Celebrate Kirkland

Kenworth Truck Company and the Lee Johnson Auto Family are proud sponsors of Celebrate Kirkland.  Thank you for sponsoring! 

Thank you to our participating Business Sponsors: 

Volunteers are crucial to the success of Celebrate Kirkland! We are seeking 200 volunteers to support the event on July 4.

Volunteers are needed on the parade route, helping spectators with questions, and assisting with crowd safety. Other volunteers will assist with specific elements such as the Kid’s Pavilion, Veteran’s area, parade staging, and awards. Event day volunteers must be age 16 or older.

Read about the Celebrate Kirkland parade volunteer opportunities:  Volunteer-Positions-2024.pdf(PDF, 214KB)  

1. Sign up to be an event volunteer!

 Click here: 2024 Celebrate Kirkland Individual Volunteer Agreement for Youth & Adults

2. You'll receive an email confirming your volunteer assignment. 

3. One week prior to the event, you'll receive detailed information about the event, such as arrival, parking, and check-in logistics.

Group Volunteer Opportunities Available
We'd love to have your company, organization, club, team, or other group volunteer at the Celebrate Kirkland Parade. Please contact our staff at CelebrateKirkland@kirklandwa.gov for information about group volunteering and to register. Great for families, groups of friends, church groups, work groups, and more! 

Community Planning Committee for Celebrate Kirkland
Join our Community Planning Committee! We’re seeking community members (age 18+) to help with advanced planning for Celebrate Kirkland. Meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month at City Hall in the Peter Kirk Room from 5:30-7:00 PM. The Community Planning Committee assists both before and during Celebrate Kirkland with each central parade element, including float area staging, coordinating veterans, the Kid’s Parade, Kid’s Pavilion, Parade Route coordination, and grandstand. Please contact Jazmine Quintero at jquintero@Kirklandwa.gov or call 425-587-3312 to learn more about joining the planning committee. Celebrate Kirkland Planning Committee Application

Meet  our 25th Anniversary Celebrate Kirkland July 4th Parade Grand Marshal!

Doug Davis

Doug Davis is the President and Designated Broker of Hallmark Realty Corp, located in Kirkland, WA. He first came to Kirkland in 1973 and has been in the Real Estate industry for over 50 years. Doug is a veteran who served in the US Navy Submarine Service during the Vietnam War. He has served on the following boards in various leadership positions.

• The Northwest Multiple Listing Service located in Kirkland, in various positions and as a Past Chairman of the board.
• The Independent Brokers Association as past President and VP of education and events.
• The Kirkland Chamber of Commerce is a Past President and was VP of events for 6 years, plus other committees with the Chamber.
• The Kirkland Downtown Association has been a Past President and board member for over 15 years.
• The Kirkland Business round table.
• The Sustainability Foundation, which puts on semiannual educational events, some of them in conjunction with the City of Kirkland.

In addition to the above, Doug served on a variety of other committees serving the Kirkland community. 4 bond issues, the Downtown Action Team, the Lake and Central Reach Out Team, and others. Has been involved with events like the Kirkland Waterfront Car Show, Summerfest, Oktoberfest, Winterfest, The Kirkland Concourse, 4th of July cleanup, and clean sweep for over 20 years. In his early years, Doug served as a coach, board member, and facilities director at the Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association.

Over the past twenty years, Bonnie Lindberg has been by his side, supporting his many endeavors. Doug has five children, eight grandchildren, four Grand Dogs, and three Grand Cats. He loves whitewater rafting, flying, dancing, reading, going to the theater, and spending time with his kids and grandkids.

Over the last 25 years, Doug has been a quiet yet mighty volunteer, contributing to the success of the Celebrate Kirkland July 4th Parade. We thank you for your service to the community and are proud to have you as our Grand Marshal, commemorating the 25th anniversary of Celebrate Kirkland!

Head to the downtown business district of Kirkland and find your favorite spectator spot along the parade route. The main parade will feature approximately 100 entries including floats, musical and dance performers, civic organizations, car and animal groups, and more! Visit this web page often for updates as we plan the 25th annual Celebrate Kirkland Parade! 

