After the Yakima Sunfair Parade was cancelled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic thousands of people turned out for the event on Saturday morning in Downtown Yakima.

THE GRAND MARSHAL WAS YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MEMBER HOLLY COUSINS

The parade started at 10:00AM at 16th Avenue and Yakima Avenue and continued to Naches Avenue. Hundreds of entries were part of the parade that started with the traditional color guard and first responders. Yakima Police and Fire Departments and departments from around the valley were first to roll down Yakima Avenue. Followed by the Grand Marshal Yakima City Council member and Assistant Mayor Holly Cousins as well as Mayor Patricia Byers. The parade included a host of school bands, businesses, politicians, car clubs and others.

DID YOU ATTEND AND WEAR A MASK?

Masks, which are required for outdoor activities with 500 or more people were seen throughout the parade but many also avoided wearing masks while sitting along the sidewalks. Large crowds were seen from 16th Avenue all the way down the avenue to Naches Avenue with many people saying they missed the parade last year.

THE PARADE IS TRADITIONALLY A PART OF FAIR DAY FOR MANY FAMILIES

For many families the parade is the first activity of the day before attending the Central Washington State Fair. Smaller crowds were seen at the fair on Friday but more people attended the fair over the weekend. Remember if you go masks are required on the fairgrounds. Yakima Police are patrolling the grounds but they are not enforcing any mask mandates.