The Tyee Triumph Car Club will be displaying their classic Triumph cars at this year’s Poverty Bay Wine Festival on Saturday, March 6th.

“At last count it appears we will have 17 or 18 cars at the Landmark for display,” said club president John Gebert, who himself owns five Triumphs. “We plan to park them in the spaces at the front entrance of the building, leaving ample room for two lanes of traffic for the buses, handicapped, etc. Our plans are to have a club meeting 10am at my home in Des Moines, and then parade down Marine View to the Landmark Event Center so we can be ready for display by Noon.”

The LBC’s (aka Little British Cars) should stay in the parking lot until around 3pm.

Geber adds: “The majority of our members are buying tickets to participate in your Festival and looking forward to a great time. They are excited about the opportunity to display their cars as well as the drive to get there. Thanks for helping get the word out…the best way you could help us would be to provide a clear and sunny day…but, we’ll be there no matter!”

John tells us that the club currently has over 50 active members who all have at least one Triumph car in various states of repair and renovation.

“Of note, we pride ourselves on being a ‘driving’ club in which the majority of our cars are on the road and used regularly,” he said. “You won’t meet many members with ‘trailer queens’,” said John.

More info on the Tyee Triumph Club is available at their website.

To buy tickets for the Poverty Bay Wine Festival, click here, or visit CorkyCellars (206-824-9462), Des Moines Drug, and/or purchase directly from any Des Moines Rotary Club member. All proceeds go to the service projects of the Rotary Club of Des Moines.

(Photos courtesy the Tyee Triumph Club)

by Ralph Nichols

If you live in Des Moines or a neighboring community, and if you love a parade, then you can look forward with eager anticipation to the “biggest and best parade ever” in this Waterland city.

Next year.

There will be no Waterland Grand Parade in Des Moines in 2010, City Councilwoman Carmen Scott informed her fellow council members at their Feb. 11 meeting.

Scott said while members of the ad-hoc Waterland Parade Committee were encouraged by the Waterland Blog’s online poll, in which 76 percent of those responding said “yes” or “maybe” to continuing the parade, they also agreed that “this year is not the year.”

The committee “discussed the practicalities of whether a parade could or should happen this summer,” she said. Factors influencing their decision not to proceed with a 2010 parade included “the city’s financial condition” and scheduled construction projects around town.

They decided instead to stage a parade that will be “better than ever” in 2011, she added.

Mayor Bob Sheckler concurred. “I pressed hard for a parade this year, but Carmen is right. This is not the best year. It’s probably wise not to do it this year. So we’ll spend a year and a half planning a parade for next year, not this year.”

A grand parade was a major attraction of the annual Waterland Festival in Des Moines, but the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, which produced this event, disbanded in the wake of the 2004 festival.

After a four-year absence, the Waterland Parade, again preceded by a children’s parade, returned last July as part of the festivities celebrating Des Moines’ 50th anniversary as a city.

Last fall, Sheckler said there would be a parade again this year, but left a final decision to the parade committee.

With the City Council making sharp cuts in Des Moines’ operating budget for a second consecutive year, “we are hard pressed for funds,” Scott noted.

Although City Manager Tony Piasecki told committee members there are ways a parade could be put on without costing the city additional money, Scott said the reality of budget cutbacks has left no staff members the time flexibility to handle the additional work that would be involved.

So over the next year, planning for the 2011 Waterland Parade will include looking for private money to sponsor it, she continued.

And planning will also involve businesses along the Marine View Drive parade route so they can attract more customers that day, rather than losing business to events at other locations.

The construction projects that also make a parade impractical this year – upgrades to several streets used for the parade and staging, and the ongoing Marina renovation – “are building for the future,” Scott told The Waterland Blog.

“It’s going to sparkle when we have the parade next year. The city is doing it right.”

(Parade Photos courtesy Carmen Scott)

Good things are happening in Des Moines!! Good people are doing them!!

I say this as a reminder that all news is not bad!! We have problems, certainly, but we also have plenty to feel good about. We have people that care about this town. This is a fantastic jumping off point for constructive dialogue about what type of town we want to live in, as so many issues hang in the air. Budget problems, economic development questions and even a parade, seem to stir strong feelings. This is great!! It demonstrates that people are thinking about this town. I applaud ANY strong opinion, even if I can’t stand that opinion. If it comes from a place of concern for Des Moines, I am grateful and I thank people for caring.

