West Seattle Summer Fest 2014: Live coverage, Friday’s 1st report

10:16 AM: That’s the SDOT traffic camera pointing north on California at Alaska – right over our vantage point in the heart of West Seattle Summer Fest, which has just officially opened. We’ll be covering it live for the next three days, but you can also count on us for other news coverage, especially breaking news, as it happens, so you won’t miss a thing. First, some info links:

TODAY’S HOURS: 10 am-8 pm
MUSIC: Schedule here; Squirrel Butter is first at 2 pm, Yada Yada Blues Band at 9 pm
FOOD: Local year-round restaurants plus vendor stands on the south side of Alaska, east of California
BABY/TODDLER FEEDING/CHANGING: Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) booth by NW Art and Frame; City Mouse Studio/Store at 4218 SW Alaska
KID ZONE: Rides/bouncy toys/ticket booth are on Alaska west of California; also, activities in the Wells Fargo drive-thru
PET JUNCTION: First-of-its-kind pet zone is on California north of Oregon
VENDOR LIST – here
VENDOR MAP – here (by number, per the list)
GREENLIFE SCHEDULE – here – first event today, Zumba at 1 pm
COMMUNITY TENT SCHEDULE – here (scroll down)
BUS REROUTES – here

12:01 PM: Two hours into Day 1, lots of fun so far. Lots of shade and breeze, too, so it’s a great place to get out of the heat. While you’re browsing vendor booths, you can snag some shade too – stop and chat with folks like Gina with Snooter-doots:

Rides and bouncy toys for kids are just west of our spot in the Info Booth – they’re on Alaska west of California and also in the Wells Fargo drive-through. Here’s the price list:

Plenty of activities sprinkled throughout the rest of the festival – for example, the West Seattle Y (WSB sponsor) is just north of us, and it’s offering jumping and hula-hooping.

The new Pet Junction area on California north of Oregon has the MaxMobile pet-adoption van, today only:

Throughout the festival, the Community Tent – actually two canopies – can be found on the south side of Easy Street’s corner of California/Alaska, with a rotating list of local community/nonprofit organizations:

Here’s today’s list of participating groups whose reps are looking forward to meeting you there:

10 am -2 pm
Environmental Science Center
34th District Democrats

2 pm – 6 pm
Seal Sitters
West Seattle Girl Scouts
Seattle Parks for All
WS Green Spaces
Friends of Seattle’s Urban Forests

Some nonprofits have their own spots around the festival grounds – among them, the West Seattle Food Bank, which asked us to share an announcement:

Summer Fest is on all weekend and the West Seattle Food Bank is selling $5 raffle tickets for a chance to win two unrestricted roundtrip tickets on Alaska or Horizon Airlines (no blackout dates) PLUS a 10% discount at 5 fabulous West Seattle restaurants, Christo’s on Alki, Elliott Bay Brewery & Pub, Talarico’s Pizzeria (you could use both of those the day you’re at SummerFest), Menchie’s Admiral & Zeeks Pizza. All proceeds go to help our West Seattle families in need. Stop by and see them and you’ll get a free new cool car window sticker. They’re across from West 5!

The Southwest Seattle Historical Society booth is on the north side of Alaska, east of California, and Seymour History the marmot is on hand until 3 pm with volunteers from the Washington State Historical Society joining SWSHS reps – read more about that here.

Meantime, here in the Info Booth (look for the big INFORMATION sign as well as the WSB banner), service organizations’ volunteers are helping out throughout the weekend too – today, meet reps from the Rotary Club of West Seattle (who also are selling $5 tote bags to raise money for Pencil Me In For Kids, which gets school supplies to kids in need).

12:46 PM: In the background on the block between Alaska and Edmunds, the unmistakable sound of work continuing on the two under-construction projects, including 4730 California at midblock:

We got a tip that the contractor, Compass, is offering cool drinks, and stickers, so check it out if you pass that way. That project has topped out, which means shade where it didn’t exist before.

1:30 PM: When you are at Summer Fest, don’t miss GreenLife – it’s tucked in the parking lot on the west side of California just north of Edmunds (east of the Chase ATM drive-thru). Sustainable West Seattle is managing it again this year, with local sustainability-focused businesses participating, onstage performances and demonstrations and … chickens!

And next to the Info Booth, a pigeon sighting – the official art for this year’s Summer Fest posters etc. is also a photo-op station (that’s West Seattle Junction Association director Susan Melrose at left):

Also getting into the festival spirit – Seattle Police assigned to Summer Fest patrol. Officers Steiger and Dobson met up with West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty:

More to come – we’ll be launching the second round of as-it-happens coverage around 3 pm, after a couple of non-festival news notes.

Donald July 11, 2014 (2:19 pm)

Charging for kids rides at a neighborhood street fair? Boo.

WSB July 11, 2014 (2:43 pm)

The money is charged by the company that provides and manages the rides, Clowns Unlimited, as is the case at other fairs/carnivals; other vendors here charge for their services and merchandise. There are also free kids’ activities – art projects, etc. – both in the kids’ area under the Wells Fargo drive-thru roof and in many booths, like the SW Seattle Historical Society booth along the south side of Cupcake Royale, and the Y booth right here at California/Alaska. But certainly you could express your opinion to the WS Junction Association, which presents Summer Fest – lots of contact info at http://wsjunction.org – TR

Eddie July 11, 2014 (2:36 pm)

Donald – who did you expect to pay for all that ride equipment?

let them swim July 11, 2014 (2:36 pm)

Hey Donald, why don’t you set up the rides next year and donate your time and expenses?

Mark July 11, 2014 (6:06 pm)

DONALD! These organizers are working VERY hard to provide a FUN FAMILY event. If the rides were free, who would even pay for them? I suggest YOU volunteer next year and BUILD the rides YOURSELF!

Case July 11, 2014 (6:32 pm)

The rides are not cheap either!! Guess that’s the way it goes

sc July 11, 2014 (7:31 pm)

I grew up in the north end of Seattle (Greenwood) but have lived in West Seattle for 28 years. I can remember going on the rides at Woodland Park for 10 cents (this was the 60’s!) but I’m sure it was relative to wages at the time. It was a special treat to go on the rides but most of the time our “entertainment” was going to Greenlake to swim and Golden Gardens and Carkeek to run and play on the beach! My dad also took us to the water tower at Volunteer park and said he’d meet us at the top! Seattle is a great city with many “free” things to see and West Seattle has a wonderful share of these “free” things also!

Mark July 11, 2014 (7:53 pm)

I just got back from the festival. There was a nice blend of vendors and it seems VERY family fun. Excited to bring my kids tomorrow and PAY for the rides because it is supporting a COMMUNITY effort that we should ALL value. A big thank you to WSB for your coverage of this GREAT event!

Alphonse July 11, 2014 (11:10 pm)

I wonder if this is the same parent who complained that the free Junction trick or treating occurred during their children’s nap time.

L July 12, 2014 (12:18 am)

the arts & crafts and face painting in the Wells Fargo lot are all free. The line for facepainting can be long but, again, it’s free!
maybe a little somethin’ for everyone ;)

miws July 12, 2014 (9:42 am)

sc, did you have one of those elephant keys that activated some of the boxes (others were simply push-button), at the various animal exhibits, that gave audio information of the animals? :-)

Mike

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