Infolinks: *Music * For kids * Pet parade/contests * Food * Authors * Candidates * More

10:48 AM: It’s on! The 10th annual Morgan Junction Community Festival has officially begun, at and around Morgan Junction Park and vicinity, on both sides of California north of Fauntleroy. Vendors and activities until 5, music until 6. … The booth in our photo, at the entrance to the park, is where you want to stop first, for festival info and for the free “Bite of Morgan” tickets while they last.

11:27 AM: Bubbleman‘s about to start his show in the park! When you come, be sure to wander the festival grounds all the way from south to north – we’re on the latter side, just north with the West Seattle Garden Tour, West Seattle TimeBank, Southwest Seattle Historical Society, West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network, and Neighborhood Emergency Communication Hubs.

11:48 AM: Above, a quick Instagram clip of Bubbleman!

Lots of delighted shrieks from the heart of the park, as his show continues. And lots of cool people stopping by the booth – among them, several who’ve said they’re new to West Seattle – summertime is a great time to really plug into the community by visiting events like this, browsing the vendors and organizations who are here.

NOON: If you’re looking for lunch, many options here. Food trucks are in the Washington Federal lot on the east side of California, across from the park; on the southeast corner of California/Fauntleroy, look for the barbecue tent outside West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), where you can buy fresh-grilled lunch with the proceeds all going to help cover festival costs (the festival-presenting Morgan Community Association is an all-volunteer, nonprofit community council).

(Michele at the Thriftway grill)
And there are restaurants in the vicinity too, along California both north and south of Fauntleroy. Meantime, coming up: 1 pm, the “Candidate Corral” opens alongside Beveridge Place Pub; 1:30 pm is the Bark of Morgan pet parade, followed by contests.

12:34 PM: The “Writer’s Realm” meet-the-author area continues – Allan Batchelder was holding court when we stopped by around noon:

Our preview didn’t have the exact-times schedule, so we photographed it over by the tent:

12:50 PM: Just got word the Seattle Police Mounted Patrol has arrived – an officer’s here with Chance – over on the south side of the park.

And along with taking advantage of everything at the festival, don’t miss Morgan Junction’s other attractions. Tom from West Seattle Cellars just stopped by to say hi and mentioned they’re having a rosé tasting 2-5 pm today – they’re at 6026 California SW.

1:16 PM: Also just arrived, Seattle Fire Engine 37.

Go see it before it gets called away on an emergency!

We’re also less than 15 minutes away from the “Bark of Morgan” dog parade. Meantime, we’re told the candidates are ready for your questions at the “Candidate Corral” for the Seattle City Council District 1 race.

(L-R, Pavel Goberman, Phillip Tavel, Brianna Thomas, Shannon Braddock, Chas Redmond, Lisa Herbold, Arturo Robles)
It’s a rare chance to ask what YOU want to know, instead of going to a forum and hearing just what the moderators ask.

1:44 PM: The dog parade has gone by, and now contests are under way west of where we are, on the north side of the park. Adding a quick Instagram clip above, photos to come. (Added:)

2:40 PM: Celtic music on stage now, with McKenzie’s Folly; the Tongan Singers/Dancers are coming up at the top of the hour – we see some young members of the group gathering on the sidewalk south of us. Speaking of the sidewalk – chalk art made today:

In the park, kids’ craft activities continue until 4 pm.

The vendor zone behind Zeeks/Feedback is open until about 5 (get here sooner rather than later) – people you’ll find there include Megan from Flourish Dance Project (WSB sponsor):

From the Seattle Public Library, Diana and Kristina – when you go to your nearby public library, ask them about Summer Reading Bingo (for adults!):

You can also find out more about the US Tennis Association‘s summer tennis camps at the Solstice Park courts near Lincoln Park:

USTA is advertising the camps on WSB to get the word out. Another WSB sponsor you’ll find here every year – award-winning Ventana Construction – here’s co-proprietor Anne Higuera:

(added) A view of the park during the Tongan group’s performance:

4:09 PM: Last hour for vendors and organizations – things have slowed down and some are packing it in already. Thanks yet again to all the wonderful people who have stopped by to say hi; we’ve had a great time hanging out in a new spot this year.

ADDED SUNDAY: A few more festival scenes from our photo reel. Here’s “Archer Addy” and mom Tracy Nachtrieb in the “Meet the Authors” zone:

Also talking with readers, Mike Hickey:

King County’s Doug Marsano with a young festivalgoer at the county’s booth explaining the ongoing local wastewater-related projects:

Nothing but sunshine, all day long!