With that in mind, the recent war of words regarding a parade has inspired me to throw my own opinion into the hat. The parade “debate” speaks to where we place value. It represents what kind of town we want to live in. It is about more than money, as plenty of people would do it and have done it for free, maybe not the police, but certainly many others. A parade and other events are about reconstructing a livable city. Des Moines has become so lame, it truly borders on unlivable. Those words break my heart, as I am a child of this town and love it more than anyone I know. Des Moines needs fun stuff to do. This need is not a superficial, fickle, immediate-gratification-regardless-of-consequence type of desire. Events foster a sense of community and belonging to something that connects people. It connects residents to local businesses and neighbors to one another. More than anytime I can recall, in the forty years I have lived here, Des Moines needs to get connected. These connections matter. These connections are connected to quality of life. A town without these vital connections and a high quality of life is a town people don’t want to live in. The beautiful thing is that we can manifest and determine our quality of life by engaging with each other having some fun. This is great. It is a cause for hope that a genuine win/win is possible! As the folks lined the streets last summer, I was reminded of what Des Moines can be, a true community, a place where people can come together and enjoy this town and feel proud to be a part of it.

Value is here.

On a warm day in July, I watched my five-year old daughter walk the parade dressed up as an eggplant, following the Farmer’s Market entry. My wife was an apple and my ten-year old son carried a pitchfork, frankly unnerving me a little bit. The memory of this day is priceless. It is priceless to me and it is priceless to my kids and many other kids and parents and residents that set-up their chairs early to sit in the summer sun and watch our parade. This has value. It is real. It is tangible and it matters. I can think of nothing this town needs more than opportunities for people to get together and feel good about living here.
There are problems in this town. There is no money. This is understood and undeniable. What we do have is interested, passionate people with big hearts and creative minds willing to set to task making good things happen. This has value, as well. A town with a strong service base and folks that can and will support events that create a sense of community is a good investment. A town that people want to live in is a good investment for OPM. We need it.

Recognizing, promoting, encouraging and prioritizing this as a part of any economic development plan is vital to shaping Des Moines future. It is not all about the feely-goody. Fun and feeling good about Des Moines is good business!!

I am including a letter I e-mailed around a few months prior to last year’s Anniversary celebration. It created some buzz and stirred opinions and seems timely given the current debate. I named it, ironically, the “Waterland Manifesto”. The irony exists in taking fun very seriously and the value in making great memories for ourselves and our kids. We need to do more of that in our terrific little water town.

My Waterland Manifesto by Dave Markwell

"Am I the only one that misses the Waterland Festival?" - Dave Markwell

I’ve been very conflicted recently with my own feelings of allegiance to the Waterland festival and my involvement in and support of the current events scheduled for the citizens of Des Moines. I struggle with whether or not I might be an anomaly. Am I the only one that misses the Waterland Festival? Am I clinging to the past and not giving the future a fair shot? Am I really not as progressive as I think by continuing to pine for the Waterland week?

Growing up as a kid in Des Moines, I looked forward to two weeks out of the year, Christmas and Waterland. Waterland was the highlight and exclamation point on every summer that I can recall. From sitting on my dad’s shoulders watching the parade, to spending the night on my uncle’s boat on L dock all five Waterland nights, to the first time I rode my bike to Waterland with my buddies and no parents, to “accidentally” getting to second base on the Skydiver in the eighth grade, to the annual reunion of high school friends who invariably would show up on Friday night, to being both the first and last person in the beer garden on the same day (once), to setting up, tearing down, guarding the gate, picking up garbage, being a vendor, sponsor and parent of kids enjoying the same things I did, my memories and experiences are not just Waterland memories. They are my life’s memories. They are the best thing there is. I am not the only one that has these memories. Anyone growing up in Des Moines has their own vault of great Waterland days. It is a collective joy shared. From Wednesday fireworks, to Thursday kid’s day, to the funny boat race, arts and crafts, B & E Tri-tip, Lions Club corn on the cob, barbershop quartet to old time rock and roll and the Seafair pirate ship cannon blast during the parade, Waterland had something for everyone. The cool, salty breeze on a hot summer evening mixing with the whistles and screams of the games and rides made it perfect. It defined community event. It was of, by and for Des Moines located in the heart and soul of Des Moines, the marina. The Waterland Festival was not perfect, but it was ours. It was something that residents of Des Moines could be a part of and enjoy. People were there as families. Local businesses were set up and people met one another and friends were made, some lifelong.

It was a showcase of the best Des Moines had to offer. People came and saw and had fun. In a landslide, the good times far outweighed the bad.

Granted, the last few Waterlands were shaky. Organization, security and accountability were issues as were money and politics. However, I hold that the good experiences still triumphed over the negative by far. My question now is why can’t it be great again? Des Moines is at the cusp of a fantastic renaissance with new restaurants and businesses cropping up, as well as new families moving in. How could Waterland be bad? It is a huge event with opportunities for every business, community group or interested person to get involved. It provides the best venue around to highlight and truly showcase all that Des Moines has to offer. With the 50 year anniversary coming up, there is not a better event to celebrate the occasion. Waterland represents the good things in Des Moines history and could really help define and highlight its hopes for the future. I believe that the combination of the new, enthusiastic and engaged citizens with the tried and true veterans of Waterlands past could create magic. We know where the problems were. How can we fix them? Solutions exist.

