[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6190899,"mediaKeyId","5038365-8f016ce6b6b28ab17527ef3a6411a0c2","parentId",5038365,"title","Auburn staff outline parade logistics and holiday traditions; Veterans Day parade highlighted as year-round tribute","audioSeconds",149,"startMs",1608000,"endMs",1757000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5038365-8f016ce6b6b28ab17527ef3a6411a0c2&start=1608&end=1757","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5038365-8f016ce6b6b28ab17527ef3a6411a0c2/thumbnail_1608000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6190899/Auburn/King-County/Washington/Auburn-staff-outline-parade-logistics-and-holiday-traditions-Veterans-Day-parade-highlighted-as-year-round-tribute","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190899-39be9323855c9679428faf3d3a47e664/orig.mp4?Expires=1773676993&Signature=dwxCVJtoyNJYjzXCyVc15900jHP5faRFRCkuoa6yEIJ-CmgQHYfnBFf27q7F9a1CEqyrRbBx4PG1p8W39ZapBI2BpU5~wnWwG6njbzm5HSG~Sfuhc~~dna9q6UrBAnfrZrFywRziUMbYt8dlhF87EpM8dd9Oi1LlHDP-IH4MxCvBGemEQq5OwHXEmckDKDhfCVE9vyEnjDwPxXvxQt2iMR~Pu5pxz3VOO1YEsUQtgAR57HkhhC8ttn2Q-Ki9RPKm4QBr9lBp-rWq1u4o1ChCalu0nulGL8OQhdxfuAEmJM3WY7-59M83Zey0NBI5ZsGpCsjRfSVMoywNBDzhVDhTgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Auburn City, WA","date","2025-06-20T13:01:39Z","article","Mayor Nancy Backus and Kristi Pichars discussed Auburn’s signature parades and holiday programming during an interview on That’s So Auburn.

“a little bit of rain is such a small price to pay to say thank you to the veterans who certainly went through worse than some raindrops to protect our freedoms,” Backus said while describing why she prefers to walk in the Veterans Day parade rather than ride.

Pichars described the Veterans Day parade as a tightly regimented event that takes years to perfect. She told the host she uses checklists and post-event debriefs to place entries and refine logistics and that “it's taken me 19 years to figure it out.” Backus and Pichars said the parade draws deep crowds regardless of weather and that community groups such as the Lions Club and local dealerships donate vehicles and volunteer support.

For the holiday season, Pichars said work is already under way for the Lighted Santa parade scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, and that “all the forms are updated, and we've got our band, almost secured.” She identified the recurring band as the Christmas Crooners and described plans for a tree-lighting at City Hall and a child nomination to flip the switch.

Staff emphasized that both parades are community traditions that organizers treat as part of year-round programming to support veterans and families.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","That's so Auburn! S3E5 | Meet the Magic Makers: The Women Behind Auburn’s Biggest Events","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Nancy Backus and event supervisors described the Veterans Day parade’s long-running traditions, parade logistics and a planned Lighted Santa parade on Dec. 6, including band arrangements and the tree‑lighting ceremony.","taxTitle","Auburn, King County, Washington","taxId",2616,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6190905,"Petpalooza grew from a small dog trot to a 160‑plus‑vendor regional draw, city staff say",92,1213000,1305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5038365-8f016ce6b6b28ab17527ef3a6411a0c2&start=1213&end=1305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5038365-8f016ce6b6b28ab17527ef3a6411a0c2/thumbnail_1213000.jpg","/articles/6190905/Auburn/King-County/Washington/Petpalooza-grew-from-a-small-dog-trot-to-a-160plusvendor-regional-draw-city-staff-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190905-9cc51339f8a809bdf00f3a34c494eae2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773676993&Signature=dtrRQSmdE1gt-qUMe-pVvRNW40y~FxxWTg6S9pai05gS7lCz4QaadpV8xmOIFBIkJ76zQvFu92a4w~M7Yrn5fXM3qtCcVT7Mq~9gUjqRiNIy8bPkY~X7uRxU8QSs7QXfOHOIYro-TqcbabxSmaMfG5AfMGTOPF4jeXcJz~tfzZosp9LpKo~71zSgz1EU8Sjta8rrGQjW9E-d3uuwO~FDOViRiz7gChMeeGSnQ~XxjP0FPP3SIApyow6S~rIgXVlgMez3BdK~O8RRTiBbiyHt5wkC6OJPUdZYODZQZIhnyzw6NRCtNBBICe9CvbFJ5QzmmDKXop9TMrNr1bo5bJnWOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kristi Pichars, interim event supervisor for Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation, described the origins and growth of Petpalooza and gave attendance and vendor figures during That’s So Auburn.

