Students walk in the parade with signs and banners.

Over 2,300 students from Vancouver Public Schools and Evergreen Public Schools participated in the Children’s Cultural Parade at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site on May 10 and May 13, 2024. The parade has been a community tradition in Clark County for over 20 years. It is an opportunity for elementary students to showcase learning about world cultures, respect, and kindness.

The Children’s Culture Parade route brought students on a 0.7-mile walk from Pearson Air Museum through the national park and into the fort site. Students carried banners and signs at the parade to represent various cultures from around the world. The annual event celebrates classroom learning while getting students outside at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, the only national park in Clark County.

The Children’s Culture Parade concluded inside the Fort Vancouver stockade, where closing statements by Jeff Snell, Superintendent of Vancouver Public Schools, and Tracy Fortmann, Superintendent of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, honored students’ hard work this school year.

“We’re so proud of our students for the effort they’ve put forward this year,” said Snell. “The parade is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate learning and embrace the rich tapestry of cultures that make our community unique.”

Vancouver and Evergreen Public Schools continue to highlight the importance of global citizenship in uniquely impactful ways. Events like the Children’s Cultural Parade help to encourage lifelong learning and community engagement for Clark County students.