Many creative, talented minds also exist in this town. It is time to revisit Waterland and explore the potential. It is real and it is great and totally consistent with what every person who lives here, works in, or serves this town wants. Knowing what the problems were allows a great chance for some changes to help mitigate the issues. Having a couple years break allows an opportunity to reshape the event in ways that will make it something everyone will be proud to get involved with. It can be done. More memories of kids sitting on their dad’s shoulders watching a parade in their hometown are just waiting to be made, hopefully by my kids.

Thanks for indulging my thoughts and I hope to see you at the next parade as the Pete’s Towing truck train marks the grand finale. It’s about the coolest thing there is.

–Dave Markwell

by Brenda Anders

It is that time of year again – time to start planning for our community summer events.

As you may or may not know, the current economic situation and major construction projects within the city of Des Moines have dictated that many events be cancelled this year, including:

• Classic Car and Wooden Boat Show
• Italian Concourse Car Show
• Waterland 5k Run
• Waterland 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament

The good news is that there will still be many fun things to do in Des Moines this summer. There are many groups busily planning events for you and your families to enjoy, including:

• Fireworks over Des Moines! Brooks Powell / Powell Homes is dedicated to making this event happen and is seeking additional funds to privately cover the costs of city staffing needs
• The Des Moines Farmers Market, every Saturday (June 5-October 30), south end of the marina
• Waterland Music Series, dates and times TBD, Des Moines Arts Commission
• Des Moines Parks and Recreation’s Camp Khaos (Kids Having An Outrageous Summer), new location due to construction, Des Moines Field House Historic grandstand and ball field rededication, Des Moines Field House
• Missoula Children’s Theater, July
• Trash to Treasure (swap meet style), August, hosted by Des Moines Senior Activity Center

The Waterland Parade has NOT been officially cancelled. Yet.

There is a group of people, led by Anna Bjorneby, dedicated to making it happen with help from donations and private funding. The question is this:

Will residents and the business community support a parade?

Council Member Carmen Scott had this to say:

“This information is needed quickly by the people who would be putting on the parade in order to secure support and entrants. It is important to know if the parade is important to our residents. What does it mean to them? Parades require a level of staff support from the city. Your comments and response to the blog poll and/or email to council@desmoineswa.gov will give council members a good update on what importance the Waterland Parade has to our community.”

Here is where you can help. Parade planners and city council members need to know where the community stands on this. Due to time constraints, this is perhaps your only opportunity to be heard regarding a 2010 Waterland parade.

Please vote using our non-scientific Poll below this story, or on the sidebar. Feel free to also share your thoughts about the parade and what it means to you, your family and traditions by leaving a Comment below:

[2009 Waterland Parade Photo by Gene Achziger; buggy photo courtesy Des Moines Historical Society; 2009 Photo courtesy Carmen Scott]

The Des Moines Yacht Club has two big seasonal events scheduled for this weekend, including a lighted boat parade Saturday night, which consists of a group of five to fifteen boaters who like to decorate and head out on the water on a cold December night; and a Special People’s Cruise on Sunday afternoon.

The lighted boat parade group will depart from the Des Moines marina around 6pm and will sail to Three Tree Point and Redondo (not necessarily in that order), then back to the marina. People on shore in their warm cozy homes often show their appreciation by flashing their deck lights.

Then on Sunday (weather permitting), the yacht club hosts its annual Special People’s Cruise from Noon to 4pm, where approximately 100 developmentally-disabled individuals get to go on boats out to visit the Santa boat and talk to Santa on the VHF radio.

They then return to the Club for a lunch, sock hop and a visit in person from Santa.

Occasionally wind or bad weather prohibits the boat ride part of the day.   In that case, the sock hop is longer for everyone.   Attendance is by reservation only, but interested people can contact the yacht club for next year’s fun event.

More information is available at the yacht club’s website here:

www.desmoinesyachtclub.com

Or by calling (206) 878-7220.

Des Moines’ very own Mt. Rainier High School Ramblin’ Marching Band will be one of several area participants in Macy’s 24th annual Holiday Parade on Friday, Nov. 27th in downtown Seattle.

More than two dozen high school marching bands and community drill teams will also participate, including marching bands from:

• Chief Sealth High School
• Denny Middle School

• Kentwood High
• Ballard High
• Penninsula High
• Washington
• Centralia
• Sequim
• Roosevelt

In addition to MRHS’ Ramblin’ Marching Band, several other area drill teams will participate:

• Northside Drill Team and Drum Squad
• Lake City Girls
• Marysville Pilchuck High School Marching Tomahawks and Color Guard
• Connect All Stars & Northwest Open Cheer
• Edmonds Woodway High School

Boasting nearly 56 entrants, the parade will also feature:

• 22 balloon floats and inflatables
• 500 costumed characters
• 18 high school marching bands
• Community drill teams
• Four dog clubs

The parade will begin promptly at 8:45am on 7th and Pine in downtown Seattle, travel west to 5th Avenue, south on 5th to University Street, west on University Street to 4th, and north on 4th to Pine street, where it will deliver Santa to Macy’s under a confetti snowstorm.

