Yakima Valley Sunfair Parade

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Carnival & ParadeYakima
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forMasks, paradesWith over sixty consecutive annual editions
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type
The story

Yakima Valley Sunfair Parade in Yakima

The Yakima Sunfair Parade is downtown Yakima's largest annual procession, held each September along a route of more than a mile and a half through the city's core to kick off the Central Washington State Fair season. The parade draws around ten thousand spectators and roughly two hundred entries, from local schools and businesses to community organizations, along Yakima Avenue.

The Yakima Sunfair Parade has served as downtown Yakima's signature annual procession for well over six decades, growing into the city's largest single parade and a fixture of the local September calendar.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

With over sixty consecutive annual editions, the Sunfair Parade functions as one of the longest-running civic traditions in the Yakima Valley, giving generations of local schools, businesses, and community groups a recurring shared platform to showcase themselves to the broader community

02

The mystery stays covered

Its scale, around two hundred entries moving along more than a mile and a half of downtown Yakima Avenue, makes it the city's largest annual parade, requiring a significant street closure each year to accommodate the full route and crowd

03

The city starts moving

As the event that traditionally opens the region's fair season, the parade serves as a civic marker for the start of late-summer and fall community events across the Yakima Valley

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The parade's role as the traditional kickoff to the region's fair season has remained consistent for decades

Water and renewal

Living ritual

tying the event's September date directly to the start of the broader Central Washington State Fair calendar

The sacred route

Living ritual

Community groups

The local code

Living ritual

and local businesses have long treated participation in the parade as an annual point of civic visibility

Tradition 5

Living ritual

registering entries well ahead of each year's event

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

For Yakima Valley Sunfair Parade, plan transport around the exact Yakima venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual outdoor clothing suited to a September morning in Central Washington; layers are useful given cooler early-morning starts that warm through the day.

Safety

Keep valuables light, set a meeting point, and give processions room to move.

Where to stay

For Yakima Valley Sunfair Parade, stay near the part of Yakima you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map46.60 N, 120.51 WOpen in Google Maps

Yakima, WA

Nearest airportYKM — Yakima Air Terminal McAllister Field
TransportFor Yakima Valley Sunfair Parade, plan transport around the exact Yakima venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Yakima Valley Sunfair Parade, stay near the part of Yakima you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Yakima via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Yakima, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual outdoor clothing suited to a September morning in Central Washington; layers are useful given cooler early-morning starts that warm through the day.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Yakima Valley Sunfair Parade?

Yakima Valley Sunfair Parade is listed for September · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Yakima Valley Sunfair Parade take place?

The festival is listed in Yakima, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Yakima, WA

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLdowntownyakima.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusOfficial source linked
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