Christmas — wait, what? — comes early in 35th annual Tumwater Fourth of July parade
Tim Toler waved a small American flag and cheered parade participants on as they came down Capitol Blvd. at Tuesday’s 35th annual Tumwater Fourth of July parade.
“I was born here, and this was where my family always came down for the parade every year,” he said. “When I was a kid, I visited it, and now that I live here, it was a good reason to come and watch the parade again.”
Hundreds of parade goers decked out patriotic colors and set up their seats under shady patches on sidewalks lining the parade route through Capitol Blvd. and Israel Road to beat the heat.
But under the parade’s theme, “Christmas in July,” winter was in full swing. Horses came down the route with reindeer antlers, participants dressed up as members of the Polar Express, and boat floats featured wreaths and ornaments.
Leanne Sturgeon, who is part of 24 Carrots, decked her pet chicken, Pepper, out in a striped scarf and miniature Santa hat. The organization shows small pocket pets including poultry and rabbits, and makes informational posters for the pets they show.
Sturgeon has been around chickens her entire life, but created a special bond with Pepper, who she’s been raising for three years. During Tourette’s Awareness month, she would bring her chicken to events, and he helped her explain a chirping tic she experiences.
“He is probably my sweetest chicken of all and I love him to death,” she said. “I hope to bring awareness to Tourette’s with my chicken.”
Chickens weren’t the only animals at the parade. Stevie Smith, at the parade as part of the American Made Rodeo Drill Team, said the team came to present the American flag with respect and honor.
The drill team competes at statewide competitions and specializes in coordinated horseback maneuvers, she said.
“We are a ladies drill team, so we love strong women,” Smith said. “I love supporting the red, white and blue. This is why I chose this team specifically, because of what we wear and what we’re about.
Another long-time performance group, Fantasia Baton Twirling Corps, also came back for another year at the Tumwater Parade. The group, which competes around the country, spun a routine to “Party in the USA.”
Riley Baltzell, who has performed at the parade six times, said she comes back because the performance is a good time for her and she enjoys being with her team.
“We do lots of fun things together as a group and it’s really just like a family,” she said. “We’re all really close with each other.”
Judy Welsheimer brought the sport into the Olympia region and has coached for more than 30 years. The parade has become a chance to reconnect with people she’s taught in the past. The group is like a family to her, and everyone tries to stay in touch.
She said she hopes to foster a positive, encouraging environment for young girls as they grow up.
“We love performing for the community. We do lots of local events,” she said. “We’re here because it’s my hometown and I’m patriotic.”