At 5pm, Macy’s will light its famous, 161-foot high, 3,600-bulb Holiday Star on the corner of 4th and Pine, in conjunction with the Westlake Tree Lighting Ceremony. The star lighting will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display, weather permitting.

So be sure to cheer on your local, ramblin’ marchers and musicians either in person on or KING-TV beginning at 9am Nov. 27th.

(Photo courtesy Carmen Scott)

Click to View Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow

Story & Photos by Scott Schaefer

We were lucky enough to be accepted into Saturday’s 50th Birthday/Waterland Parade in Des Moines, where we rode on the back of a flatbed tow truck courtesy Airport Towing, and subsequently wore our collective arms (and voices) out waving (and yelling) to what must have been thousands of people.

If you’ve never been in an actual parade, below is a “live blog” you may find interesting (or not) that details what the day was like:

3:44pm: Drove the Waterland Blogmobile (a green Mini Cooper) to the wrong “staging area” – the north lot of Highline Community College, which was virtually empty. Felt like I was in a scene from “The Omega Man,” but couldn’t see Charlton Heston or any zombies anywhere.

3:50pm: Found correct staging area. Parked. Tried to check in, but discovered that the correct paperwork was with the guy from Airport Towing. Started taking photos of everyone getting their floats ready.

3:54pm: It’s really hot on the parking lot asphalt, at least 85 degrees. Santa walks by in full costume (sans hat), holding a cooler. This is starting to get weird.

3:59pm: Realized there was only one Porta-Potty at the location. Now I know what that really long line is for.

4:08pm: Get in line for Porta-Potty. Wait. Squirm. Give up.

4:14pm: Get back in line for Porta-Potty. Wait. Squirm. Squirm again. Cross legs. Give up. Start walking briskly.

4:17pm: After taking a quick “hike” through some bushes, I suddenly feel better.

4:35pm: Changed from long black jeans into shorts in the front seat of the Mini. Note to self: next time get a bigger car.

5:01pm: Airport Towing finally showed up. Moved car and met our Driver, Steve.

5:12pm: Watched as Steve lowered an antique tow truck off the flatbed carefully.

5:14pm: Watched as Steve hooked the Mini up and put it up onto the flatbed.

5:21pm: Two of my co-horts show up (Gina Bourdage & Janet Grella, along with Gina’s Dad) and we get busy decorating our “flatbed float” with cheap fringe stuff from Party City.

5:43pm: Rest of the crew wanders in (Mark and Bart) after having trouble driving to the staging area because of closed-off streets.

5:51pm: With everyone now aboard and the flatbed “decorated,” Steve drove us out of the parking lot and down near the start of the parade at Marine View Drive and S. 242nd. Glad I’m sitting inside the Mini as it’s a bumby road and Gina, Janet and Bart are holding on for dear life in the back.

6:01pm: Moved up to another waiting area at S. 240th & Marine View Drive. Lots of other participants waiting here, including Seafair Clowns and Hi-Yu Princesses. A clean “referee” starts using his material on us.

6:15pm: The parade has apparently started but we’re not moving yet. Two Des Moines cops come up and compliment The Waterland Blog by saying “good job.” I ask for a “Get Out Of Jail Free” card and get no response. Some clowns dressed as cops walk by. Now I’m confused.

6:20pm: We’re actually moving forward now!

6:21pm: Okay, now we’re stopped after moving just 20 feet.

6:33pm: Moving again, slowly now, and I ask a woman holding a bottle of beer if she has any extra. She pauses, then quickly opens a cooler, grabs something in plastic, runs up and hands it me. “Jello shot!” she yells. I take it and everyone laughs.

6:40pm: Arrive at the intersection of Marine View Drive and 8th Ave South, and suddenly there’s a LOT of people. Mark Neuman, riding shotgun, starts yelling silly things are people, like “the parade’s been cancelled…everyone go home now!” We’re all waving, almost full-time now. My arms already hurt.

7:04pm: The parade is over already? We snake up a hill with an even bumpier road, and I’m glad I’m still in the Mini. The gang in back yelps on every bump.

7:18pm: We’re back at the staging area, where we tear down our “float” and say goodbye to our driver, Steve, who did a great job, since everyone is still alive.

7:43pm: Mark, Bart and myself head on over to Butler Bar & Grill, since we know the Seafair Pirates will be “raiding” it around 8pm. The place is jammed and people are streaming in.

