Wenatchee turns out as thousands of youngsters take part in Youth Parade

WENATCHEE — The TekniPlex Youth Parade returned Saturday morning, filling downtown streets with music, movement and thousands of young participants as part of the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival.

The parade began at 11 a.m. at Triangle Park, traveling down Orondo Avenue before turning onto Mission Street and continuing to Fifth Street. Along the route, crowds gathered several rows deep in places, with families lining the sidewalks to watch as more than 4,500 children ages 14 and younger took part.

The Youth Parade is one of the largest events of its kind in Washington, built almost entirely around youth participation. School bands, drill teams, dance groups and community organizations made up the bulk of the entries, creating a steady procession that stretched well over an hour.

This year’s parade included appearances from local law enforcement and emergency services, youth sports teams, scouting groups and a wide range of school-based programs. Marching bands from across the region rotated through the route, while drill teams and gymnasts performed along the street, often pausing to showcase routines in front of the crowd.

Folklórico dancers were a prominent part of the lineup, with multiple groups bringing bright dresses and traditional performances that added color and movement throughout the parade. Gymnastics teams followed with tumbling passes and coordinated routines, drawing cheers from spectators along the route.

Familiar festival figures also made appearances, including Sparky the Fire Dog and a Life Flight helicopter-themed vehicle that drew attention as it moved through the parade.

Apple Blossom Festival royalty rode in the procession, including Queen Brielle Precht and Princesses Kaylee Pearsons and Parker Averi, along with this year’s Junior Royalty, Queen Elena Gomez Alvarez and Princesses Penny Ouellette and Aurora Castillo.

The parade also recognized community contributors, with Kevin and Jayne Vitulli of Nick’s Bricks serving as grand marshals.

As in previous years, the event highlighted a wide range of local organizations, from schools and youth programs to nonprofits and businesses, many incorporating spring and blossom themes into floats and costumes.

By the time the final entries passed through downtown, the streets remained crowded, with families lingering along the route and children weaving through the sidewalks, many still in costume or carrying pieces from their group’s performance.

As the parade came to a close, the message was clear in the music, the movement and the crowd itself: this is a community that shows up for its kids.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media