Who's the Grand Marshal?

This year's Grand Marshal is the Green Team! The Green Team has 20 members, people who work to keep Kirkland "green" now and for the future.

The Green Team has set in place small goals for making Kirkland, Washington, a sustainable city. The team hopes to foster local green activities, design a Climate Action Plan, share ideas on environmental stewardship and sustainable strategies, and educate the community on green practices.

Going green has never been so red, white, and blue!

Confirmed Parade Participants!

You'll be seeing these businesses and organizations in the 2009 Kirkland Fourth of July parade! Wonder what they'll do with the "Red, white, and blue, and green all over" theme!

(Click on the names to get more info on the organization or business!)

• Bikini Beach (See their past float in the picture above!)


• Bombaii Cutters


• Butch Kent (with a great iconic vintage vehicle!)


• Evergreen Court


• The City of Kirkland's Green Team


• Mermaid Hair Extensions


• Peter Kirk Community Center and the Kirkland Steppers


• United States Army
  
  

Did we leave out your organization's or business's name? Email us at savekirklandfourth@gmail.com and we'll make sure to mention you!

Join First Baptist Church of Kirkland in the parade!

First Baptist Church of Kirkland will be marching in this year's Fourth of July parade! For all the info, click here.

We're excited to see First Baptist Church of Kirkland will be in the parade! Will you be marching with their group? We hope to see you there!

Kirkland Fourth Forecast: Blue Thunder!

In addition to the Rainbow City Marching Band, the Seahawks drumline, Blue Thunder, will be at this year's parade!

It's not a surprise that Kirkland loves the Seahawks (click here to see how much!), and we definitely love a drumline that sounds as festive as this one!

Not just Floating: March, Walk, or Cruise, or Coast!

Instead of being limited to the standard float, your possibilities are endless! Your "float" could be a...

• Drill Team




• Band




• Group of Animals (horses, dogs...trained parrots, anyone?)




• Car, Truck, or Trailer




• Group of Bicycles




• Something even better you can think of!

But, let's say you want to make a traditional float. Click here for instructions on building a small float platform. This float-making tutorial comes from some parade pros at the Portland Rose Festival. You can use their tips for making a couple mini floats, letting each of your group members in on the action.

By now, you should be feeling inspired! Send us some hints on what you're making; we'll do our best to keep it under wraps!

Good luck!

Meet a 2009 Kirkland Fourth Band!

We're excited to announce that the Rainbow City Marching Band will be returning this year! They've marched in Kirkland's Fourth of July celebrations for years, and it wouldn't be a parade without the Rainbow City Marching Band!

The Rainbow City Marching Band comes from the Rainbow City Band, a group of around 75 musicians. In addition to the marching band, Rainbow City's members perform concerts and form a swing band called Purple Passion.

Watch this video, and you'll know why the Rainbow City Marching Band is one of the best parts of Kirkland's Fourth of July!

Your Hit Parade: Get Inspired!

Now that you've decided to be in Kirkland's Fourth parade this year, you have your group together, and you just need a float. How can you get inspired? Well, there are 2 things to keep in mind:

1. This year's theme is Red, White, Blue and Green All Over: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!


2. Your group's/organization's/business's message can be part of your theme!

Let's say you have a cafe. Your cafe uses reusable dishes, cloth napkins, and vintage decor and furniture. Your float could have a table on it with some volunteer "patrons" enjoying a meal. You could showcase the cloth napkins, glasses, and vintage furniture. You could even make a giant "menu" with the main courses "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" and the name of your cafe on it. It's eye-catching and easy to make.

Maybe you and your group work at a bicycle shop. Cyclists reduce carbon footprints every day! Grab some red, white, blue (and green) helmets, bikes, and gear from your store. Have your group ride the bikes together in the parade! You don't even need a float platform—you and your group will be the float!

All you have to do is ask yourself and your group this question: What does our business/organization/group do that's green? Once you have the answer, add some touches of red, white, and blue, and you're good to go!

Check out our parade photo album for more inspiration!

Everybody Loves a Parade!

But have you ever been in one? Now's the time—grab your float-making group and get a parade entry! Sign up online here!

The entry deadline is June 14th!

There is an entry fee, but here's the good part: if you've got a group of people chipping in, it costs hardly anything per person! Let's do some quick math and we'll show you

Cost

• $50 for nonprofits
• $100 for politicial candidates and forprofits (like businesses)

Let's say your group is a business, and 6 people are going to make the float. Each person pays less than $17!

Or if you've got a nonprofit and eight people are in the float-making group, each person pays only $6.25!

****Sign up now!****

Float (most definitely) On!

What are you waiting for? The Fourth of July will be here in just a little over a month—do you have a float idea? We're going to give you tips and ideas on building a float for Kirkland's 2009 Fourth of July parade!

The first question is, who should help make your float? (Unless of course you're feeling very adventurous and want to go it alone.)

Here are places you can find a group to build a float:

Your yoga/Spanish/algebra class
Your family
Your friends
Your book/moms/running club
Your co-workers
Your church group
Your sports team
Your neighbors

Go call or email some people—you've got a float to make!

Next time...how to sign up!