7:59pm: No Pirates yet, but whoever thought they’d be early to a “raid”? We scored seats at a table right near the front entrance!

8:07pm: Someone nearby is looking outside at something. I take a peek, and YES, the Pirates are here. Now the fun can begin.

8:10pm: The Pirates finally storm into Butlers, singing a silly and oftentimes inappropriate pirate shanty, like they always do. It’s weird because they’re all around us, so it’s basically a live surround-sound silly shanty. Usually I pay $13 to hear this at a movie theater but tonight it’s free!

8:11pm: The Pirates get their first round of drinks on the house, courtesy Proprietor Mike Colello.

8:14pm: Wow, a second round of drinks is served to these guys, and now they’re passing out personal trading cards! Maybe I should become a Pirate?

8:22pm: I get a trading card from a Pirate I know nicknamed “Diamond Jim.” Nothing about pillaging or plundering – we talk about our kids, who go to the same school. It’s weird talking parenting to a guy in full pirate regalia.

8:33pm: The Pirates are now flirting with every woman inside Butlers, putting stickers in the most logical spot – strategically placed on their shirts of course. Suddenly there are no Pirates to talk with, so I start talking to my trading cards. Nobody notices.

9pm: The Seafair Pirates are given another round of drinks on the house, then sing their final song, in surround-sound again (another $13 saved), then exit.

9:08pm: With no Pirates left, I’m outta here…

Here’s a slideshow of Photos taken by Waterland Blog Contributor Carmen Scott of Saturday’s big 50th Birthday/Waterland Parade:

Click to View Carmen Scott’s Photo Slideshow

And here’s a photo by Gene Achziger of our “float” entry, which was basically our Mini Cooper Blogmobile on the back of a flatbed tow truck courtesy Airport Towing (that’s Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer giving his best “parade wave”):

Be sure to check The Waterland Blog Monday (July 20th) for our first-hand account of what it was like actually being in the parade!

In the meantime, feel free to subscribe to our RSS Feed or get the blog via email.

The City of Des Moines has released the list of road closures (download PDF file here) for Saturday’s 50th Birthday/Waterland Parade, and here’s the scoop:

50th Anniversary Parade – NOTICE OF ROAD CLOSURE
Saturday, July 18, 2009 – 3:30PM to 8:00PM:

Marine View Drive South and South 240th Street in Des Moines will be closed on Saturday, July 18, from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., for the Waterland Grand Parade – a Seafair event celebrating the city’s 50th anniversary.

The street closures will be on Marine View Drive from South 216th Street to South 240th Street, and on South 240th Street from Marine View Drive to 16th Avenue South.

Traffic will be detoured on 16th Avenue South, Kent-Des Moines Road, and 24th Avenue South.

For more information, contact City of Des Moines Public Works at 206-870-6522.

by Pat Nardo

The month of July has some very special meaning to all Americans and of the most importance is the 4th of July which we celebrate and give thanks for our liberation, independence and freedom.

With us, in this month of July, are the people of South Korea, whose freedom and the continuation of a democratic republic was ensured by the presence of many of us who served with the United States Military during the stressful period between 1950 and 1953. This “Police Action” was miss-labeled from the start, as we remember it. War is what it was and later it became known as “The Forgotten War”. It is a sad truth that the harvest of war is freedom and human rights restored or even realized for the first time by an oppressed people.

We celebrate this unchaining from despotism and authoritarian rule with parties, outdoor barbecues, and parades. This year, after a long absence of leadership and dedication to the community, we will have a parade and we hope it will be even better than the annual Waterland Parade that became extinct around 2003 as your Des Moines Chamber of Commerce presented it. A debt of gratitude goes to the leadership provided by “BJ” and Anna Bjorneby, Fran Woodard and a host of volunteers who are making this event memorable. This parade will begin at 5:30 PM with the youth of our community marching to the admiration of the crowds along the sidewalks of Des Moines’ Marine View Drive. For nearly two hours after the children have gotten well-earned applause, there will be the usual expected entourage of bands, floats, dance and drill teams and individuals in old automobiles (including the staff of your very own Waterland Blog!).

Every Waterland Parade has had a surprise ending, and so it will be this year. We always knew it was coming at the very end and even with that knowledge, it came as a surprise; a jaw dropping surprise. After all of the revelry, beauty and exotic floats, costumes and music, a silence follows and…

A gigantic blue monster, lumbering slowly down Marine View Drive, its gigantic head eagerly pulling its long tail toward an unsuspecting crowd of onlookers is (Gary Petersen) Pete’s Towing Service caravan! Appearing as the description of a juggernaut aptly describes it, “A massive advancing force or object that crushes anything in its path.” Knowing this mild mannered gentleman is knowledge that he would not even think of “Crushing anything” beyond, maybe a pesky fly, so relax as the juggernaut wends its way past you. Gary Petersen is the presenter of this gigantic force on wheels. Begin counting, fifteen tow trucks, all being pulled by the lead truck! As the last truck passes you should know and remember this; Gary Petersen is one of our major sponsors as well as participating in your 50th Birthday Parade! Thank you, Gary.

