Downtown Edmonds streets were filled with holiday revelers Monday for the 2022 Edmonds Kind of Fourth of July parade, sponsored by the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce. Approximately 80 entries — ranging from war veterans to dancing horses to bagpipers — kept parade-goers entertained.
There were costumed super hero and Star Wars characters; Meadowdale High School’s dance team and football players; and a large contingent from Pacific Little League. The Mariner Moose mascot, riding an electric skateboard, was a crowd favorite.
Diversity was a theme, from the Edmonds Diversity Commission to Pride of Edmonds to Japanese students participating in an Edmonds College-affiliated study-abroad program. There was a sprinkling of politicians, nonprofit organzations from Girl Scouts to the Edmonds Boys and Girls Club to the Edmonds Food Bank, and kids performing Irish dances and martial arts. The League of Women Voters had a contingent, as did Moms Demand Action. along with service organizations like the Edmonds Rotary Club and the Hazel Miller Foundation. Not to mention many local businesses.
In addition, the family-favorite children’s parade — featuring an array of kids riding on decorated bikes and scooters or being pulled in wagons — returned after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There were local dignitaries, including Parade Grand Marshal Deborah Brandi, executive director of the Foundation for Edmonds School District; 2022 Citizen of the Year Al Compaan, retired Edmonds police chief; and Edmonds Mayor Mike Nelson (apologies in advance that our camera was on the wrong side of the street to capture the mayor’s appearance this year).
The parade ended, fittingly, with a tribute to Edmonds Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Greg Urban, who is moving out of the area. He waved to the crowd from a golf cart in what was his last official duty as chamber president.
The winning parade entries were as follows:
Most patriotic: North Sound Church
Most original: Sons of Norway
Funniest: Salish Sea Brewing
Mayor’s trophy: Pacific Little League
Best decorated: Edmonds Floretum Garden Club
Chamber trophy: CG Engineering
Note that we shot videos of both the Children’s and Main Parade and will provide those links as soon as they are available.
— Story and photos by Teresa Wippel
Thank you from those of us who couldn’t attend!
Those were an excellent display of photos that captured the Edmonds 4th parade. The event is such a wonderful slice of small town America. Thanks Teresa
Many thanks to Greg Urban, Erica Sugg, Alicia Moreno and all the volunteers of the Edmonds Chamber for a great 4th of July Parade ! And, boy, did we need a parade! Me and my wife loved the Dancing Horses, Bagged Pipes, and seeing the Mariners Moose !
RICHARD & LINDA BOLOGNA
Edmonds, WA
My first time seeing the Edmonds parade. Great fun! Thanks to all who who were part of the parade. There was one big missing piece for me, however; no marching bands! That’s the heart of a parade for me. Are there not enough high school band members around to get groups together, as well as other bands, marching or on truck beds. I loved the bag pipers. Thank goodness for them!
It is difficult to get marching bands from the high schools to participate during the summer months. In the past the Edmonds School District had a summer music school and musicians performed in the parade, but that practice was discontinued due to COVID and I’m not sure if they are coming back in the future.
A huge hole!
I know there are other community adult bands around. And that wonderful high school jazz group that plays periodically by the waterfront. Let’s get someone to donate a flatbed truck and give them and others who don’t march a platform to be included in the parade. Planning Committee: put an extra push out to get more music included, please!
Years ago our daughter had great fun playing and marching in Seattle’s All-City Band. They are performing this summer season; COVID is behind them. If the Edmonds Schools’ summer music program is still defunct next year, parade organizers should contact All-City Band~ they regularly perform in suburban cities, this year from Snohomish to Kent.
I wonder if we could get a high school band together if we had a sponsor.
The sponsor could pay the leader and perhaps give a school money to help organize it.
It is worth looking into. I agree that bands really help the spirit of the parade.
If you want more music in a parade . . .
There may still be time this year … ?
The Tour de Terrace is right around the corner – July 22 at 6:45 “next door” in Mountlake Terrace, https://tourdeterrace.org/
Another chance for a local festival with all the trimmings, including parade, live music and fireworks and more
I don’t have the slightest idea what they have planned musically, but I’m sure the Smith family (as in the former mayor Jerry) would love to have your help
I really wanted to attend with my 3.5 yr old daughter but was unable to. Some of my best memories from childhood were from 4th of July parade.
We’ll make it next year. Though I’m interested if anyone has any tips for getting any sort of spot along the route, and parking. I’ve read that chairs can be setup along route after 6pm on the day prior to parade – does someone need to stay with those chairs until the next day?
Yep, people just leave their empty chairs out alone overnite! That being said, I’d probably use my least favorite outdoor chairs just in case the year I finally do it is the first one where something happens to them. 😉 Those chairs could be placeholders and then you could swap in your luxury chairs/stroller/wagon the day of. We also had luck getting a spot up on 6th the night before, so remember you don’t have to be on Main or on 5th, just anywhere on the route.