Lake Washington Blvd. from Kirkland to Renton was first paved in 1932. Little did city officials know that car cruising would become the pastime of many local teens for decades after the post-WWII boom. That is, of course, until the arrival of the internet and city ordinances banning slow-moving vehicles. 

Fast forward to June of 2020, with our city in full lock-down and group gatherings over five people prohibited, a handful of innovative Kirkland moms found a COVID-safe way to celebrate their graduating high school seniors. They organized a grassroots, old-fashioned car cruise of yesteryear. Seniors from our Kirkland high schools decorated their cars, grabbed a responsible adult to drive, and cruised up and down Kirkland’s Lake Washington Blvd. to the cheers of delighted walkers and residents peering out their windows to see what all the excitement was about.

Last year’s car cruise was such a success, that when it looked like this year’s Class of 2021 would also have their in-person graduations taken away (in addition to all the other lost highlights of senior year: homecoming, football games, prom, etc.)  the torch was passed to a new group of parents and The All Kirkland Class of 2021 Car Cruise was born. This year’s “cruise” again welcomes all Kirkland high schools such as Lake Washington, Juanita, Eastside Prep, ICHS, Leadership Prep, Emerson, and Futures High School, so we can celebrate ALL Kirkland graduating seniors.

With COVID restrictions easing up, we encourage you to come out on Sunday, June 6th (with masks and social distancing as needed depending on your vaccination status) to cheer on these remarkable young adults who have traversed their last year and a half of high school with grit, grace, and resilience that will serve them well in their futures ahead.

All Kirkland Class of 2021 Car Cruise

Sunday, June 6th, 3:15 pm

For staging info, route maps, and all other info, please visit: www.allkirklandclassof2021.com