Here is some information on Pete’s Towing Service:

• Pete’s Towing moved from the Burien area to Des Moines area in 1949.
• The tow trucks you are viewing in the parade represent one of the largest towing companies in the Pacific Northwest.
• Total length of all the tow trucks is 424’ long. Total weight of all tow trucks is 329,000 pounds, or 164 tons.

So you looked up “Juggernaut” and how do you think this matches the definition! How about Hoorah!

EDITOR’S NOTE: To see photos from Des Moines’ 50th Birthday & Waterland Parade (on 7/18/09), click here. To read our firsthand account of being in the parade, then hanging out with the Seafair Pirates, click here.]

by BJ Bjorneby

Many people have asked “What is the Kids Parade like?” “Is there a theme?”

We tell them it’s anything the kid wants it to be. It can be a kid walking his dog or riding her bike. Remember the playing card in the spokes trick? Or the crepe paper in the spokes? It can be the Cub Scout Troop marching or the T-Ball team showing off. And that’s just the stuff we older people remember from our early parade memories.

No, there is no theme, other than maybe Happy Birthday which is the theme of the Grand Parade but not necessarily for the Kids.

We Hardcore Paradies think of Kids Parades as the “Minor Leagues” where kids get the chance to experience the thrill of having hundreds of people see their ingenuity and skills displayed. It’s a chance for bragging rites of having been “in a parade”!

Kids parades are what keeps big parades happening year after year.

They grow up and become “Paradies” like us and keep millions of people happy to be able to go see a parade.

EDITOR’S NOTE: To see photos from Des Moines’ 50th Birthday & Waterland Parade (on 7/18/09), click here. To read our firsthand account of being in the parade, then hanging out with the Seafair Pirates, click here.]

The sun is shining (well, most of the time…) and summer has officially arrived in the Northwest!

And to celebrate the season and its 50th birthday, the City of Des Moines is (as most folks already know) hosting a series of family-friendly events on Saturday, July 18th, which will include:

• A visit from the tall ships Merrie Ellen and W. N. Ragland
• A wooden boat exhibit
• Strong man competition
• Classic car show
• Children’s fun zone
• Sock hop
• Seafair-sanctioned parade featuring the well-known Seafair Pirates

Des Moines has been a regional destination for the Puget Sound region since 1904 when Redondo Beach was the Northwest’s premier resort, drawing thousands visitors annually. Today, that beach town feeling still exists. Visitors can smell the sea air, dip their toes in the water, stroll along the boardwalk and enjoy the area’s charming shops and restaurants. To celebrate its 50 year heritage (Des Moines officially became a city on June 17, 1959), the city is hosting a series of events throughout the summer, including the Seafair festivities, to capture the feeling of the nostalgic getaway.

Need more evidence of the city’s fun and quirky personality? Look no further than this year’s strongman competition in which feats of strength will be demonstrated by both men and women via a tire flip (100 feet total distance), axle clean and press, farmer’s walk (max weight carried for 200 feet) and keg loading (minimum 4-5 kegs loaded on to a 50 inch platform within 60 seconds). Last year, 40 competitors competed in five events and anticipation is high for this year’s competition.

Visitors will also be treated to sailboat races, a 50th birthday fun run, and performances from the Wenatchee Youth Circus – considered to be one of the top four non-professional groups in the country. Most events will be free, including the classic car and wooden boat show, Seafair parade, and the strongman competition. Minimal costs are associated with other events, such as tours of the Merrie Ellen and W. N. Ragland ($5) and tours of a new 68 foot Ocean Alexander yacht.

Festivities include:

FRIDAY, JULY 17th:

• Wenatchee Youth Circus (Des Moines Field House; adults: $7, kids: $5; 5 pm)
• Dinner & Tour of Tall Ship Merrie Ellen (Des Moines Marina; adults: $20; 7 pm)

SATURDAY, JULY 18th:

• Strongman Competition (South Marina; Free; 10 am-3 pm)
• Waterfront Farmers Market (South Marina; Free; 10 am-4 pm – look for The Waterland Blog’s booth!)
• Classic Car & Wooden Boat Show (North Marina; Free; 10 am-4 pm)
• Children’s Crafts & Activity Station (South Marina; Free; 10 am-4 pm)
• Clowns Unlimited Fun Zone (North Marina; $10 all day; 10 am-6 pm)
• Food, Community Vendors & Beer Garden (North Marina; 10 am-9 pm)
• Tours aboard the Tall Ships Merrie Ellen and W.N. Ragland (North Marina; $5 each; 10 am-4 pm)
• Wenatchee Youth Circus (Des Moines Elementary; adults: $7, kids: $5;10:30 am and 2 pm)
• Carfitti Teen Car Painting & Car Raffle (North Marina; 11 am-3 pm)
• Offshore Boat Races (North Marina; Free; Noon)
• Sailboat Races (North Marina; Free; 2 pm)
• 50th Birthday Fun Run & Walk (Run: Highline Community College, Walk: Marine View Dr. S; starts at 4:30 pm, participants check in at 2:30 pm)
• 50th Birthday Seafair Parade (Marine View Dr. S; Free; kid’s parade: 5:30 pm, main parade: 6 pm)
• Entertainment Stage featuring Pony-Boy All Star Band and Danny Vernon’s Illusion of Elvis (North Marina; performances at 11 am and 1 pm)
• Sock Hop Dance (North Marina; Free; 7:30-10:30 pm)
• 10th Annual Federal Way Symphony Garden Tour featuring speaker Carolyn Jones (Local Gardens and Des Moines Beach Park; tickets at www.federlwaysymphony.org; lectures at 11 am and 2:30 pm)

Many more community events are scheduled throughout the summer such as a Jazz & Blues Series (7/22-8/19), and the Jobies Community Carnival (8/15).

For more information, call (206) 870-6527 or visit www.desmoines50th.com.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To see Photos from the 2009 50th Birthday/Waterland Parade, click here. To read our firsthand account and see photos of what it was like for us to be in the parade (then hang out with the Seafair Pirates, click here.]

by Pat Nardo

Somewhere there is someone that does not love a parade or flock to enjoy the magnificent array of people, floats and band music.

Well, thank goodness that person does not live in Des Moines!

As we are in the last lap of your parade preparations, there is an almost surprising number of applicants, thanks to our “Dear Leader” Anna Bjorneby and her Advisor Fran Woodard, we have now recruited an army of pleasure for an unforgettable 5oth anniversary parade.

The latest estimate from Anna is about 1,000 people will be in our parade and we are half way there already.

Now, we all know the difference between a cake and a parade, right? They do have in common a need for an array of necessary ingredients. So it is with our parade and just to begin with, there will be two antique autos, four marching bands, three commercial entries, two local businesses, five community groups, mostly non-profit, and more. Look for a yesteryear’s horse drawn wagon to appear from out of a page of history, along with a “spare.” From our latest information, there will be three or more floats along with a couple of new ones not seen before. Our friends from Highline Water District will play a part in your parade this year with a mascot who is a teacher of sorts. Getting away from the serious side, look for our favorites, the Seafair Clowns, Seafair Pirates, and of course, The Keystone Cops with their theme, “Cops are good guys too!”

The usual “deadline” for a parade application and acceptance is waived and you may still join us right up to the last day, so see if you can overwhelm us with your overpowering desire to be seen, heard and loved by Des Moines. It is also true that we could use a few more volunteers.

Small businesses in Des Moines are rarely able to supply any presence away from their business so a hearty welcome is earned by “The Waterland Blog”. “Best in Show Pet Salon”, and “Des Moines Dog House”. You can say “thank you” to these business people by spreading the word on www.waterlandblog.com, take Pierre or Fido to the Pet Salon, and then stop for a gourmet hot dog at the Dog House. Okay, you may share the dog with your dog! They have outside seating.

As we have all been told, “All good things must end”. Your parade is not an exception to this ancient advisory. Your parade, Des Moines, will have a spectacular ending!

Stay tuned. Oh, and while you are waiting, look up the word juggernaut.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To see Photos from the 2009 50th Birthday/Waterland Parade, click here. To read our firsthand account and see photos of what it was like for us to be in the parade (then hang out with the Seafair Pirates, click here.]

by Pat Nardo

With less than 30 days until our 50th Anniversary celebration and Grand Parade, volunteers are scurrying about, not unlike the “Three Blind Mice” trying to pull together all the loose ends that have a tendency to reveal themselves at the least opportune moment.

We are having our parade meetings every Wednesday evening at 6pm at the Bjorneby’s CARSTAR office on 220th and Pacific Highway. Applications are still being accepted although a good number of units for the parade have signed on. This is a Seafair Sanctioned event and the Seafair Commodores will play a large role in our success. Part of our excitement, hardly contained, is the honor of having the Seafair Pirates presenting their playful, threatening antics to an always pleased crowd. The booming cannon and swords slashing the air amid loud “har hars” always gets the kids in the crowd animated.