Kids Giveaways & Character Princess Photo Opportunities 
10:30 AM 

Lakeshore Plaza near Marina Park 

Kids Parade
11:30 AM

Lakeshore Plaza Near Marina Park 

Main Parade
12:00 PM 

Anywhere along the parade route 

25th Anniversary Mural 

10:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Central and Lake Streets 

The 'Kids Giveaways" will be in the Lakeshore Plaza parking lot. Kids will have plenty of room to spread out so they can decorate their bikes, trikes, strollers, and wagons! Grab some patriotic giveaways while supplies last.

After decorating, gather up for the Kids Parade. Walk the parade, and wave to the crowd! This shorter parade route will give you plenty of time to then find a good place to be ready to watch the main parade. 

NEW! Calling all teens ages 11-19! Join us information booth at Lakeshore Plaza. Walk in the Kids parade with our Kirkland Teen Union Building staff. Represent your teen spirit and KTUB! Meet at 10:30 AM. 

Thank you to our Kids Parade sponsor, Max Rombakh of Winderemere Real Estate! 

Kids Decorating Pavilion/Lakeshore Plaza

 10:30 AM

Teens meet up with KTUB Staff 

10:30 AM

Line up for the Kids Parade
11:15 AM

Kids Parade Start
11:30 Am

Event Details

• The Kids Parade is open to kids and their family members
• The Kids Parade is strictly for walking, biking or pulling wagons
• Parade is a shorter version of the Main Parade route
• Look for the Kids Parade start line signage at Marina Park 
• Take selfies with character princesses and superheros before the Kids Parade at the Lakeshore Plaza lot from 10:30-11:30 am

Download a printable PDF version of the map(PDF, 297KB) .

All entries lined up by 10am will be considered for an award

Kirkland Best in Show (Gold Cup)
Best overall entry that rates high in originality, spirit/engagement, and appearance.

Spirit of Kirkland Award
How well does this entry incorporate the Spirit of Kirkland? It could include Kirkland’s beloved parks, waterfront activities, community engagement, local sports, or growth in its theme.

Most Patriotic Award
This will be awarded to an entry that best captures the purpose of why we celebrate the 4th of July.  

We Care About Kirkland Award
This award is specifically for a non-profit and/or community organization that aims to make Kirkland a better place to live, work, and play.

Support Local Kirkland Award 
This award is specifically for small, local businesses that are the foundation of Kirkland’s business community.

Sustainable Kirkland Award
How well does this entry reflect Kirkland’s commitment to caring about our environment? It could highlight recycling, upcycling, reducing waste, or protecting the environment.

Judging Criteria

Originality:
How unique and interesting is the entry? How does the entry stand out among other entries?

Spirit/Engagement: 
How much energy and fun does the entry radiate to spectators? Does the entry grab and hold the spectator’s attention?

Overall Appearance: 
Does the design, style, use of color, and materials make an impact? How cohesive and coordinated is the unit?

Winning Entries 

Winning entries are provided a banner to hold while walking the parade route, indicating the category won. Banners are to be returned at the end of the parade. In addition, a trophy is given to each winning entry as a keepsake.

If you have any questions, please visit www.Kirklandwa.gov/CelebrateKirkland or email Jazmine Quintero at Jquintero@kirklandwa.gov 

Celebrate Kirkland Event Safety Reminders:

• The forecast looks like a warm one – don’t forget to bring a water bottle!
• Bring sun protection like a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
• Have a plan of where to meet if you get separated from your group
• Take a group picture beforehand in case you get separated and need to describe the group
• Bring a spare key for your car and home in case you misplace one
• Keep a hard copy of important phone numbers in case your phone gets lost, runs out of power, or has no connection
• Don’t forget to bring your ID and keep it with you

This map indicates public street parking locations around the parade route.  Please also refer to our downtown public parking map linked below for additional free and paid parking locations within Kirkland.  There is no parking within the parade zone from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm. Roads will be closed.  See our parade route map for ADA parking locations just outside of the parade zone. 

