On Saturday morning, crowds of people lined 161st Avenue Northeast and Northeast 85th Street in downtown Redmond, watching, as pirates, Darth Vader and his Imperial Stormtroopers, zombies, dancing horses, a dancing dragon and lion and others made their way toward City Hall.

While the sight of such individuals on any other day in Redmond may have been cause for alarm — or at least curiosity — their appearances in town on Saturday was business as usual as they walked alongside marching bands, elected officials, school groups and representatives from other local organizations in the Grand Parade at the 73rd Derby Days festival.

Antim Bansil, who has lived in Redmond for 10 years, attends Derby Days with her family every year and said she enjoys how lively the event — and parades — is.

“You see the community,” she said about what she enjoys the most.

Redmond resident Rachel King agreed that seeing the community is a Derby Days highlight for her. She has attended about seven years out of the 13 years she has lived in Redmond, both before and after she became a mother. Now with a 4-year-old son, King appreciates being able to bring him to such events — especially in the summer when being outdoors is ideal.

“It’s just fun,” she said. “It’s a family event. We need more family events.”

Although King and Bansil see Derby Days as a chance to meet others in their community, their children have other things in mind. King’s 4-year-old son David and Bansil’s 8-year-old daughter Ashika both said their favorite part of the derby was the candy, referring to the sweets various parade marchers pass out to children.

In addition to the parade, other highlights of Derby Days included the Derby Dash 5K run/walk, which benefitted the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Lisa Rhodes, events and marketing administrator for the City of Redmond, said they had record participation this year.

“It was so exciting to see all of those runners coming down 85th Street Saturday morning,” she said.

Rhodes added that she believes they had record attendance for the Fireworks Finale.

“It was great to see the community come together and celebrate the 73rd annual Derby Days festival,” she said.

Jeri Rowe-Curtis, City of Redmond chief policy adviser and communications and marketing administrator, said Derby Days brings out people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds and described the festival as a party for the community.

“I think Derby Days and Redmond Lights are the two anchoring events for the city,” she said.

Derby Days attendees were also able to check out various booths featuring local businesses and organizations.

Redmond City Council member Kim Allen, who spent some time working the City Council booth, described Derby Days as one of Redmond’s hallmark events.

“Every year it gets better and better,” she said.