The folks at Celebrate Wallingford, Celebrate Wallingford, are planning a fun community event on July 13th starting at 11:00 a.m. with the Wallingford Parade that organizes at Meridian Park and ending at the Wallingford Playfield for a Picnic at the Park—a park to park event!
Now in its seventh decade in Wallingford, this Seafair parade has morphed from the Wallingford Kiddie Parade into the more inclusive, Wallingford Parade, and promises fun and a new opportunity for a Picnic in the Park following the parade at the Wallingford Play Field.
Starting at Bagley Ave. N., parade participants will walk west on N. 45th, to Interlake Ave. N. Here they turn south at Interlake and dispersing in front of Lincoln High School. They can continue walking down Interlake to N. 43rd, which is a greenway, and then east for two blocks to the Wallingford Playfield. Intersections on Interlake Ave. N. and N. 43rd will be blocked to vehicle traffic on this route. The results of judging for drill team and trophies will be given out at The Wallingford Play Field. The wading pool at the Wallingford Playfield is scheduled to be open on July 13th as well, offering some fun for kiddos. The gathering of friends and neighbors at the Wallingford Farmer’s market was the inspiration for this event. Bring a picnic basket, a blanket, your appetite and meet your friends and family at the Picnic in the Park!
If you are looking for food options, on the way to the parade is Wallingford landmark, Dicks. Grab and go is their forte and they have sponsored the Wallingford Parade for many years. Another option is offered by QFC/Kroger, also a parade sponsor. You will find a hot dog stand supplied by Boars Head Brand with quality hotdogs, in the NE corner of their parking lot on N. 45th Street. The deli inside has many grab and go options. A third parade sponsor, Silver Tray Thai on corner of 45th and Meridian is a great source for good Thai food, order on-line for quick pick-up. There are many other food options in the neighborhood.
The Master of Ceremonies for the parade will be our local historian, Feliks Banel. Feliks is a host and resident historian for KIRO News radio and is an Emmy-winning television writer and producer. Feliks is a long-time Wallingford resident, and his banter will describe the parade participants as they pass by the judges table at the Wallingford Center.
The theme for 2024 Wallingford Parade is Be a Hero! What hero comes to mind for you? How about the people from the Seattle Fire Department, who run into burning buildings to save people, pets, and property? We look forward to a fire apparatus, hopefully a shiny red Seattle Fire Truck leading the parade (just in case they must leave in a hurry!) and set the pace for a fun filled event. Also, when your power goes out—who do you call? Seattle City Light and a 45’ basket truck and a group of their hero’s are registered for the parade.
Unicycles, Girls and Boy Scouts, Drill Teams, Marching Bands, Clowns, floats and more …. You can still participate in the parade this year! Dress up your kids and group with friends to walk in the parade, built a float, you still have time to sign up at Celebrate Wallingford. Invite your friend and family to come watch the event and then Picnic in the Park!
Volunteer
A shout out to the team from Key Bank for volunteering to help with the set up for the parade this year. You will know them by their T-Shirts! You can help make this event run smoothly and safely by volunteering to help with the barricades and other set up and dismantling tasks. Contact Patti Gray Whan at [email protected] if you would like to help. For those of you looking at the bigger picture—if you support this community event, more help is needed on the planning level. Volunteers are needed for leadership of Celebrate Wallingford, the organization that plans, promotes, and presents the Wallingford Parade. Please check out the website Celebrate Wallingford to learn more and contact the group.
Let’s show some Wallingford pride—see you on July 13th!