posted 04/30/08 09:33 AM | updated 10/14/08 10:19 AM
Views: 29 | Comments : 4 |

Time to invent a new Capitol Hill parade

By jseattle
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Volunteer Park and Capitol Hill will be parade-less this summer. Talking with people about the situation, I've been asked a few times if I would push for someone to step in, pony up and help restore the annual Pride event.

I won't.

But not because I think there shouldn't be a Pride event or that I don't see the value in something like the parade bringing neighbors and people from around the city together in the neighborhood to have a good time, celebrate and, yes, enjoy our local businesses.

It would be a shame to cling to something that has moved on and seems to be doing quite well. We should think of something new for Capitol Hill -- and, no, I haven't thought of it yet. But there are new things to rally around like Sustainable Capitol Hill's summer festival or some sort of FREE alternative to the fenced-in Capitol Hill Block Party.

Does it really need to be a parade? Maybe. Does it have to be to become an important showcase of Capitol Hill culture, arts and people? Probably not. Let's march forward and see what new things we can make happen.

Let the goofy suggestions start to flow in the comments. I'm betting amongst the jokes and the snark, we might find a good idea or two.
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An excellent idea. Let's make it a bit bigger. Include the 15th Avenue Garage lot as well and block off 15th from Canterbury/On the Hille down to the Veterinarian's Office for booths/fun/strolling.

Good first project for the soon-to-be-elected Capitol Hill Community Council (CHCC) to work on with the newly formed Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce (CHCC).

Probably won't happen in '08. Will in '09.

By 2010, when Broadway is all **d up by Sound Transit digging, the 15th Avenue Block party will extend all the way down to (some of) the Safeway parking lot.

Make it so!

Andrew
Comment by Andrew Taylor
April 30, 2008
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Having something along 15th seems like a natural location.

Maybe a streetfair type of thing.

My fun/silly idea is a pet parade. My old neighborhood did one every year as part of the 4th of July festivities (they also did a larger "regular" parade the next day).

But the parades would end in an area where everyone would gather for food/drinks/music a la the block party ideas above.
Comment by linder
April 30, 2008
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A neighbor told me about a unique parade on The Hill this summer - Saturday, June 7, there will be a parade of jugglers, belly dancers and other talented members of the Prospect Church. They will start at All Pilgrims Church
on Broadway and end at Prospect Church at 19th Ave. East and East Prospect.

Prospect is celebrating its 100th birthday the weekend of June 7/8, 2008. Prospect was started by folks from Pilgrim.

For more info:
Prospect Congregational United Church of Christ
1919 E Prospect, Seattle WA 98112
206-322-6030
Prospectucc@yahoo.com
Comment by Alice
April 30, 2008
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I've always had this idea to throw the anti-Block Party block party up on 15th. Make it free, shut down the Walgreen's lot for a day, set up a stage, get all of the great bands in the area to play for a bit, have the businesses do sidewalk sales or drink specials, etc. A neighborhood matching grant would probably cover hard costs...

I feel aced out of the Block Party for so many reasons, so it would be nice to bring it back down to a manageable level for folks up here near 15th...

Anybody down to help organize?
Comment by A.W. Hilst
April 30, 2008
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