There will be three marching bands and a few floats, at least three children’s units will begin the march through town on Marine View Drive. Our budget, though small, we are able to come up with appropriate trophies, provided by our own EC Computer owner and Des Moines supporter, Patricio Mendoza. Engraving may cost us but that too is in negotiations. There will be badges for all who are working on the parade, including staff and honored guests. At Landmark on the Sound there is a reception planned with mostly “finger food” and from The Reuben New York Eatery a generous sampling of their famous, delicious brownies! Remember the slogan, “Betcha can’t eat just one”? Enough said!

Our friends at Butler’s Bar & Grill plan a beer garden and a “blues band” to be in the front of their business to invite spectators, residents, and anyone else to join the festivity provided after our parade. Mike Collello is hosting this part of our celebration. Our parade poster is being distributed all over town and the excitement is beginning to build up as we proceed with, what we hope, will be a very memorable event.

Applications are still accepting for participation in our parade, but time is limited now, so if you need assistance with this, you may call Anna Bjorneby at (206) 244-8080 or BJ Bjorneby at the same number. Remember, we are at the time when applications need to be in around July 1st, so don’t hesitate, vacillate or procrastinate. I am not sure what these words really mean but I found them in my thesaurus.

The Junior Parade will start at 5:30pm, and the Main parade at 6pm.

We are now at 30 days and counting for a magnificent parade so plan to be here as part of your “staycation”!

The city’s 50th Birthday is shaping up into quite a full day, with a 2.5-mile Fun Run/Walk scheduled to wind through Des Moines along the parade route right before the b-day parade on Saturday, July 18th.

The race will start at Highline Community College, where the parade starts, and will end on Marine View Drive in front of the QFC grocery store.

Everyone is invited to participate in this fun event, which is targeted at families.

Make sure to take advantage of the pre-registration prices; course maps are available now at the Des Moines Field House.

WHAT: Des Moines 50th Birthday Fun Run/Walk

WHEN: Saturday, July 18th, check-in begins at 2:30pm; Race starts at 4:30 pm sharp

WHERE: Starts at Highline Community College & ends at the QFC parking lot

COST: $20 if registered by July 1st, $25 July 2nd until race day!

REGISTER: Registration by phone 206-870-6527 or stop by the Field House at 1000 South 220th Street in Des Moines

by Pat Nardo

Hard times are upon us and it seems we are just beginning to come out from under the pall of gloomy economical news, heading into a new era of, we hope, prosperity.

Gloom and doom notwithstanding, we are frantically and loyally making preparations to celebrate the great event of our city’s 50th anniversary. Des Moines will be 50 years old in July and a staunch cadre of volunteers, city, parks department workers, marina employees and staffs, small businesses and, yes, individual citizens like me are doing our best to make this a truly memorable event.

A major obstacle confronts us that must be overcome, that of finance. Money we just don’t have, or very little to do all that might be done. Donations are sorely needed for so many items that constitute the cost and preparations for city wide events including our parade and time is not on our side with only just over one month to begin “showing our stuff” to all who will witness our civic pride.

The small businesses in our town, even though they are, mostly, not doing as well as they would in normal times, have given enormous support.

Of the “big businesses” within our boundaries, two of our banks are to be commended for allowing the prominent display of our 50th anniversary poster on their premises, while the other two…well, they claim “corporate policy” prevents the posting of advertising except “in their back room”.

As I leave each of these two banks with undelivered 50th anniversary posters, I wonder, “Why would a large corporation establish itself in our community without caring or supporting a golden anniversary?” It also occurs to me that they could use a little public relations expertise. Our good friends at both the Key Bank and Bank of America, however, gladly accepted and quickly placed our proud posters where customers could see and know these banks cared a good deal for Des Moines. When you visit either bank, let them know we appreciate having them in our city.

Back to the generosity of our smaller merchants; EC Computers owner, Patricio Mendoza, has offered to provide the much needed trophies for our parade awards. The Print Place has given us help in reducing printing costs of leaflets and handouts to advertise our celebration. Jerry and Cathy Reece are providing a “surprise” float and it will be part of our parade as well. Our most important, local sponsors and benefactors are:

• Bjorneby’s CARSTAR on Hwy 99 and 220th, who also are parade developers
• Hertz Auto Rental
• Our good friend Gary Peterson of Pete’s Towing

In addition, Anna Bjorneby is our CEO for the parade and she has a good grasp of all that is needed and Fran Woodard is our chief whip. “BJ” Bjorneby calmly oversees the progress and occasionally adds to the strength of the crew.

Without these two, there might not be a parade!

Most of the applications for parade participation are in and we will soon know the number of units and their classification. As judging chairman, I have a competent staff and forms for scoring just about all categorizes that we anticipate and one that is designated as “OTHER”, just in case we can’t identify its species.

The Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market is in need of a flatbed truck, or tractor with a wagon or something similar for their 50th anniversary parade entry on July 18th.

If anyone has access and wishes to be part of the market for the week, please email market@dmfm.org or call Debra at 206-592-1423!