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: 

Parade Order 

This list is subject to change: Celebrate Kirkland 2025 Parade Order(PDF, 154KB)
Please check in with staff according to the instructions in the Parade Participant Packet.

Application Form & Guidelines

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 26th year by clicking on the registration link below.

•  2025 Parade Entry Application
• Celebrate Kirkland Parade Guidelines(PDF, 126KB)

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 review of the variety of applicants. 
• Questions? Email us at CelebrateKirkland@Kirklandwa.gov

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 offered: Volunteer Positions(PDF, 183KB)

1. Sign up to be an event volunteer! Volunteer Application
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.govfor 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 email CelebrateKirkland@kirklandwa.gov or call 425-587-3330 to learn more about joining the planning committee. 

 Celebrate Kirkland Planning Committee Application

John Chadwick, 2025 Grand Marshal

The City of Kirkland is proud to announce longtime Little League volunteer John Chadwick as the Grand Marshal for the 2025 Celebrate Kirkland Fourth of July Parade.

John has dedicated over five decades to youth sports, including 32 years as District Administrator for Washington Little League District 9 and more than 20 years as Director of the Junior League Softball World Series, an international event he helped launch and proudly brought to Kirkland in 1998. His leadership has elevated the visibility of girls’ sports and expanded opportunities for young athletes across the region.

John helped start Senior Baseball and Little League Softball programs, mentored thousands of volunteers, and grew local leagues from the ground up. Under his direction, the Junior League Softball World Series welcomed teams from across the U.S. and around the globe, bringing national attention and thousands of visitors to Kirkland each summer. Today, he continues to support the JLSWS tournament as Director Emeritus, offering guidance and encouragement to new leaders. Throughout it all, John’s late wife Ann was a steadfast volunteer by his side, both of them embodying the spirit of service they held dear.

One of John's greatest joys is running into former players who remember their Little League days. "It fills me with pride when a young person comes by me today and says, 'Hi Mr. Chadwick, I played in the Little League while you were District Administrator, and I enjoyed it very much.'" For John, that kind of connection is the heart of his work. "We as adults need to remember that it’s for the kids, and that’s what makes it good to be a small part of Little League."

John’s legacy has helped shape Kirkland as a place where youth, equity, and community thrive. His efforts have strengthened local athletic programs and brought lasting recognition to Kirkland as a host city and champion of girls' sports.

We are proud to have John Chadwick lead the 26th Annual Celebrate Kirkland Parade as the Grand Marshal. Be sure to give him a warm wave of thanks for his many contributions to Kirkland at this year’s event!

John's late wife Ann. Included in honor of her memory, Ann Chadwick is remembered for her many years of support to John and the community.

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 groups, and more!

National Anthem Singer

Devika Vyas is a Kirkland-based educator, event emcee, and actor with a background in Spanish instruction, community outreach, and cultural programming. She holds a Master’s in Teaching English and Spanish from NYU and currently leads outreach efforts across several local private schools.

Outside of education, Devika curates monthly open mics, plays the dhol, and collaborates on storytelling projects that center underrepresented voices. Her work focuses on building spaces for creative expression and community connection. She’s performing the national anthem this year as part of her ongoing commitment to local arts and civic engagement.

The Kids Decorating Station 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. Thanks to EvergreenHealth for sponsoring the Kids Parade.

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.

Schedule

• 10:30 AM - Kids Decorating Pavilion/Lakeshore Plaza
• 11:15 AM - Line up for the Kids Parade
• 11:30 AM - Kids Parade Start

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

Thanks to EvergreenHealth for sponsoring the Kids Parade.

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

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

Award Categories

Kirkland Best in Show 
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 through reducing carbon footprint as a few examples.

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 CelebrateKirkland@kirklandwa.gov

Celebrate Kirkland Event Safety Reminders:

• 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.

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 is 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 the parade map section on the Celebrate Kirkland webpage.

 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. See the City Parking Map or check out our map section on this page for parking just outside of the parade route specifically.

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. 

This map indicates public street parking locations around the parade route.  Please also refer to our downtown public parking map below for additional free and paid parking locations within Kirkland.  

Celebrate Kirkland, now in its 26th 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!