“Too many choices and not enough time,” is how SDOT headlines this weekend’s citywide traffic/event-alert list … which of course includes West Seattle Summer Fest. Since everything starts with the WSSF road closures tomorrow night, the list is out now – read on!

There’s a lot of ground to cover this weekend, Friday through Sunday, July 13 – 15, whether you do that literally and make the long Seattle to Portland round trip bicycle ride along with 9600 other bicyclists, or you attempt to take in just some of the many Seafair festivals and sports events scheduled in communities across the city.

If you choose to drive, allow for traffic delays associated with special event street closures as well as detours accommodating major construction project closures including the I-5 ramps at Mercer Street and the intersection of N 85th Avenue at Aurora Avenue N.

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) encourages motorists to leave the car and stress at home and let others do the driving by taking Metro Transit, Link light rail, the Sounder Commuter Train, or the West Seattle Water Taxi.

Friday, July 13

West Seattle Summer Fest: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
10,000 attending
*******Streets closed from 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 12 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 15: California Avenue SW between SW Edmunds Street and SW Genesee Street.
Expect congestion in the area.

Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers 7:10 – 10 p.m.
Safeco Field
25,000 attending
Expect heavier traffic before and after the game on streets surrounding the stadium.

Saturday, July 14

Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic: 4:45 a.m. (waves of 500-900 leave every 10 minutes)
Starts at University of Washington E-1 parking lot;
9,600 participants expected
All riders should be out onto the course by 7:30 a.m.; Seattle Police Officers will escort riders until they reach Lake Washington Boulevard; expect congestion in the area.

Crown of Queen Anne Fun Run and Walk: 8 a.m., walk begins; 8:20 a.m., run begins
Gathers at Fifth Avenue W and W Halladay Street
800 participants
Walk/run course: Starts at Fifth and Halladay and runs 3.3 miles along Queen Anne Blvd, ending at Coe Elementary School at Seventh Avenue W and W McGraw Street

Spirit Walk – Health Promotion: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Seattle Center Grounds
300 participants
No traffic impacts expected.

Seafair Milk Carton Derby: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
South end of Green Lake
4,150 attending
When traffic becomes too congested, Seattle Police will close W Green Lake Way N between N 63rd Street and Green Lake Way N.

Wedgwood Art Festival: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
35th Avenue NE and NE 80th Street (private lot)
1,500 attending
Expect congestion in the area.

West Seattle Summer Fest: 10 a.m. – 12 Midnight
15,000 attending
Streets closed from 6 p.m. Thursday, July 12 – 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 15: California Avenue SW from SW Edmunds Street to SW Genesee Street.
Anticipate congestion in the area.

Queen Anne Children’s Parade: 11 a.m.
Gathers at Queen Anne Community Center
150 participants
Parade route start at First Avenue W and W Crockett Street; south on First to W Blaine Street; west on Blaine to Third Avenue W; north on Third to W Howe Street; east on Howe into Community Center playfield; Seattle Police will escort.

Bastille Day – A French Celebration: 11a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fisher Pavilion/Center House – Seattle Center Grounds
2,000 expected
Minimal traffic impacts expected.

Ballard SeafoodFest: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Heart of Ballard business district
25,000 expected
Streets closed from 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 14 – 11:00 p.m. Sunday, July 15: NW Market Street from 20th to 24th avenues NW; 22nd Avenue NW from Ballard Avenue NW to NW 58th Street; Ballard Avenue NW from NW Market to NW Vernon Place; and Leary Avenue NW from NW Market to 20th Avenue NW.
Plan to encounter congestion in the area.

Seattle’s Chinatown/International District Dragon Fest: 12 Noon to 8 p.m.
Business district
12,000 expected
Streets closed from 9 p.m. Friday, July 13 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 15: S King Street from Fifth Avenue S to Seventh Avenue S; Maynard Avenue S between S Jackson Street and S Weller Street. Plan on congestion in the area.

Bastille Bash: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.
2800 and 2900 blocks of E Madison Street;
825 attending
Streets closed: 29th Avenue E from E Madison Street to E Republican Street
Expect congestion in the area.

Rat City Roller Girls: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Key Arena
5,000 attending
Expect heavier traffic on streets near arena.

Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers: 6:10 p.m.
Safeco Field
25,000 attending
Expect congestion around the stadium before and after the game.

Groundswell – A Night of Global Health ( Keynote: Melinda Gates): 7:30-9 p.m.
McCaw Hall
3,000 attending
Traffic may be more congested along Mercer Street prior to event.

Sunday, July 15

See Jane Run Women’s Half Marathon and 5K: 8 a.m., Half Marathon; 8:30 a.m., 5 K
3,000 participants
Two races start and finish in Gas Works Park, using the Burke Gilman Trail, and sidewalks around Lake Union, and in Fremont and Ballard neighborhoods.

Wedgwood Art Festival: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
35th Avenue NE and NE 80th Street (private lot)
1,500 attending
Expect congestion in the area.

Health Fair – Free Health Services: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Key Arena
3,000 expected
Minor traffic impacts.

West Seattle Summer Fest: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
15,000 attending
Streets closed from 6 p.m. Thursday, July 12 – 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 15: California Avenue SW from SW Edmunds Street to SW Genesee Street. Anticipate congestion in the area.

Bastille Day-A French Celebration: 11a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fisher Pavilion/Center House – Seattle Center Grounds
2,000 expected
Minimal traffic impacts expected.

Ballard Seafood Fest: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Heart of Ballard business district
25,000 expected
Streets closed from 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 14 – 11:00 p.m. Sunday, July 15: NW Market Street from 20th to 24th avenues NW; 22nd Avenue NW from Ballard Avenue NW to NW 58th Street; Ballard Avenue NW from NW Market to NW Vernon Place; and Leary Avenue NW from NW Market to 20th Avenue NW.
Plan to encounter congestion in the area.

Seattle’s Chinatown/International District Dragon Fest: 12 Noon to 6 p.m.
Business district
8,000 attending
Streets closed from 9 p.m. Friday, July 13 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 15: S King Street from Fifth Avenue S to Seventh Avenue S; Maynard Avenue S between S Jackson Street and S Weller Street. Plan on congestion in the area.

Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers: 1:10 p.m.
Safeco Field
26,000 attending
Expect congestion before and after the game on streets surrounding the stadium.