drive in the float, secure it with a built-in system, and shut the door & leave. Unless we happen to have volunteers with trucking or equipment hauling experience, people have to be trained each year. The unpleasant hours that volunteers spend at this reduces the hours that we have available for coordinating community events.

We are planning to buy a new trailer similar to the one that the Leavenworth Autumn Leaf Festival purchased this year. Photo shows the trailer at the Seafair Torchlight Parade:

floattrailer.jpg

This 30′ extra-height vehicle trailer will cost about $12,000 and should last at least 20 years. We believe that is an obtainable goal this fall and winter, in addition to the annual memberships that we depend on for the festival’s annual scholarships and events.

Additionally, Harbor Properties is beginning construction on the site where we have been storing the float. Hi-Yu thanks them for graciously providing us with this space. Since we now need to vacate we will once again need a storage location. A covered trailer will provide many more storage options in, or close to, West Seattle, but until then we are looking for a new home for the float. To store the float we would require space in the dimensions of 30′ x 15′ and a larger space would accommodate the work activities that go into building the new items for this year’s theme. We are very excited to get started on this year’s float but we need your help and quick! If you have a space or know of anyone who may be able to help us or you want to help with this year’s construction, please contact Kelly Mitchell at kelly_mitchell@isp.com or 206-932-0665.

Share This

Next West Seattle Hi-Yu theme chosen: “How Sweet It Is”
December 1, 2008 9:28 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

hiyujuniorcourt.jpg

(Left to right, photographed 7/18/08, the Hi-Yu Junior Court: Princesses Elyse Mitchell and Anna Fuller, and Queen Zoe Mahn)
We were there for their coronation on July 18th (photo above) and tonight, a new distinction for the current West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Junior Court — their proposal for the next float theme was chosen at tonight’s Hi-Yu meeting: “Awesome!” is how Princess Elyse said she felt after the Junior Court’s idea, “Hi-Yu 75 Years: How Sweet It Is” was chosen as the official theme of the 2009 float. The float will have a candy motif, featuring candy canes, lollipops, and dishes of ice cream. The girls’ presentation during tonight’s meeting at Merrill Gardens on 35th included single-sheet drawings from Princess Anna, who said she had worked on her drawing during a recent plane trip from Houston to Seattle. A poster board workup of the float was drawn by Queen Zoe, who also handled most of the presentation. In all, three ideas were submitted; only one other theme, “Diamond Memories,” received any votes. (Last year’s theme, if you need a refresher, was “Luna Park,” and it won an award in the Seafair Torchlight Parade [WSB coverage, with video, here].)

Share This

Happening tonight: Three quick reminders
December 1, 2008 1:37 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening tonight: Three quick reminders
 |   Denny-Sealth | Transportation | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival

DENNY MIDDLE SCHOOL SITE REDEVELOPMENT DESIGN TEAM: 5-9 pm, Denny MS library, “design charrette” to rough out a proposed plan for the site, once Denny is torn down after its new building on the Chief Sealth HS campus is done. (WSB coverage of the previous meeting is here.)

FAUNTLEROY WAY LANE RECONFIGURATION OPEN HOUSE: 5:30-8:30 pm, High Point Community Center (map), go register your comments and get information about the proposal to change Fauntleroy between Alaska and California to one lane each way plus a center turn lane when repaving work is done next year. (Previous WSB coverage is linked from this post.)

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU FESTIVAL MEETING AND CHRISTMAS RECEPTION: 6:30 pm, Merrill Gardens on 35th (map). All welcome to share ideas as Hi-Yu chooses its float theme for next year, and celebrates the holiday season. (More here.)

