Welcome the sailors of the USS Abraham Lincoln by attending the Everett parade starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at Colby Avenue and 26th Street. The route is south on Colby, east on Wall Street, and then north on Wetmore Avenue to the Everett High School.

Red, white and blue streamers will pour off downtown Everett rooftops for an old-fashioned ticker tape parade May 10 to welcome home the sailors aboard the Everett-based USS Abraham Lincoln.

A pre-parade program will begin at 10 a.m. at Colby Square, at the intersection of Colby and Hewitt avenues. The pre-parade program includes: a welcome by Everett Mayor Frank Anderson, presentation of the colors by the Naval Station Everett Sea Cadets, the National Anthem by a quartet of opera singers, a moment of silence for those who have fallen during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Taps played by a bugler from Navy Band Northwest.

In addition, Admiral John Kelly and USS Abraham Lincoln Capt. Kendall Card will speak in Colby Square prior to the parade. And, the Tulalip Tribes Chairman Herman Williams will present a paddle to Capt. Card.

Just before the parade begins at 11 a.m., Mayor Anderson will cut a yellow ribbon that will be tied across Colby Avenue.

The Parade includes color or honor guards from Naval Station Everett, the VFW Post 2100, the Everett Fire Department and the Everett Police Department. Also in the parade are: bagpipers, Navy VIPs, hundreds of sailors and their family members, the Lakewood High School band, the Cascade High School band, the Navy Band, the Everett Iraqi community and scouts who will carry banners of the major sponsors.

The parade route begins at 26th Street and Colby Avenue. It will head south on Colby Avenue, east on Wall Street and north on Wetmore Avenue.

"It will be a homecoming like never before seen in Nuclear Navy history," Mayor Frank Anderson said. "This is going to be spectacular. We invite everyone to come out, watch the parade and welcome home our sailors."

Where To Get Pom Poms

About 10,000 vivid yellow pom poms commemorating the USS Abraham Lincoln's return to its Everett homeport are available to community members on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last. One pom pom will be available per person to those who sign "Welcome Home" banners that will be posted in the Everett Mall near the Mervyn's entrance.

Community members picking up the pom poms from The Everett Mall should plan on bringing them back to either the Heroes' Homecoming day on May 6 at the Port of Everett Pier No. One (community pier) or to the parade. Additional pom poms are being set aside for community members to pick up on homecoming day and parade, but supplies are limited.

Location:

Venue: Misc. / Unlisted

Contact Phone: (425) 257-8687

Time Info: 11 a.m.

Price Info: Free