Community Matters

Parades Are a Living Expression of Community

March 11, 2025 - Around West Sound, Blog, Featured - Comments: 
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Armed Forces Day Parade
Armed Forces Day Parade

There’s something magical about a parade — standing on the sidewalk in anticipation, flanked by fellow parade-goers in a tangle of low-rise lawn chairs, the scene mirrored across the street. In the distance, you hear the rhythmic tapping of drumlines warming up and short bursts of scales from trumpets and trombones. Crowd chatter builds, carried on the rumble and revving of classic car engines — soon the envoy for local dignitaries and teen royalty. More than just a spectacle, a parade is a living expression of community.

From ancient religious processions to military victory marches to civic cultural celebrations, parades have long served to mark important moments in a community’s life. In the United States, parades play a significant role in national identity, whether it’s the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day or local hometown festivals. Conveyors of tradition, they offer a connection to the past even as they evolve to the present.

Armed Forces Day ParadeFor myself and my daughter, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City will always herald the official beginning of the annual holiday season — no matter how many retailers try to convince me otherwise. Known for its massive balloons, elaborate floats and Broadway performances, this parade that has been a holiday staple since 1924 is annually watched by millions in person and on television.

St. Patrick’s Day parades are often the first in the lineup of community parade calendars everywhere, including in Kitsap County. They honor Irish heritage with music and cultural groups; their participants and spectators create a sea of green with their attire, and sometimes by a bright green stripe painted on the street along the parade route.

Poulsbo’s Viking Fest in May also features a lively parade, blending history, culture and fun in celebration of Poulsbo’s “Little Norway” identity. Held in conjunction with the Norwegian Independence Day celebration, Syttende Mai, the event showcases community participants dressed as Vikings — the legendary Norse seafarers known for their fierce reputation.

Parades steeped in cultural heritage give communities the opportunity to celebrate their traditions with the world — or at least our little part of it — passing down customs, music and stories and ensuring that these traditions continue to thrive for future generations.

Armed Forces Day ParadeOther parades honor history and national identity, particularly those who have shaped our country. Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades pay tribute to military service members while Independence Day parades celebrate American freedom and unity. These events educate and remind us of our shared history.

Kitsap’s Armed Forces Day Parade has a place of standing in this regard. It was first organized in 1948 by the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce to honor Bremertonian John “Bud” Hawk after he was presented with the Medal of Honor for his heroism in World War II. The next year, in 1949, Armed Forces Day became a national holiday. Today, this local parade is the largest and longest running parade in the nation, honoring all branches of military service. While celebrating the contributions of both active-duty members and veterans lends this parade its patriotic spirit, it’s the appreciation for our fellow community members’ service and sacrifice that gives it its poignancy.

One of the most beautiful aspects of parades is how they unite people across generations and backgrounds. When a community comes together for a parade, it’s not just about the floats or the fanfare. It’s a moving story that reflects a community’s heart. It’s neighbors celebrating neighbors in a literal procession of connection, created one marching step at a time.

One such example is Manchester’s Fourth of July Kid and Pet Parade, notable for occurring actually on the recognized holiday. Residents come decked out in red, white and blue. Small USA flags are handed out and children receive library book vouchers. Kids and a wide variety of pets are the stars of the show, giving this parade its trademark as the “world’s cutest and shortest parade.” What it isn’t short on, is community spirit. The same community spirit that wafts through every parade across our region.

Beyond offering educational opportunities and celebrations of culture, parades and the community festivals they may be linked to also encourage civic engagement and volunteerism. Behind every parade is a community service organization comprised of a cadre of volunteers who work to organize the parade and its participants, as well as seeking community sponsors. Collectively, these volunteers are united in their shared commitment of investing in their local communities.

Parades press pause on the chaos of the wider world, drawing us from daily routines into the heart of our community. As we gather along sidewalks, distant headlines and personal worries fade, replaced by the simple joys of shared experience. In this moment, we are not strangers rushing past one another — we are neighbors, friends, andfamilies, bound by local traditions, waving at the same floats, and cheering for the same high school marching band. The participants are not just performers, but often people we know.

Whether it’s a cultural festival or a small-town community celebration, parades create a sense of belonging and pride in the places we call home. They remind us of an essential truth: Community is not just where we live, but how we come together.

So, the next time you find yourself at the curb, waiting for the first float to roll by, take a moment to soak it all in — the faces around you, the energy in the air, the way a simple tradition can bring people together. It’s a beautiful reminder that community matters.

2025 Parade Calendar

March

May

June

July