EVERETT — You only get one chance to celebrate a 250th anniversary. As the historic milestone of America’s semi-quincentennial draws near, downtown Everett is preparing for what is shaping up to be its biggest Independence Day celebration yet. However, organizers warn that pulling off this once-in-a-lifetime event requires a critical final push for local community volunteers.
The Everett Fourth of July Parade rolls through downtown on Saturday, July 4 starting at 11a.m. The tradition spans well over a century, though it faced a three-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the city chose not to bring the event back in 2023, a group of dedicated residents stepped up to revive it.
“A couple of us volunteers got together, said, ‘hey, we need to do this,’” Scott Bader, an Everett City Councilman and parade planning organizer tells EverettPost.com. Now in its fourth consecutive year since returning, the parade is entirely organized by the Everett Fourth of July Foundation—a local nonprofit powered entirely by community members–and its looking for more right now to make sure the parade goes off without a hitch.
This year’s celebration boasts more entries than the committee has ever seen, making the need for day-of help more urgent than ever.
- Everett 4th of July Parade Route
- Starts: Colby Ave & 25th St, 11 a.m.
- Heads: South to Wall St
- Returns: North on Wetmore Ave to 25th St
The foundation relies on roughly 75 volunteers, Bader says, to ensure a safe and smooth event. “We’re very grateful for the other volunteers that have already stepped up to bring us a great Everett tradition. And so, I want to keep this tradition going here. We appreciate all the volunteers who step up to make that happen.”
Volunteers must attend at least one training in June (~1 hour), hosted at the Carl Gipson Center. Volunteers are needed to help staff the following roles:
- Barricade Staff: Barricade volunteers ensure the traffic control plan is implemented correctly, assist spectators, and maintain parade security in coordination with Everett Police.
- Participant Check-In: Gives entries their parade number, gives instructions on lining up, and offers refreshments.
- Unit Marshal: Walks the parade route with entries and maintains orderly spacing between entries and the parade route remains clear.
- Staging: Set up of the staging plan, ensure an organized staging area at the start of the parade. You will help Parade Day participants find their units, line them up and send them off!
Bader says teen volunteers are also needed for a 30-minute presentation of the Declaration of Independence. “We’re looking for a few capable young people to read parts of the Declaration of Independence. So, at 10:30 a.m., before the parade gets started with our parade M.C., Stitch Mitchell, from KXA, we’re going to have young people take turns reading a portion of the Declaration of Independence. We’ve reached out to various scouting organizations and have a couple (that will participate), but it’d be nice to have a few more young people if there’s any interest out there for that (historical recitation),” Bader urges. (note: KXA radio and EverettPost.com are both owned by North Sound Media).
With that mix of youth and wisdom volunteering together for 4th of July, Bader enthuses, “everybody’s coming downtown young and old.”
In addition to the parade, Bader says a 250th American birthday special exhibition will be featured at the Wetmore Theater Plaza by Village Theater called, “Moments That Made America” The traveling national display is free to attend on the plaza located on Wetmore Avenue between Everett Avenue and California Avenue and the two respective theaters. Later in the day, the “Moments That Made America” exhibit will move to Legion Park, 145 Alverson Blvd. in Everett, hosting the Colors of Freedom Festival Presented by Boeing which culminates with the massive fireworks show from Port Gardner Bay. Legion Park admission is free for the fireworks show but parking is limited. A free shuttle is available at Everett Community College to Legion Park during the festival and after the fireworks show.
For Bader and the foundation, the parade represents more than just a holiday—it is a reflection of the city itself. “The community coming together… it’s a real cross-section of Everett,” Bader shared, “so that means a lot to people. We certainly heard it from the three years (during COVID) the parade was on hiatus, that people missed that. This is the 250th. I’m sure people, as we get closer to this, further into this next week, I’m hoping we’ll have our biggest group ever, and at least for us as a committee putting on the parade. We have more entries this year than we’ve ever had. I think that will help make it more memorable parade for everyone as well.”
Free parking is available at Everett Station, featuring a complimentary shuttle service directly to the parade route.
To sign up as a general route volunteer, register as a youth reader, or learn more about the event, click here.
If you want to enter a float or have your group march in the parade, click here to register. There is a registration fee based on your group’s commercial or non-profit status.
Parade sponsors include Amazon, the Everett Mall Way Chik-Fil-A, LiUNA Local 292, Cedar Grove, Judd & Black and Alexander Printing. This parade is primarily funded through private donations from local Everett community members and businesses. Organizers say the success of the event greatly relies on the community sponsorship and volunteer support. All donations are tax deductible.
Full 4th of July downtown Everett event schedule:
- 9:00-10:30am–Check in for Entries
- 9:00-10:30am–Units check in, turn in any missing forms, line up in assigned locations
- 9:00-10:00am Pre-Parade Fun Run
- 10:00am-1pm–Moments That Made Us 250th Exhibit – Wetmore Theater Plaza
- 10:30am-11am–Public Proclamation of the Declaration of Independence – Colby & California
- 11:00am–Parade Begins!
- 12:00-12:30pm–Clean up & celebrate!