TULALIP — “It kind of marks the start of the festival season around here,” said Jim Nolan of Arlington, who brought his wife and three daughters to watch the annual Tulalip parade make its way along the waterfront on the Tulalip reservation June 14.

“It’s just a good, fun thing for the community,” said James Lachey, who lives on the reservation and came to the parade with daughter, Susan, 10.

“I really like all the candy,” Susan said without prompting.

The parade featured the representatives of various tribal departments, as well as other local organizations and groups that walked or rode along the parade route in everything from antique cars to floats to golf carts. Many parade participants tossed large handfuls of candy to the crowds gathered curbside.

Begun in 2000, the parade is an outgrowth of the Tulalip Salmon Ceremony, which took place shortly after the parade ended. Starting at round 10 a.m., this year’s parade ran down Marine View Drive, ending at the tribal center.

There was no official tally available, but it appeared that dozens of different groups took part in the parade, from the already mentioned tribal departments to, predictably, numerous groups and organizations from neighboring Marysville.

With the festival ambassadors aboard, the Marysville Strawberry Festival float was one of only a handful of floats in the Tulalip parade.

Another large float was sponsored by the Tribes, celebrating the Tulalip Casino and the coming opening of the attached Tulalip hotel. Tribal Chairman Mel Sheldon served as the announcer for the parade, calling out the names of the various parade participants as they passed the main viewing stand set up near the tribal center.

Sheldon later said the new hotel is on schedule for an August grand opening as previously announced.