Parade leads off Octoberfest
Tue, 09/26/2006
School spirit and a high school homecoming parade will add traditional fall pep to Burien's fifth annual OctoberFest/Von Boorian Days on Saturday, Sept. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 1.
New this year, the Highline High School Homecoming Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday will kick off the usual lineup of festival activities: live entertainment, Burien's only full carnival, a benefit walk to aid homeless women, and a beer and wine garden.
OctoberFest/Von Boorian Days will also include approximately 80 booths offering food, arts and crafts.
Featured in the Homecoming Parade are the Highline High School marching band, cheer squad, homecoming royalty in convertibles, decorated cars and scooters, and various classes and groups, according to Lori Box, Highline High School's activities coordinator.
The parade will begin on Southwest 152nd Street by the festival stage near Sixth Avenue Southwest. Marchers will head east on 152nd to Fourth Avenue Southwest, turn right onto Fourth and continue south to Southwest 153rd Street, turn right onto 153rd and continue west to Sixth, turn right onto Sixth and end at the festival stage-where a pep rally is planned.
Highline High School moved its entire homecoming celebration from its customary date, which is later in the fall, just so it could participate in the festival, Box said.
Also at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, an easy 2.5-mile walk through the heart of Burien will help homeless women. Proceeds from the 5th Annual 152nd Street Walk will go to Hospitality House, a 501(c)(3) shelter in Burien for homeless women supported by 11 area churches.
A drawing for prizes will be held at the festival stage after the walk ends. Day of event registration costs $20 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Hospitality House table near the festival stage on Southwest 152nd Street at Sixth Avenue Southwest.
All day Saturday and Sunday, live entertainment will rock the festival stage at Southwest 152nd Street and Sixth Avenue Southwest.
Funtastic will thrill and chill with a popular mix of carnival rides and games to delight young and old alike.
The event's beer and wine garden will be hosted by Mick Kelly's Irish Pub at 435 S.W. 152nd St. Shop the booths lining Southwest 152nd Street for festival-style food or arts and crafts.
Burien's OctoberFest is becoming known as Von Boorian Days in honor of Gottlieb (Von) Boorian, the man from whom the city of Burien takes its name.
The German-born (Von) Boorian and his wife, Emma, were among the first settlers in Burien. After arriving in Burien in the late 1800s, the couple lived in a log cabin on the lake that became known as Lake Burien.
Festival hours are Saturday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Discover Burien Association sponsors the event.
For more information, call (206) 433-2882 or go online to www.discoverburien.com.