Cheering the St. Patrick’s Tradition in Seattle

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone, as I wish you all a most green, fun and delightful time, should you decide to partake in this odd non-holiday tradition of green clovers and happy dancing.

Last Sunday, I celebrated a bit of that grand St. Patrick’s Day spirited tradition.

That joy was from the local annual parade here in Seattle, returning to full spirit with the marching and convoy entertainment to a cheering crowd. I think this may be the first of its kind to a regular cheering crowd since before the pandemic. I was a surprised with the huge public reception!

The event, was for the coming St. Patrick’s day. All hosted by an awesome variety of mostly local Irish culture groups, celebrating different facets of Ireland traditions, music, dance, spirited ideals, and non-profit backed charity.

Overall, a good time. I wish I brought a better camera, but still I took pictures worth sharing. Here below, are my favorite shots for your amusement.

– Orion T

Festive cheers in Seattle at the Macy’s Holiday Parade

Last Friday morning after Thanksgiving, many spectators took part in the yearly holiday tradition of a good old fashioned street parade. This one, being the 28th Annual Macy’s Holiday Parade, in Seattle.

This parade was cozy, small for over an hour through the narrow downtown streets. The weather remained chill, with a little bit of rain halfway through. Some arrived early, camped for the best views, while latecomers clamored for whatever spots were left.

The floats and performers were of many wholesome, non-corporate themes; mostly relating to timeless fun and the childish innocence of old toys and cuddly animals. Marching bands, dancers, unicyclists, candy throwers, city representatives added to this heady mix of holiday seasonal fun. Eventually, Santa Claus arrived on the end float, indirectly reminding many to get to their consumerist-powered gift-shopping done before Christmas Day.

Here are some pics of the parade. Enjoy, and have a happy and safe Holiday season.

Recent memories and fun at the 2015 Torchlight Parade, Seattle…

Not sure what there is about a parade, drawing me close…

Yet, the knowledge of one coming,motivates me to forget the world and join as a spectator. I’m usually alone, as I can’t imagine anyone I know as excited as me. I like to watch, applaud, and occasionally cheer at the odd display of colorful people and their strange contraptions and organized entertainment. If there is some theme, than I have a bonus to my enjoyment.

So last Saturday, there was this 2015 Torchlight Parade in Seattle, mainly sponsored by Alaska Airlines. Without looking this up, I think the theme was lights and diversity as there was much of that through the late evening, early nightfall. We got a huge range of ethnic and cultural diversity crossed with local businesses and small town promotions. It was all local fun, with little on anything specific to recent happenings (unlike other parades). Also, lots of beauty queens on flowery floats and big bands in between. Overall, some good old-fashioned fun to a parade that just is..

Here are some parade pics that may amuse you, and hopefully remind you of the joys of a good ol parade..

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O look, it’s the Alaska Airlines mascot!

Pickle Pride!

Big orca love, full of inflated happiness!

One of my favorite floats, as I also love peaches.. I would love to attend a Peach Fesitval someday..

One of many who chose to ride in classic style through the parade, on horseback.

One of the more perplexing displays of the parade. That can’t be real, yet the sign says..leading some in the crowd to run and touch the potato thing…

One of many marchers representing the U.S. Military and armed forces, with spendid musical performances!

And some extra patriotism…

One of many floats with gorgeous ladies wearing sashes and tiaras.

It’s Blitz the Seahawks mascot…getting us psyched for another coming season of NFL football.

Dancing and music, south of the border style!

Fantastic lights brings a magical feeling here..

A more colorful chariot for this parade

One of the more stranger floats, with a message about garbage and our drainage systems..

Some headspinning visual feats..

And pirates, aRRRRR!

And this big obnoxious truck!

That is all I share from thIs parade. I sadly missed out on some clowns, as I had to exit for some time to make some calls. The pics were a small portion of the whole show, as I am limited on upload capacity and time for this article. But overall, I hope you enjoy the visual sampling of parade moments , as I enjoy sharing them.

– Orion T

Pictures of Today 6/28/15, Pride of Seattle…

Today, was a beautiful day..

Because, any day with a parade is just that. But more so to this, the 2015 Seattle Pride Parade, part of the annual celebration of LGBT pride festivities here, and in other cities. And to enjoy, one doesn’t necessarily be a direct part of that community..but celebrate their inclusion and contributions into modern society and see forth important issues that relate. Much is done in good, fun entertainment; as represented by many groups, businesses, institutions, public services, churches, non-profits, and corporations, clubs and more.

For the parade there displayed some extra cheer, in light of the recent US Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage across the nation. For local Seattle, this was also a further celebration of its own empowered gay communities, as such is well known throughout. For me, it was just good fun enjoying the colorful displays with fun people sharing what makes their happiness and strengtens the love in their lives.

Here are some pictures. I took..

– Orion T

Pictures of Yesterday 6/29/14

Good times and cheers at the Seattle PRIDE Parade 2014, with Celebrity Grand Marshall, George Takei over there. Here are a few other pics taken, from my decent iPad camera…

Fremont Solstice Parade, Seattle 2014

I love a fun parade..

Especially one not pushed on by the big corporations, dominant messages of commercialism and shameless promotions. Also, there are no motorized vehicles, no animals, no company logos. Here, is the good ol Fremont Solstice Parade, in north Seattle. The annual event is produced by the Fremont Arts Council, with much funded support by the locals.

Check out some of the best of the parade below. I love the good ol fashioned big band music, the hand-pulled floats, the creative puppetry, dance numbers. All, very local and very friendly. At times (at least where I was, near the end with less people), some parade participants would surprise random crowd spectators with silly props, photo-bombs, and hugs.

I got hugged, twice.