“Let the Wild Rumpus Start!”

The call echoed through the halls of Woodland Elementary in Bremerton on June 6 as the school began its 27th Annual Book Float Parade.

Students marched through the hallways in costume carrying banners and marching before floats built upon book or audiovisual carts depicting scenes from the students’ favorite books.

The theme of this year’s parade was based upon children’s author Maurice Sendak,  the recently deceased author of books such as “Where the Wild Things Are,” but other books such as “Pirates Don’t Change Diapers” and many others also were featured.

Classes at the school vote on a favorite book read during the year and design a theme to present to other students.

Jeff McCormick, principal of the school said the parade is an enjoyable way to engage young people in learning as well as work together on shared projects.

“It is a way to promote literacy and for the kids to have fun while they are doing it,” he said.

After the parade, students gathered in the school’s gym to view the floats again and offer applause as floats were awarded prizes such as best banner, best character design or most realistic float.

Jeff Sullivan, staff master of ceremony for the event, said the parade was a fun event shared by all of the students in the school.

“It is an end of the year event that brings everyone together to celebrate literacy, books and music,” he said. “It is a very unique Woodlands event.”

Jordan Le Duc, a sixth grader at the school, said he enjoyed working on his class’s float dedicated to the children’s book series “Fablehaven” as well as other aspects of the event.

“I have been here since I was in kindergarten and it is one of my favorite events, and afterwards we get root beer floats,” he said.

McCormick said the parade was more than a yearly event; it was an “enduring tradition” that defined school-time for many students.

“Graduating  seniors often mention the parade as one of their favorite memories of the school,” McCormick said. “It is one of those common experiences that tie all of our students together.”