City Announces 2026 Celebrate Kirkland Grand Marshals

Published on June 16, 2026

Image of Larry Springer and Penny Sweet at Celebrate Kirkland

Media Contact:
David Wolbrecht
Communications Program Manager
dwolbrecht@kirklandwa.gov

Former Kirkland Mayor Penny Sweet and retiring Washington State Representative Larry Springer will serve as the 2026 Celebrate Kirkland Grand Marshals. The two longtime public servants will lead the annual Fourth of July parade in honor of their contributions to Kirkland. The event will bring joy, color, and community spirit to the downtown business district on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

“For decades, Penny and Larry have helped make Kirkland the welcoming, livable community we love — on the council, as mayors, in the legislature, and as business owners in the heart of downtown,” said Deputy Mayor Neal Black. “It’s only fitting that the two of them, who helped launch Celebrate Kirkland in 1999, will lead this year’s parade.”

Celebrate Kirkland brings together neighbors, friends, and visitors for a family-friendly parade filled with performances, decorated floats, local organizations, and hometown pride. Festivities begin with kids’ decorating stations at Lakeshore Plaza, where young participants can get parade-ready. The kids’ parade starts at 11:30 a.m., followed by the main parade at 12 p.m.

This year, Celebrate Kirkland will honor 250 years of American independence. The event will open with the National Anthem, and Mayor Kelli Curtis will speak at a reception for our honored veterans. Spectators can expect a vibrant mix of community groups, performers, businesses, and more.

We thank our sponsors, Kenworth Truck Company, Lee Johnson Auto Family, Amazon, and Kitagaito Orthodontics, for making this celebration possible.

Be prepared for road closures and parking restrictions on July 4 in downtown Kirkland. For more event information, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/celebratekirkland.

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