12,000 in Lions Club parade through Seattle

Published 8:43 pm Tuesday, July 5, 2011

SEATTLE — About 12,000 members of Lions Club International from nations around the globe marched Tuesday through downtown Seattle where the volunteer service organization is holding its convention.

Some dressed in native garb or carried their nation’s name in the parade. It included the Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band, club officials riding in convertibles and happy delegates in tourist duck boats blowing kazoos.

A sunny, 70-degree day greeted delegates to the Lions Clubs International 94th International Convention, which runs through Friday in the city.

Transportation officials changed bus routes and warned drivers about congestion, but traffic was relatively light on the day after the Fourth of July holiday.

Lions Club International claims 1.35 million members in 206 countries.