Teens in bonnets roll by in one of the many floats in the 2018 Easter Parade.
Jared M. Burns 2018 file photo
SNOHOMISH — Break out the bonnets and strike up the bands.
Washington’s only Easter parade begins marching through historic downtown Snohomish at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19.
There are more than 60 entrants, according to organizer Bill Webster, including bands, decorated cars, drill teams, and of course Peter Cottontail.
There will be an Easter bonnet contest, as well as several other fun side events. The Easter bonnet contest, hosted by Midnight Cry Church, will be immediately following the parade at First St. and Avenue A. There is no age restriction to participate and well-behaved pets with bonnets are welcome.
This is the 41st year the city has had an Easter parade, and the second that it has been sponsored by the Kla Ha Ya Days Festival after many years being run by the Snohomish Chamber of Commerce. It is a Seafair-affiliated event.
Registration to participate is open until April 9, but there will also be registration on the day of the parade.
Line-up begins at 8:30 a.m. at First Street and Alder Avenue, then proceeds west down First Street from Union to Avenue D.
Judges will be on the south side of First Street near Avenue A. There will be first, second, and third-place prizes in each of three categories.
For the first time, there will be an entry fee for all participants due to rising costs. The fees are $50 for commercial, $25 for non-profit/non-commercial, and $500 for political.
There is no admission fee to watch the parade, however.
“It’s a beloved tradition in our town,” organizer Webster said. “I’m happy to have the opportunity to build community and bring people together.”
