Representing 250 years, members of the Peter Puget Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution hand out educational brochures regarding the Flag Code. (All photos by Julia Wiese unless otherwise noted)
Edmonds showed that there’s nothing like a small-town parade to celebrate America’s 250th birthday as thousands lined the streets Saturday to enjoy entries ranging from marching bands to Irish dancers to bagpipers to Vietnam veterans to community leaders.
Near the front of the parade in an electric cart was Edmonds environmental advocate and Citizen of the Year Gayla Shoemake, who served as grand marshal.
Parade Grand Marshal and Edmonds Citizen of the Year Gayla Shoemake greets parade-goers. (Photo by Larry Vogel)Mayor Mike Rosen waves to the crowd.
The morning started with a series of Chamber-sponsored running and walking events (see more here), followed by the family friendly Children’s Parade and the Main Parade.
The Children’s Parade begins.In a 1980s vintage fire truck powered by a relative, River cruises along with little effort.Candy tossing is the name of the game for volunteers of all ages.Lynnwood resident James is flying at a snail’s pace in a plane built by his dad.Edmonds residents the Riedingers (back row) and the Newmans (front row) are attending their first Edmonds Kind of 4th. Grandpa said the granddaughters don’t know about all the candy to come.The corner of 6th and Walnut gang await the parade.Brier resident Elise whiles away the time until the parade starts by making chalk fireworks on the pavement.The parade begins to roll down 5th Avenue.The American Legion Color Guard.Gold Star families are honored. They are the immediate surviving relatives of military service members who lost their lives in the line of duty,Edmonds South County Historical Society and Museum members ride in the historic Edmonds fire truck.The Northwest Junior Pipe Band plays tunes along the parade route.The Edmonds Village senior living entry was decorated with help from the residents.Edmonds Floretum Garden Club members with their truck bed of roses.North Sound Church members carry the flag with pride.Ballet Folklorico Xochiquetzal dancers make the day even brighter with their outfits.Scenthound shows off their beautiful dogs.Salish Sea Brewing, which has been hosting World Cup soccer viewing parties, shows their allegiance to the sport.The Edmonds Food Bank collected donations of peanut butter and jelly along the parade route.Edmonds School District summer school musicians.Lynnwood’s Mr. Kleen, which operates two gas stations and car washes, is a parade regular.Edmonds-Woodway High School dance camp performers.A Grafton Street Academy Irish dancer delights the crowd with her precision footwork.Energetic students from Master Cho’s Taekwondo in Lynnwood.Pacific Little League 13- and 14-year-old softball players are all smiles.Chamber staff say farewell — until next year.
The winning Main Parade entries included:
Most Patriotic: Peter Puget Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Most Original: R&R Towing
Funniest: Edmonds Village Senior Living
Best Decorated: Salish Sea Brewing
Chamber Trophy: Scenthound Lynnwood
The annual parade is presented by the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce and powered by dedicated volunteers. The Chamber also offered special thanks to this year’s sponsors: 4th of July Parade Presenting Sponsor – Edmonds Village, The Children’s Parade Presenting Sponsor – North Sound Church, 4th of July 5k Presenting Sponsor – Pacific Pro Group, Grand Event Rentals, Northwest Creations, Blooma Tree Experts, Salish Sea Brewing, The Plumbing Physician, Comstock Jewelers, Columbia Bank, Cline Jewelers and Spirit 105.3.
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