Berry Dairy Days Grand Parade

Promoting community spirit and participation, the 85th annual Berry Dairy Days Grand Parade is sponsored by Skagit Farmers Supply/ Country Store and Swinomish Casino & Lodge. Kicking off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, this event is one of the weekend’s many highlights. Following tradition, the 2022 Grand Parade will run east down Fairhaven Avenue, between Walnut and Skagit streets in downtown Burlington. After the parade, please join us for the Peoples Bank Festival in the Park located around the Burlington Visitors Information Center off of E. Fairhaven Avenue.

Thousands of spectators come out to support the community and see 70 or more floats/performances. You are likely to see the famous steam tractor owned by Oscar Lagerlund, marching bands, drill and dance teams, 4-H clubs, antique John Deere tractors, local gymnasts and musicians; along with representatives from many local businesses, organizations, and civic groups.

Locally selected judges will award the first, second, and third place parade winners. Winners will be announced on the Berry Dairy Days Facebook page on Monday, June 20th and published on the website the following week.

There will be a complimentary Skagit Transit shuttle, running 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. alternating every 10 minutes between the Burlington-Edison High School parking lot (park your car free) and the corner of Alder and E. Fairhaven Ave.

2022 Grand Marshal: Spinach Bus Ventures

The Burlington Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Spinach Bus Ventures as grand marshal of the 85th annual Berry Dairy Days Grand Parade. They were originally selected for the 2020 parade but it was cancelled and 2022 is the first year back.

Spinach Bus Ventures is a local Venture Capital Group run by five Mount Vernon High School classmates from the class of 1994. The business was formed in 2019 to preserve, promote, and create economic development in the agricultural community of Skagit Valley. Chamber President Steph Vervaart said, “We have been impressed by how we’ve seen this purpose in action the last two years.” Spinach Bus Ventures owns Tulip Town and when the Tulip Festival was cancelled in 2020, they made the best out of a difficult situation and launched their Color for Courage campaign. The campaign allowed individuals to donate a bouquet of Tulip Town tulips

to hospitals, nursing homes, and other courageous members of the community. In total, 4,732 bouquets were donated.

Spinach Bus Ventures also owns the Fairhaven Mill, Skagit Acres, and Skagit Landing, half of which were purchased/launched in 2021. All of them provide a unique product or experience and are rooted in local agriculture traditions.

“It’s amazing to watch this company grow from where they started in 2019 to where they are now in 2022,” Steph said. “Even in an economic downturn and global pandemic their organization has flourished. Their love and passion for this community is evident, and I am excited to see what else they will develop in Skagit County in the future.” mation.

For more information about the parade please call the Burlington Chamber of Commerce at 360-757-0994.

Avoid the rush and sign your float up early! Download your application at: www.BerryDairyDays.com

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