Share This

West Seattle Hi-Yu: Ornaments today, your ideas tomorrow
November 30, 2008 7:06 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Hi-Yu: Ornaments today, your ideas tomorrow
 |   How to help | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

Its name may technically be West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival, but the volunteers who are part of it don’t come close to slowing down during the winter. Above, we photographed Hi-Yu Junior Court Queen Zoe and Princess Elyse selling fundraiser ornaments at Thriftway last weekend – beautiful blown-glass creations:

And they’ll be doing the same thing today on the east side of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, noon-2 pm at the booth for Kiwanis Club of West Seattle (where you can also find out more about next Saturday’s big pancake breakfast, 7-11 am at the Masonic Hall – also of course on the Holiday Happenings page too). Now, the part about “your ideas tomorrow” — Hi-Yu leaders hope you can join them for their Christmas reception and meeting, 6:30 tomorrow (Monday) night at Merrill Gardens on 35th (map) – Hi-Yu’s Deena Mahn tells WSB, “We will be voting on the 2008-09 theme for our float; this year West Seattle Hi-Yu is celebrating 75 years so it is extra special. We want to hear ideas and all are welcome … we are also having a Christmas Reception with refreshments following the meeting.”

Share This

Trim your tree while helping Hi-Yu: Ornaments on sale!
November 21, 2008 11:21 pm
|    Comments Off on Trim your tree while helping Hi-Yu: Ornaments on sale!
 |   How to help | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

Those are three of the four glass ornaments that West Seattle Hi-Yu is selling in its annual holiday-time fundraiser – designed and hand-blown by Glass Eye Studio, $25 each, proceeds supporting Hi-Yu (including all the fun summer events Hi-Yu presents, and the float its volunteers create this year to represent West Seattle in parades near and far). You can buy them from any Hi-Yu member, or be on the lookout for ornament-sellers around West Seattle — this Sunday, you will find them at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle booth on the east side of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market (10 am-2 pm) and you’ll also find Queen Zoe and Princess Elyse from the Hi-Yu Junior Court selling ornaments Sunday, 11 am-2 pm, at West Seattle Thriftway in Morgan Junction. Another big event coming up where you’ll be able to buy them: The Kiwanis Club’s big Pancake Breakfast (which itself sounds like a great deal — all the pancakes and ham you can eat, 7 am-11 am December 6th at the Masonic Hall [map], $6 adults/$3 kids 12 and under; Santa’ll be there too – here’s the flyer). The Hi-Yu ornaments are available through Christmas — if they don’t sell out sooner!

Share This

West Seattle Hi-Yu: ’08 float finale – ’09 help needed now
October 5, 2008 10:01 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Hi-Yu: ’08 float finale – ’09 help needed now
 |   How to help | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

floatissaquah.jpg

That’s the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival‘s 2008 float making its last parade appearance of the year, this weekend in Issaquah. The float’s had its ups and downs this year, and we asked Hi-Yu president Tim Winston to let us know when it was time to ask for your help — now’s the time, as he writes in this update about the 2008 float’s finale:

We had a successful day at Issaquah Salmon Days yesterday. The float ran great, thanks to Tim Szender of Quality Auto Electric in Des Moines and Al Glencross of the West Seattle Eagles. Tim replaced the entire ignition system of our 1967 Roadmaster with an electronic system. Al funded the repair.

The day started when we left the old Huling Garage (thank you, Harbor Properties) @ 4:30 am so the float could be ready for judging in Issaquah by 7:30. There was moderate rain for set up and staging; however, it stopped for the 10 am parade. Unfortunately, we had to trailer and cover the float in a steady, drenching rain:

floattarp.jpg

This completes the 2008 parade season, so what’s next? The engine repairs will make it possible to keep the float running for the next 2 years while we raise funds and build a new float platform. With a few repairs to the frame and an upgrade to the sound system, it will be ready for 2009.

However, next year’s parade season depends on obtaining a covered car trailer for the float. Our existing flatbed trailer has become too demanding and dangerous for the volunteers. We are consistently the last crew to leave a parade. Getting the float on the trailer requires a carefully followed procedure for bracing the trailer, driving the float up steep ramps, and securing it. Then the unwieldy tarp must be pulled over the float and secured for freeway-speed winds. This whole process takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours a on sunny day. At midnight and/or in the rain, it can take substantially longer. Our peers with covered vehicle trailers, drive in the float, secure it with a built-in system, shut the door & leave. Unless we happen to have volunteers with trucking or equipment hauling experience, people have to be trained each year. The unpleasant hours that volunteers spend at this reduces the hours that we have available for coordinating community events.

