The annual Northwest AIDS Walk began in 1987 as a fundraiser for AIDS prevention and services to those living with the disease. The 1993 walk, pictured here, drew more than 15,000 participants and raised more than $1.5 million. Because the walk was so popular, organizers set up four different routes, all starting from Seattle Center. The longest route traveled through Myrtle Edwards Park, while the other routes went across Seattle Center, to Kinnear Park, and to Westlake Center.

In 1993 about 15,000 people in Washington were living with HIV, the virus which causes AIDS. More than 2,600 people in Washington had died of the disease at that time and it was the leading cause of death in King County among the 24-44 age group. Despite this, the AIDS Walk had a celebratory tone. Washington Governor Mike Lowry and Seattle Mayor Norm Rice were among the walkers, as were an Elvis impersonator and a pet llama named Reggie who carried water for the attendees. This image shows some of the marchers walking down Broad Street toward Myrtle Edwards Park.

Caption information source: “AIDS marchers celebrate life,” by Scott Maier, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, September 27, 1993, page B1.