Photos: (clockwise starting at the upper left) Dan Krehbiel, Penny Sweet, Kellie Jordan on bikes; First Baptist Church of Kirkland float; a cheeky crowd charmer; Police Chief Eric Olsen driving; Grand Marshal Dr. Bonnie Dunbar; Kirkland City Council fire engine with Mayor Lauinger, and Councilmembers Asher, Greenway and Hodgson; Deputy Mayor McBride; Councilmembers Sternoff and Burleigh; Kirkland Heritage Society cars; Kirkland Rotary Duck float

The 9th annual Celebrate Kirkland 4th of July Parade thrilled both the young and the old with a children’s parade, marching bands, local heroes, floats and politicians. This 2008 parade theme was “Space, The Final Frontier” in honor of NASA’s 50th anniversary and we were fortunate to have  Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, a NASA astronaut as our Grand Marshal.

A big thank you to the countless Celebrate Kirkland volunteers, donors and participants who help make this the biggest celebration of the year. The parade (followed by the many other festivities of the day) is one of those events that keeps Kirkland feeling like a small town. On this day our heritage is very much on display, proudly, for the world to see. It is one of the many reasons I am proud to be a citizen of Kirkland.

Philip Zurcher of Renton and his children Ben, Natalie and Leila (above) were here to participate in the Children’s parade. Says Zurcher, “We come here every year because it is the only children’s parade in the area.” Ben’s helicopter with spinning rotors gets my vote for best float!

2008 Parade Winners:

1st Place     Roof Truss Supply/West of Market Neighborhood

2nd Place    1st Baptist Church

3rd Place    Blue Thunder Drum Band

Thank you to Penny Sweet, Kellie Jordan and Dan Krehbiel for organizing, conducting and presenting a fantastic show.  And many thanks to the City staff and officers who worked throughout the day to make this event run so smoothly.

We have posted a number of photos from the parade at http://gallery.mac.com/rob.butcher/100107

King 5 Television ran a story on a local war hero in the Kirkland parade. Chief Petty Officer Robert Lee Harrison, US Navy (Ret). is a veteran of three wars, one of the first Navy Seals and the recipient of two Purple Hearts. He is also the father of Jodi Bardinelli, Kirkland Wednesday Market  Director.

Watch the King 5 video here: http://www.king5.com/video/news-index.html?nvid=260598&she=1