Additionally, when Harbor Properties begins construction on the site where we are currently storing the float, which they have graciously provided for us, we will once again need a storage location. A covered trailer will provide many more storage options in, or close to, West Seattle.

We are planning to buy a new trailer similar to the one that the Leavenworth Autumn Leaf Festival purchased this year. Photo shows the trailer at the Seafair Torchlight Parade:

floattrailer.jpg

This 30’ extra-height vehicle trailer will cost about $12,000 and should last at least 20 years. We believe that is an obtainable goal this Fall and Winter, in addition to the annual memberships that we depend on for the festival’s annual scholarships and events.

We are offering both perpetual and annual logo placement on the sides and back of the trailer:

floattrailersponsors.jpg

This is very good exposure, since the float travels to about 10 parades throughout the area. Depending on where the trailer is stored, there may be year-around exposure. Anyone who would like information about sponsorship should e-mail me at info@hiyu.com

Thanks,
Tim Winston
President
West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival

Share This

West Seattle Hi-Yu float wins award in Seafair Torchlight Parade
July 26, 2008 11:24 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

Video thumbnail. Click to play
Click To Play

That’s WSB video of the West Seattle Hi-Yu float going by during tonight’s Seafair Torchlight Parade, from our vantage point across from the Rainier Club about two-thirds of the way down the parade route. The Hi-Yu folks had extra reasons for those big bright smiles — the Luna Park-themed float won the Smile Award during judging for tonight’s parade. (Full list of winners here.) We’ll add a few more West Seattle moments and parade observations later, but wanted to get this news up first (in case you missed our post to Twitter during the parade). ADDED VERY EARLY SUNDAY: Those assorted extras, including a clip of parade grand marshal Sig Hansen from “Deadliest Catch” (no West Seattle link that I know of, but having had some family ties to the fishing industry, it was interesting to see a fisherman treated like a rock star!):Read More

Share This

Report #2, with video: Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu, princesses chosen
July 22, 2008 4:56 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

So you’re a festival queen at the end of your yearlong reign, about to turn over the tiara – and you tell the audience about your fondest memories:

Video thumbnail. Click to play.
Click To Play

Yes, as reported here before, the Hi-Yu float has needed help for a while, and even that will be a fond memory for good-humored Sivona Lingle. Last year, she was the only candidate for the senior court in the Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Scholarship Program, and therefore has served the past year as a one-woman senior court. Last night, quite a different scenario – she crowned her successor, and two princesses, from a field of five candidates, during a high-spirited event in the expansive (and warm!) sanctuary of Grace Community Church. Watch video of all three crowning moments – and a few other highlights, including the Talent Award-winning performance – as our story continues just ahead:Read More

Share This

New Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu just crowned
July 21, 2008 9:28 pm
|    Comments Off on New Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu just crowned
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

misshiyuandparents.jpg

(photo added 9:59 pm – the new Miss Hi-Yu posing for pix with her parents Ramona and Robert)
At Grace Church, the 2008 Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Coronation has just concluded with Margo Femiano, who graduated from Chief Sealth High School last month (as class president!), chosen as the new queen. The princesses are Alicia Watanabe and Katie Tarabochia. More on the big night (including video) later!

Share This

Happening today/tonight, in West Seattle and beyond
July 21, 2008 12:21 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening today/tonight, in West Seattle and beyond
 |   Environment | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle parks

THIS AFTERNOON: City website says the City Council may vote today on whether to send the Parks and Green Spaces Levy to the ballot, after its 2:30 pm Committee of the Whole meeting @ City Hall downtown. TONIGHT: Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Coronation @ Grace Church, 7 pm; Highland Park Action Committee (jail-sites fight and more) @ Highland Park Improvement Club, 7 pm; Sustainable West Seattle, 7:30 pm @ Camp Long. More events in West Seattle (and/or of WS relevance) for the days/weeks/months to come, on the WSB Events calendar page.

