Treaty Days rock

Posted by on Jun 10, 2011 | Comments Off

We shoot a lot of parades here in the Yakima Valley. No, I mean a LOT of parades.  Just about every city and town has a community day during the summer months and a parade seems almost mandatory for each of these events. And usually, but not always, these parades are the most visual part of the community celebration so we end up photographing the parade.

All parades are definitely not created equal.

Simply put, some parades rock. And some parades are, well, just parades. You know, people walking by.

For me,  the smaller the community the better the parade. The whole event – the parade participants, floats and parade attendees – seems more relaxed, less formal and more fun.

The Yakama Nation’s annual Treaty Days parade is definitely one of my favorite parades.

It’s got something for everyone. The funny, the traditional, the cute and in the case of yesterday’s Treaty Days parade, full-contact audience participation.

Parade treats were serious business at one point during the parade:

Youngsters grab beaded necklaces and candy from Cato Moses' basket as he hands out the treats at the Yakama Nation's annual Treaty Days parade in Toppenish, Washington June 9, 2011. The theme of the parade, which recognizes the Treaty of 1855, is "One Family, One Nation, Preserving Our Culture Through Generations." (GORDON KING/Yakima Herald-Republic)

This is the photo we ran in print in today’s paper.

The cute:

Younsters from the Sunnyside branch of the Washington State Migrant Council preschool compare candy as they stand along the parade route at the Yakama Nation's annual Treaty Days parade in Toppenish, Washington, June 9, 2011. The theme of the parade, which recognizes the Treaty of 1855, is "One Family, One Nation, Preserving Our Culture Through Generations." (GORDON KING/Yakima Herald-Republic)

The traditional:

Gil Calac leads the Yakama Warriors Association in the Yakama Nation's annual Treaty Days parade in Toppenish, Washington June 9, 2011. The theme of the parade, which recognizes the Treaty of 1855, is "One Family, One Nation, Preserving Our Culture Through Generations." (GORDON KING/Yakima Herald-Republic)

The funny:

Corwin Adams, left, and Leslie Dave, Terry Hemsah and Maleigha Dave rode on powered teepees in the Yakama Nation's annual Treaty Days parade in Toppenish, Washington June 9, 2011. The theme of the parade, which recognizes the Treaty of 1855, is "One Family, One Nation, Preserving Our Culture Through Generations." (GORDON KING/Yakima Herald-Republic)

Another image I liked because of it’s graphic appeal:

Bobby Tahmalwash nets a fake salmon as he rides on the Grant County Public Utility District float in the Yakama Nation's annual Treaty Days parade in Toppenish, Washington. The theme of the parade, which recognizes the Treaty of 1855, is "One Family, One Nation, Preserving Our Culture Through Generations." Tahmalwash is from Wanapum. (GORDON KING/Yakima Herald-Republic)

–Gordon King