Pichars said she proposed a dog-focused event after seeing dog-friendly participation at other community events and that “the first event was held in 02/2008.” She said the inaugural event drew 132 dog-trot participants and roughly 60 vendors; in recent years Petpalooza has grown to “right at 500” attendees and more than 160 vendors.

Pichars noted the event has expanded commercial offerings and attractions—what began with three food vendors now includes many more food options and entertainment such as the Seattle Fly Dogs. Mayor Nancy Backus and Pichars both described family-friendly, low- or no-cost activities including a free petting zoo and volunteer-run contests.

Amanda Valdez, events coordinator, said the vendors and volunteers are a core part of the event and that Petpalooza typically attracts both dogs and other animals in creative displays. Pichars said she still reviews post-event debriefs each year with staff to refine logistics.

Staff said weather affects attendance; the most recent Petpalooza was rain-impacted but still had substantial participation.","Kristi Pichars, who created Petpalooza after joining Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation, described the event’s evolution since 2008 and said recent attendance reached roughly 500 with more than 160 vendors.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6190908,"Auburn mayor, event staff outline summer calendar and Farmers Market access improvements",1013,1048000,2061000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5038365-8f016ce6b6b28ab17527ef3a6411a0c2&start=1048&end=2061","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5038365-8f016ce6b6b28ab17527ef3a6411a0c2/thumbnail_1048000.jpg","/articles/6190908/Auburn/King-County/Washington/Auburn-mayor-event-staff-outline-summer-calendar-and-Farmers-Market-access-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190908-b3e687afcf4b96e83e4d90d802660952/orig.mp4?Expires=1773676993&Signature=mZHwuRNHASNR1DjhdXuuw5bPlEdh5-jZGJG7eAzsSwjzfGhBALTMY7oqYRVbr~7IjN0LVOxMpU4BTQ09bAjySi~HmgP3BVXrlk~PXHYoEjYQrIqihbb4hca5oLEj0JrOtBye16AXwh4evX87wjRAxN7n87KL4qP0vLUai6Ie6Jw4ecbjhpcr69g8XCWr0lGINwvFqfiHLOaQlri6TZwf2Sv7vXtdg1lRSq42kow2UYSS3ps2jNBuUAhXfGq70HqXEdwnk4fyHykXddk2npkyof4wrHNCfX7tfFSoxR~MuXSSrjE73yOZYiAY2Vp8sZWRGYJh8-lepFFRTlIXcw4LPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Nancy Backus and two Parks, Arts and Recreation event staff described Auburn’s summer lineup and changes at the Auburn Farmers Market during a recorded interview segment of That’s So Auburn.

“It's 1 of my favorite places to be,” Mayor Nancy Backus said of the market. Amanda Valdez, events coordinator for the city, said the market’s new layout is “more ADA accessible” and that the market now locates the information and EBT booths inside the Les Gove Multipurpose Building.

Valdez said the market runs every Sunday, June through Sept. 14, and that the city operates “at least 3 or 4 different food access programs at the market,” enabling residents to spend federal benefits with farmers and processed-food vendors. The market also gives away 100 free kid kits every month and schedules themed market days including Juneteenth on June 22 and a Father’s Day feature the week of June 15.

Staff described activities and low-cost options for families. Kids’ Day is scheduled for June 24 at Les Gove Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with hands-on art activities, a Touch-a-Truck area, inflatables and more. Valdez said many vendors are Auburn-based and are “highly encouraged to provide a free hands on activity for kids.”

The market changes follow what Valdez called community feedback and operational goals to improve flow on park paths and increase access to the splash pad area. Both Backus and Valdez emphasized the market’s role as a weekly community hub where staff and volunteers often recognize returning customers by name.

City staff encouraged residents to visit the market for fresh produce and community programming over the summer.","Mayor Nancy Backus and Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation staff described the city’s summer events schedule and said the Auburn Farmers Market has a new, more ADA-accessible layout plus multiple food-access programs and family activities running Sundays through Sept. 14.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Auburn staff outline parade logistics and holiday traditions; Veterans Day parade highlighted as year-round tribute

Petpalooza grew from a small dog trot to a 160‑plus‑vendor regional draw, city staff say

Auburn mayor, event staff outline summer calendar and Farmers Market access improvements