The 2012 West Seattle Grand Parade (preceded by the West Seattle Rotary Club Kiddie Parade) was a celebration of color, community and fun.

The winner of the overall trophy for best entry this year as determined by parade organizers and hosts the American Legion went to the Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band followed by the Chinese Community Girls Drill Team and the Sumner High School Marching Band.

More than 90 entries, made their way down California Avenue from the Admiral District to the West Seattle Junction and this year only two floats joined the procession, West Seattle Hi Yu's own Secret Garden float and the float from Marysville.

The rest of the entries were bands, drill teams, organizations, politicians and of course the Seafair Pirates and Seafair Clowns.

The Seattle Police Department Drill Team featured the retirement of their own Drillmaster John Bernasconi who, after 43 years in service, took the occasion of the parade to symbolically depart. He will lead the team for the rest of the season but Officer Eric Smith will take over as Drillmaster for 2013. The Boston Pipe and Drum Corps joined the parade this year, returning the favor of visits to their parade in the past by the SPD Pipe and Drum Corps.

The parade Grand Marshal was Nancy Woodland of WestSide Baby. That organization's Stuff The Bus effort is also happening on Sunday, July 22 from 10:00am to 2:00pm at American West Bank at 4022 SW Alaska Street just east of the West Seattle Junction.

The West Seattle Rotary Club preceded the Grand Parade and was a bit smaller this year. It was led by new elected Hi Yu Junior Court Royalty

Here's the list of this year's award winning entries:

Clowns & Comics

1. Seattle Seafair Clowns
2. Keystone Kops

Performing Acts

1. Pathfinder K-8 School (Unicycle Team)
2. Lake City Vigilantes
3. Seattle Seafair Pirates

Marching Bands

1. Kennedy Catholic High School Marching Band
2. Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder
3. Pacific Northwest Drumline (Tie)
3. Seattle Police Pipe & Drum Band

Drill Teams – Senior

1. Electronettes High Steppers Drill Team & Drumline
2. The Dolls Drill Team
3. Super Steppers Marching Team

Drill Teams – Junior

1. Electronettes Butterflys Drill Team
2. Washington Diamonds Drill Team
3. Daughters of Royalty Drill Team

Cars & Antique Cars

1. Pacific Northwest DeLorean Club
2. Last Resort Fire Department
3. Seattle Lutheran Schools

Commercial

1. Your Seattle City Light and the Northwest Tap Connection Dance Team
2. Luna Park Café
3. Seattle Public Utilities

Community

1. Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish & School
2. Little Gym of West Seattle
3. Westside Baby

Floats

1. Marysville Strawberry Festival

Overall Trophy Winners

1. Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band
2. Chinese Community Girls Drill Team
3. Sumner High School Marching Band