AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE: West Seattle Summer Fest, day 1, first report

(QUICK LINKS: Bus reroutes here … Festival music schedule here … festival food options here … kids’ ride hours and pricing here)

11:51 AM: We are already approaching the third hour of West Seattle Summer Fest 2018 – and what you see above is part of what’s new this year: Giant games, on the east side of California SW, just north of SW Oregon, free for anyone, any age, to play. If you’re not ready to play, browse the year-round merchants’ sidewalk sales and visiting vendors and see who and what’s here. A couple places that caught our eye during our first stroll:

Those booths are both on the south block of California SW, between Alaska and Edmunds. (The Living Computer Museum itself is in nearby SODO – we are definitely making a note to visit sometime soon!) On the east side of that block, you’ll find these two WSB sponsors next to each other:

Talk to GoodMed about their unique plan for helping you and your loved ones stay healthy; talk to Westside School about the preK-8 programs at their campus in Arbor Heights. We’ve noticed MANY WSB sponsors at the festival and we’ll spotlight more through the weekend. Whether you’re new to West Seattle or a longtime resident, this is a great time to discover and celebrate what’s local. And to just plain celebrate – if you’re doing that with the little ones, note that the ride-ticket booth is on SW Alaska, east of 44th SW:

This is the best time to wander the festival – the scheduled events haven’t yet ramped up – first music on the main stage is a Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) showcase at 3:30 pm – you’ll also see the folks from Mode at the mentioned-above Giant Games zone. More to come!

P.S. Yes, that’s the Guardian One helicopter that just looped over the festival a couple times. Haven’t seen them over here in a while!

12:33 PM: Lots of people here already – including a West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) tour group of sorts:

That’s one corner of the view from our spot in the Info Booth (aka Info Tent), one place where you’ll also find community groups/organizations/agencies – here’s the schedule. Others are scattered throughout the festival – for example, if you have questions about Sound Transit‘s West Seattle light rail, ST is here …

So is the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project, aka viaduct-to-tunnel, asking the big question of whether you’re ready for that big closure when the switchover is made, likely this fall. Both those transportation agencies are in the main row of booths on California SW; wander a bit east on SW Alaska toward Junction Plaza Park and you’ll find the GreenLife zone, with even more community organizations, including the West Seattle TimeBank. GreenLife programming (here’s the schedule) starts at 1 pm, with a welcome from the Duwamish Tribe, followed by a discussion of Native issues.

1:12 PM: That’s been delayed. But there are many reasons to visit GreenLife, focused this year on the health of Puget Sound and other Salish Sea waters. Including the orca ride:

(Several people have asked us about PCC [WSB sponsor] – they’ll be at GreenLife tomorrow, we’re told.) Also on the central-east stub of the festival zone – SW Alaska east of California – you’ll find classic fair food, including elephant ears. Roasted corn, too! If you’re looking for cotton candy – a popular question many years – that’s over next to the kid-rides ticket booth on the west side of SW Alaska.

2:43 PM: For everyone who asked – the official festival Beer Garden (up on California by the West Seattle Eagles HQ and the main stage, north of Oregon) is now open. Meantime, Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail – which has a booth this year, west side of California between Oregon and Alaska – tells us that the Southern Resident Killer Whales’ J and K pods have just returned to the San Juans, first K-pod visit there since March.

3:16 PM: Two more WSB sponsors who are here – on the northeast corner of California/Alaska, not far from their bricks-and-mortar studio, Fitness Together West Seattle:

They have a Summer Fest special going on – ten personal training sessions for $500. And in the booths on California, visiting from Delridge (and Burien!), it’s Camp Crockett:

Speaking of dogs, if you bring yours and s/he needs to cool off, check out the Pet Junction zone by Next to Nature along the west side of California just north of Alaska:

We’ve been here six hours now and can attest to the fact that it’s not too hot – nice breeze here in the heart of The Junction (of course, we have some shade). Meantime, music is about to start up at the main stage, and we’ve heard that philanthropist Adah Cruzen is visiting the Southwest Seattle Historical Society booth on the east side of California just south of Alaska starting at 4 pm. We’ll be launching our second report – the afternoon-evening edition – shortly!

15 Replies to "AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE: West Seattle Summer Fest, day 1, first report"

  • zephyr July 13, 2018 (12:38 pm)

    I went early just like you  said and picked a souvenir poster from the nice lady down at the information booth.  Thanks, WSB!

  • just wondering July 13, 2018 (2:09 pm)

    When does the beer garden open?

  • Terri July 13, 2018 (2:44 pm)

    Who is sponsoring the “orca ride?” It is not an appropriate way to raise awareness of the plight of either our wild orcas or those languishing in captivity.

    • WSB July 13, 2018 (2:46 pm)

      It’s part of GreenLife, which is all about saving the Salish Sea and the SRKWs this year. Sustainable West Seattle is presenting GL.

      • Terri July 13, 2018 (3:46 pm)

        I know what the theme is, which is why I was surprised to see this ride, and thought perhaps it was sponsored by a separate group. Thanks, WSB … will address my concerns to Sustainable West Seattle.

      • Terri July 13, 2018 (5:36 pm)

        Just FYI, I messaged Sustainable West Seattle, and they told me that they did not arrange the orca ride, but that it was the “idea and doing” of the West Seattle Junction Association.

        • WSB July 13, 2018 (5:40 pm)

          WSJA is run by lora@wsjunction.org – she is all about feedback, though she is literally running around the festival grounds so I can’t guarantee you’ll get an immediate reply.

    • Chuck Jacobs July 13, 2018 (2:59 pm)

      All the orcas I know are very open minded and cool with people riding fiberglass replicas. One actually owns a small business that takes these rides around to street fairs and festivals. I don’t think it’s this one though.

      • proudpapa July 13, 2018 (4:00 pm)

        Comment of the day!Chuck wins (a free orca ride – of the fiberglass type or course, not a living one)!

    • proudpapa July 13, 2018 (3:57 pm)

      It isn’t a real Orca for goodness sake, and it is a great draw for kids which starts the dialog. Sometimes you need a hook to catch the onlookers.

    • freewilly July 13, 2018 (5:16 pm)

      Really!?!?!?

  • Me July 13, 2018 (3:04 pm)

    The orca ride looks awsome and kids love it

  • Elle July 13, 2018 (5:18 pm)

    Just got back home from the fun–we enjoyed ourselves a lot! We suggest the Mexican corn/elote. Delicious!

  • anonyme July 15, 2018 (2:56 pm)

    While I don’t think most people/kids who take the orca ride also think it’s OK to ride captive orcas, Terri does make a valid point.  Thanks for bringing it up.  It’s good to be aware of what we might unknowingly be endorsing, and no orca should be ever be enslaved or used for entertainment.

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