The parade returns July 18. Arrive early and enjoy.
File photo by Patrick Robinson
The West Seattle Grand Parade will return to California Avenue on Saturday, July 18, 2026, continuing one of the peninsula’s longest‑running community traditions. The parade begins at 11 a.m., traveling its classic route from SW Lander Street in the Admiral District and heading south to SW Edmunds Street in The Junction.
Organized by the West Seattle Rotary, the parade remains a Seafair‑sanctioned event and is expected to feature more than a hundred entries, including marching bands, drill teams, community groups, classic vehicles, and perennial crowd‑pleasers like the Seafair Pirates and Clowns. Rotary organizers say the 2026 edition will maintain the parade’s focus on neighborhood pride and local participation.
The morning will kick off with the Float Dodger 5K, which sends runners down the parade route ahead of the main event. The kids’ dash begins at 8:45 a.m., followed by the 5K at 9:30 a.m., with proceeds supporting local nonprofits.
The parade costs roughly $11,000 to stage each year, and organizers are seeking sponsors to help sustain the event. Community members are encouraged to line the route early, as the parade traditionally draws thousands of spectators.