Parade chairs removed for violating new policy — wait until 6 PM July 3

Got your chairs ready? The city and the chamber ask that you wait until 6 PM July 3 to put them along the July 4th parade route.
Got your chairs ready? The city and the chamber ask that you wait until 6 PM July 3 to put them along the July 4th parade route.

The City of Edmonds says it has already removed the first set of chairs put out too early for the Edmonds Kind of 4th of July parade, and reminds parade goers to wait until after 6 p.m. July 3 to save their spot.

Edmonds Mayor Dave Earling confirmed that the first set of chairs, placed in front of Starbucks Monday night, were removed by the city Tuesday morning.

Any other chairs or other items placed in the right-of-way along the parade route before 6 p.m. July 3 will be removed by the Public Works Department. They may be retrieved during regular business hours at the Public Works Building at 7110 – 210th St. S.W. The phone number is 425-771-0235.

The city issued a news release Tuesday morning reminding parade watchers to wait until after 6 p.m. July 3 to place their chairs, in the interest of safe passage for pedestrians and access to local businesses.

Parade goers are asked to “refrain from chaining or otherwise attaching chairs to each other and to stationary items such as trees, sign posts, etc.”

This policy “is to allow parade-goers to stake out their viewing places in advance, as has been the tradition, but to also avoid the safety and access concerns of lengthy sidewalk obstructions well in advance of the Fourth,” the news release said.

“Edmonds has one of the best small-town Fourth of July celebrations around, and we all look forward to the annual festivities that make this day so special,” Earling said. “Following these important rules allows everyone to enjoy a safe and happy holiday.”

Added Edmonds Chamber of Commerce President Greg Urban: “For 109 years, the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce has been proud to sponsor this beloved parade and all-day party to celebrate America’s birthday. We want to thank everyone for helping us keep our streets and sidewalks safe during this popular celebration.”

For more information about Edmonds 4th of July festivities,visit the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce website at www.edmondswa.com.

  1. I double like this! Go Edmonds! Setting out your chairs almost a week early is ridiculous and takes something away from the parade/festivities.

  2. GOOD JOB! I still feel this practice of ‘planting chairs’ is unfair but at least they cannot do it until after 6:00 on the 3rd which will help more people to be able to get a spot for the Parade.
    Thank You!

  3. Perhaps we should adopt a new way of reserving “seats” before the 4th. How about some Sidewalk Chalk writing/stating “this spot reserved for ___”? I personally don’t think anybody should be able to plant chairs early as it seems to be too problematic than good. I dunno.. this is getting ridiculous if you ask me.

  4. I completely agree with what the City is doing, however I wonder if the people who had and will have chairs removed will read these articles. Chair ‘planters’ might accuse others of stealing or removing chairs. Hopefully the City will have personnel down on the parade route explaining why chairs are gone.

  5. Looks like a canned shot from another year. Real Huskies are smart enough to know that picture is not from the front of Starbucks at the fountain. Go Dogs!!!

    1. This was indeed a shot from a previous year — and for the record, as a Seattle U. grad I have no “dog” in the Huskies vs. Cougars fight. — Teresa

  6. Good job City of Edmonds…so ridiculous to set out chairs a week in advance of the parade.

  7. Kudos to the City of Edmonds for removing the chairs today. Come on people – it’s not even July yet. Putting chairs out a week early is a little excessive – wait until after 6 p.m. on the 3rd or better yet, just watch the parade from the comfort of your own homes.

  8. So It looks like I can put out blankets or a tarp and tape them down before 6 on Sunday – that would still let the sidewalks to be accessible!
    Who’s paying for the overtime for city workers to remove the chairs on the weekend? The taxpayer or is the chamber picking up the tab?

  9. Tom, from above “Any other chairs or other items placed in the right-of-way along the parade route before 6 p.m. July 3 will be removed by the Public Works Department.” Tarp and tape or blankets seem to be classified as “other items”. What is not clear is the staffing issues and costs.

  10. Try not to stand behind these people…When the parade comes along, they will stand up in front of you.

  11. or . . . do it right!

    make a party out of it!

    i hear people complain about Edmonds rolling up the street too early

    instead of leaving chairs/blankets/etc – camp out with the stuff!

    they’ve been doing it for decades elsewhere!

  12. I agree to a party victor! Great idea – been doing it for years at our parade spot in Edmonds!

  13. Walking at the market this morning and see spaces being reserved with fabrics in front of Coldwell Banker Bain! It just happens to run the entire width of the storefront?? Is this a Chamber member not obeying their own rules as per the press release?
    I think this needs to be removed so as to not get things started!!
    I’d post a picture but not sure how to

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