Edmonds Kind of 4th parade Archives - VFW Post 8870 and Auxiliary

Edmonds Kind of 4th Parade!

Author: Editor August 27, 2022

For many years our local veterans groups have provided the color guard to lead our “Edmonds Kind of 4th Parade and 2022 was no exception.

This year’s parade featured over 80 entries of local groups, from our local community.

Parade announcers were, once again, Past Commanders Jim Blossey and Mike Denton, who have performed that role for over ten years.

VFWPost 8870 color guard, with our comrades from Post 66 American Legion, once again lead the parade

Right is one of the entries in the children’s parade, which precedes the main parade and features our local youngsters, who bring considerable creativity to their entries. (no doubt with a bit of help from Mom & Dad) Always nice to see these young patriots waving their flag.

Below is the Northwest Jr. Pipe band, providing a bit of Marching music.

Followed by the annual BBQ

Of course, we can’t have Independence Day without our annual picnic/barbecue at the Legion Hall. Approximately 60 members of Post 66 American Legion and VFW Post 8870 and their guests enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad and assorted other sides following the parade. Your editor was pleased that his comrades had left some food for him, since he always arrives a bit late after announcing duties.

In the photo below are a few of the members and guests who attended.

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Edmonds Kind of 4th parade

Post Members Participate in the 111th “Edmonds Kind of 4th” Parade

Author: Editor July 21, 2018

With three 100 year old members!

A large contingent of VFW and American Legion members participated in the annual “Edmonds Kind of 4th” Parade, stepping off at noon on a beautiful July 4 in downtown Edmonds. Jim Traner arranged for and towed a flat bed trailer equipped with chairs for those who may walk with difficulty, as others marched along behind the colors.

Three of our comrades attending the parade this year celebrate reaching the century mark.

Ed Shepherd (100 on July 4), Don Raliegh and Buck Weaver all will reach that milestone this year.

At above, the VFW Post 8870 color guard leads the parade.

Thanks to Dick Simmons for organizing the color guard and to its members for their efforts. Walking a mile and a half with those flags under a warm sun is a bit of work.

American Gold Star Mothers

The American Gold Star Mothers brought something new to the parade this year, arranging for banners with the images of theiir fallen loved ones to be carried in the parade.

Chamber organizers passed on this comment:

“I attended with my young family and thought it was the best parade yet (and they are all good!). In particular, I especially enjoyed the group who brought huge pictures of soldiers from our area who had died in service. It was very moving and special and felt patriotic to STAND as they passed and explain to my children why we STAND.

Naturally, we also love the veterans when they go by and stand for them too.”

Above, VFW Post 8870 member Kerry Watkings distributes flags for parade goers along the route.

Below, Kerry is joined by Post 8870 Quartermaster Dennis Peterson.

Photos courtesy Edmonds Chamber of Commerce

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4th of July Parade, Edmonds Kind of 4th parade

Annual July 4th Parade and Barbecue!

Author: Editor July 10, 2017

A large contingent of veterans, members of VFW Post 8870 and our friends from American Legion Post 66, as well as others from the Military order of the Purple Heart, lined up in downtown Edmonds to participate in the annual “Edmonds Kind of 4th” parade.

Veterans formed the leading color guard for the parade and received an extremely warm and enthusistic response from the huge crowd lining the streets. The parade follows an approximately 1.9 mile course through downtown Edmonds, which takes it through the entire downtown area. We were fortunate to have several jeep type vehicles to allow some of our senior members to participate.

Following the parade, our usual barbecue took place at the American Legion Hall, where our wonderful crew of set up people and grillmasters put together a terrific meal of hamburgers, hot dogs and appropriate salad, chips and drinks.