Old-fashioned fun on the Fourth for thousands in downtown Kirkland

Excitement filled the air on July Fourth as kids, parents, grandparents, dogs and even a child with a doll dressed in its USA finest proudly marched in Kirkland’s children’s parade in downtown Kirkland.

By Peggy Kunkel • July 6, 2011 5:03 pm
A Kirkland youngster does a backflip inside a trampoline that was set up for the Fourth of July parade in downtown Kirkland.
A Kirkland youngster does a backflip inside a trampoline that was set up for the Fourth of July parade in downtown Kirkland.

Excitement filled the air on July Fourth as thousands of kids, parents, grandparents, dogs and even a child with a doll dressed in its USA finest proudly marched in Kirkland’s children’s parade in downtown Kirkland.

Bicycles, unicycles, scooters and wagons were decked out in red, white and blue for the occasion, delighting thousands of spectators along the route.

And that was just the first parade of the day. The larger old-fashioned parade followed. Veterans groups marched, bands blared out patriotic songs, and local businesses and community groups greeted onlookers as they moved through the festive streets.

As a gymnastics group went by, a small spectator named Emma stated, “Mom, look at that, couldn’t I do that?”

Mayor Joan McBride noted that “the idea for an old-fashioned parade was a gem of an idea many years ago. … Kirkland needed a family event.

“This is our signature hometown parade,” McBride continued. “Half of the people in Kirkland are in the parade and the other half of the people watch.”

For 12 years, the volunteer-run Celebrate Kirkland organization has produced Kirkland’s July Fourth celebration. The event started small and has grown to be the largest community event in Kirkland, organizers said.

Deputy Mayor Penny Sweet, one of the event founders, said they had 77 entrants in the parade, and the kids’ parade was the biggest it has ever been with 2,500-4,000 kids.

“There had to be 10,000 people in town – it was pretty amazing,” Sweet added.

And parades were just one part of the day’s festivities. The Rotary Club of Kirkland held its annual Duck Dash, inviting participants to adopt a duck for a $5 ticket. More than 13,000 rubber ducks “competed” in the big race on Lake Washington as Rotarians used vacuums to blow the ducks into a tube.

Each participant had the opportunity to win a $5,000 grand prize. This annual event raises funds for scholarships for Kirkland High School and local college students, special-needs students, teacher of the year and other community services.

Later on, a brilliantly colored fireworks display exploded in the sky over Lake Washington to the delight of thousands of spectators, booming “Happy Birthday” to America.

Mayor McBride added: “No matter what your political beliefs are, this is a day to celebrate your country and your community.”

Duck Dash Winners

First Place

John and Amy Soltys, $5,000 cash

Second Place ($500 value)

Larry Chapman, Eval & 10 sessions w/pers. trainer – Totally Sound Fitness

Third Place ($450 value)

Ann Pierson, One night stay at the Woodmark hotel, Kirkland

Fourth Place ($300 value)

Judi Fesilowski/Dave Thompson, two VIP club tickets, Boeing Classic Golf Tournament

Fifth Place ($250 value)

Jeff Edwards, gift certificate – Ace Frames

Sixth Place ($200 Value)

Bob Mikolasy, kids bicycle presented by Kirkland Pediatrics

Seventh Place ($100 value)

Heather Rutledge,  gift certificate, Olive You Restaurant

Eighth Place ($100 value)

Thomas Miller, gift certificate, Milagro Cantina

Ninth Place ($50 value)

D.V. Hurst, gift certificate, Hoffman’s Fine Pastries

Tenth Place ($50 value)

Dennis Green, gift certificate, Ristorante Paradiso

Special thanks to Tad Sooter, who contributed photos of the Fourth of July fireworks over Lake Washington in Kirkland.

Peggy Kunkel is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.