FAQs

 Who organizes Celebrate Kirkland?
Celebrate Kirkland is organized by the City of Kirkland.  Prior to 2023, the parade was created and organized by the Kirkland Downtown Association.

 Will the parade happen if it rains?
Yes. Celebrate Kirkland is a rain or shine event.

 Will there be fireworks show this year for Celebrate Kirkland?
The City of Kirkland’s July 4th event is a parade-only experience. There will be no fireworks show. We understand this is a change for many community members, and we hope the event will continue to be special for Kirkland and continue to bring the community together. Public firework displays can pose environmental health hazards and be disruptive and stressful for people, wildlife, and domestic animals. As such, the cost and permitting complexity associated with a public display have significantly increased in recent years. For Kirkland community members who wish to include fireworks as part of their celebration, plenty of cities in King County will have displays, including Bellevue, Kenmore, Sammamish, and Seattle.

Am I allowed to bring my dog to the parade?
Leashed dogs are welcome at the parade, but please be aware it will be crowded. if your dog doesn't do well in busy areas, we encourage you to consider leaving your dog at home. If your dog does accompany you, please bring water and poop bags for them.

 Are drones allowed?
No. For safety reasons, drones will not be allowed during the parade for spectators, parade entrants or anywhere nearby while the parade is happening.

 What areas of Kirkland will be closed during Celebrate Kirkland?
The downtown business core will be closured during the event. This includes Marina Park, Lakeshore Plaza, areas of Market Street, Central Way, portions of Lake Street, Kirkland Ave, Main Street, areas of 1st Ave, 2^nd Ave, and 3^rd Ave. Some streets in the Market neighborhood will also be temporarily closed for float staging on event day. See our website with parade map accordion.

 Where can I park during the event?
Some public parking areas indicated on our City Parking Map may not be accessible on parade day. Spectators are encouraged to park just outside the parade map area to find public parking opportunities.  Public parking is also available at City Hall located at 123 5th Ave in Kirkland. Click here for details:  City Parking Map or check out our map section on this page for parking just outside of the parade route specifically.

Celebrate Kirkland, now in its 25th year, is proud to be produced by the City of Kirkland. Celebrate Kirkland was created in 1999 by dedicated community members and business owners and was formally organized by the Kirkland Downtown Association (KDA).The City looks forward to the parade, making it a "Where We Come Together" event to celebrate our community, friends, and family. Everyone is welcome. Let's keep the tradition going! 

Parade Order List Alphabetical Order for Parade Entries: 

ALPHABETICAL-PARADE-ORDER-CELEBRATE-KIRKLAND-JULY-4-v.1.pdf(PDF, 135KB)

Registration for parade participation is now closed.

The parade is a great way to engage with your community. Thousands of spectators line the streets to view floats, marching bands, community-based organizations, performance groups, civil servants, and more. Join our 25th year by clicking on the registration link below.

APPLICATION FORM & PARADE GUIDELINES

Parade Application links

• Apply to be in the parade!(PDF, 112KB)
• CELEBRATE-KIRKLAND-PARADE-GUIDELINES-2024(PDF, 112KB)

For our 25th Anniversary - Apply for a Parade Float Mini Grant!

• Apply for a $500 Parade Float Mini Grant!
• 2024 Parade Float Mini Grant Details(PDF, 182KB)

PARADE ENTRY SELECTION

• Entry selections will be made by the City of Kirkland, in its sole discretion.
• Entry selection will be limited to approximately 100 entries to ensure parade length.
• Entries will be selected by City Staff based on their entertainment value, uniqueness, size, appearance, community appeal, and reinforcement of the basic mission of the parade.
• Entries highlighting our area’s cultural diversity are highly encouraged to apply.
• Restrictions on the number of entries within types or categories:
  • Some parade entries utilizing numerous vehicles may be asked to limit the number of vehicles in their entry.
  • Other types or categories may be limited based on City Staff’s review of the variety of applicants. 
• Questions? Email us at CelebrateKirkland@Kirklandwa.gov