Share This

New West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Junior Court just crowned
July 18, 2008 3:11 pm
|    Comments Off on New West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Junior Court just crowned
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

hiyujuniorcourt.jpg

At Hiawatha this afternoon, proud parents and other onlookers cheered as Hi-Yu junior royalty past and present coronated the 2008-2009 court: Left to right, the girls NOT wearing Hi-Yu red and white (yet!) are new junior princesses Elyse Mitchell and Anna Fuller, and new junior queen Zoe Mahn. Here’s video of her running up after the big announcement, and then receiving her crown from 2007-2008 Hi-Yu Junior Queen Danica Tongol:

Video thumbnail. Click to play.
Click To Play

Congratulations to all. The “senior” court coronation is 7 pm Monday at Grace Church; before then, of course, you’ll see Hi-Yu royalty (and the Luna Park float!) in tomorrow’s West Seattle Grand Parade (route and other info here), and everyone’s invited to the Hi-Yu Community Brunch, 9 am-noon Sunday, at American Legion Post 160 in The Junction.

Share This

Hi-Yu events today: Kids’ Fun Fest and Junior Court Coronation
July 18, 2008 9:23 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival

Both at Hiawatha Community Center – the Fun Festival is scheduled noon-3, Junior Court Coronation at 1 pm.

Share This

West Seattle Grand Parade countdown: Less than 36 hours away!
July 17, 2008 11:36 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival

If this is your second or third summer as a WSB’er, you know we are huge fans of the West Seattle Grand Parade, presented during the Hi-Yu Festival by American Legion Post 160 (many call it the Hi-Yu Parade but it’s been pointed out that while Hi-Yu participates, the festival does not PRESENT it, the Post does). We’re now just a day and a half away and thought we’d put together some parade notes of interest. First, the route – California and Lander (Admiral District) to California/Edmunds (The Junction); the purple marker denotes the start of the Kiddies’ Parade at California/Genesee (which also continues to Edmunds):


View Larger Map

The Kiddies’ Parade is presented by the Rotary Club of West Seattle (all kids welcome to participate; here’s the flyer with details) and starts at 10:30 am – here’s one entry from last year:

kidparadewhale.jpg

The Grand Parade follows immediately after the Kiddies’ Parade. Next, if you missed it the first time around, here’s the list of parade highlights, as announced by parade organizers (and we’ve just learned of some late additions, including a Charlestown Cafe entry!). Among the many star attractions: If you thought the Seafair Pirates were a blast on the beach, wait till you hear their cannon fire echo down California Ave!

piratessmoke.jpg

That’s just one of the photos we published last year. You’ll find the rest in this 2007 post and the links with which it ends – pointing you to all installments of our parade coverage from last summer. This year’s parade has about 70 entries (including the one we’re helping coordinate; you’re invited to be part of it) – and even if you aren’t so sure you’re “the parade type,” it’s another occasion for West Side Pride, since this is the oldest community parade in Seattle. Tomorrow, the countdown continues (as do the previews of other weekend excitement, including the first “Movies on the Wall” showing on Saturday night — “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”).

Share This

Hi-Yu Concert in the Park proves kids love big-band tunes too
July 15, 2008 10:38 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle video | WS culture/arts

Video thumbnail. Click to play.
Click To Play

Just so happens the song was “The Children of Sanchez” when we got that video of The Children of West Seattle (some of ’em, anyway) romping during the West Seattle Big Band‘s hour-and-a-half Hi-Yu Festival Concert in the Park tonight @ Hiawatha. Good-sized crowd – band manager Jim Edwards told us afterward that concertgoers started showing up as early as an hour before showtime (great night for a picnic dinner!). Ahead, more video (including an extremely young “assistant bandleader”), and your next chance to enjoy free outdoor summer concerts in West Seattle (one of which will also star the WSBB):Read More

Share This