As-it-happened coverage: 1st-ever West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival, report #1

10:41 AM: The sun is out for the start of the first-ever West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival – with lots of people already out and about to enjoy the special middle-of-the-street Farmers’ Market, plus homemade carnival-style activities like pumpkin bowling (above), at our booth with WestSide Baby and West Seattle Bowl (dubbed WSB X 3) on the east side of California/Alaska. You’ll find art by Curious Kidstuff:

And the Community School of West Seattle is here with chickens and a turkey!

20-plus organizations and businesses are offering activities – and right in the heart of Walk-All-Ways, get your questions answered by Farmers’ Market folks – we loved the corncob hat:

Lots of costumed kids and adults out already – and we’re still just under an hour away from the costume parade leaving Junction Plaza Park at 11:30 am, followed by trick-or-treating noon-2 pm – and 2 is when the festival ends, so get down here fast.

More coverage to come!

11:24 AM UPDATE: The costume parade is about to start – the WSHS Marching Band has been warming up, and we discovered that someone who has a lot of experience with parades – Jim Edwards, co-coordinator of the West Seattle Grand Parade – is helping this one get off on the right foot. (The parade looped all the way around the festival site – here’s Jim on his motorcycle:)

And part of the band:

And the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Junior Court:

(added) Video of the parade as it began from Junction Plaza Park:

12:25 PM UPDATE: Hour and a half to go – didn’t think it was possible, but there are even more people here now. Costume-watching continues:

And the Batmans helping each other across the street:

Costumed grownups as well as kids. We’ll have parade video later as well as a second roundup of photos beyond the ones we manage to get into this as-it-happened narrative. Come down and hang out with your neighbors! Also check out the RE/MAX Haunted House over on 44th – which has been drawing lines:

1:30 PM UPDATE: Half an hour to go. So many people have come by the booth – pumpkin-bowling, asking questions about WestSide Baby, saying hi, picking up West Seattle Bowl coupons – thank you! (And if you’re still here or stopping by before 2, we have some of our free WSB ice-scrapers left to give away.) The crowd has been terrific. But the weather’s turned cloudy and cooler, so our respite from the rain might only last as long as the festival …

2:04 PM UPDATE: Starting to fold up – the streets have to be cleared so they can reopen within a couple hours. We will have at least one more report later with lots more photos, and parade video. Thanks to everybody who came to the festival – and all the volunteers/businesses/organizations who made the fun activities happen and provided treats, free.

ADDED: A community-contributed photo – Lisa Secord sent this photo of her 11-year-old son, Brendan Lancaster, dressed as “Great Granny” – she reports the reactions were priceless:

One more business-district trick-or-treat event – Westwood Village, 5-7 pm on Halloween.

Bsmomma October 28, 2012 (11:40 am)

This is soooooo much FUN!!! The WSHS band is awesome!!!

WSB October 28, 2012 (11:43 am)

They are, and it is. We are having a blast. Thanks to the Junction Association and its merchants and the Farmers’ Market and everyone for deciding to do this – it’s as crowded (but in a good way) as Summer Fest, and even before noon on a Sunday! – TR

Admiral Janeway October 28, 2012 (12:37 pm)

Moving the Farmers’ Market into the street was a brilliant idea! Harvest Fest is a great success.

gina October 28, 2012 (12:41 pm)

Sunday is a good choice for this event, looks like the weather is better than yesterday so far.

MercyMoi October 28, 2012 (12:43 pm)

We had to leave early but we had a blast! Great job merchants and community groups!! Our son got to trade candy for a toy at one booth and make a pine cone bird feeder which is hanging in the backyard now. Lots of art to bring home, too! For us this is more memorable and fun than raking in a bucket full of candy. We saw a bunch of friends and neighbors, too…perfect community event. Thank you!!

JJA October 28, 2012 (1:40 pm)

Thank you, everyone who helped create this event!

pam October 28, 2012 (1:41 pm)

What a great event! Thank you to the planners and volunteers – this is West Seattle at its finest!

West Seattle luv October 28, 2012 (1:57 pm)

This was a wonderful event! I really appreciate all the people who worked to put the event together. Great community event.

lina October 28, 2012 (2:12 pm)

this was so fun!! thank you to everyone who made it happen and all the merchants for candy! The wshs band was awesome. I loved all the kids activities. what a great event!!

shed22 October 28, 2012 (2:27 pm)

Awesome time!! Let’s do this again!

fauntleroy fairy October 28, 2012 (3:04 pm)

Great event !

Dawson October 28, 2012 (3:31 pm)

This is a great example of how to hold this event. Great experience

Watchdog October 28, 2012 (3:36 pm)

Thanks to all that made this an awesome event. Closing down the street was a brilliant idea. I hope your kids got some candy from Ron Weasley on skates. I’ll do that again next year!!

timh2o October 28, 2012 (3:40 pm)

Thank you to everyone who helped put this togather!! The kids had a blast, and thank you weather!

Sandy Doherty October 28, 2012 (3:51 pm)

It was great to see the huge turnout at the Junction today. Glad to see everyone had a great time. However… I was simply amazed at how many parents jaywalked their children across traffic filled streets. What are you teaching your children ? That it’s okay to walk out in front of moving vehicles? Or os it just okay if mommy/daddy is with them. Teach your children safe habits that they can carry with them as they grow.It would be a shame if what you taught them today caused them to get hurt one day. There are perfectly good crosswalks all over the Junction, so use them please.

44th Neighbor October 28, 2012 (4:02 pm)

So much more fun — and safe — than last year. Thanks to everyone who made this festival possible!

anotherwsmom October 28, 2012 (4:05 pm)

I want to say thank you. This was incredibly fun, walking around was so much easier, and we were able to get some of our regular shopping done at the same time (thank you WS Farmers Market!). I also noticed that folks were able to get in and out of stores this year. We found some lovely books and a good cup of coffee while there. I’m hoping that means this was good for our local businesses as well.

hotsaucemama October 28, 2012 (4:29 pm)

Thank you to everyone involved in this event. It’s reasons like this I love and live in West Seattle. Although my baby won’t remember his first Halloween, his mama and papa will and we had a blast. Looking forward to many more of these awesome community events.

Brenda October 28, 2012 (4:44 pm)

We want to say thank you to everyone who made this possible. We had a blast and will continue to support our Junction merchants over the big guys!

Westseattleperson October 28, 2012 (4:50 pm)

That was really great! And only one comment complaining in the comments. Bravo west Seattle!

TLC October 28, 2012 (5:15 pm)

We had a great family time today! My son loved every moment! Some very creative costumes, and loved having the farmers market in the middle of the event! Thanks to all that made this possible! We even rode the bus which made this day even more fun!

MAO October 28, 2012 (5:35 pm)

A super event like this is one of the reasons I love living in West Seattle.

Harry Reems October 28, 2012 (5:40 pm)

Great event, it was packed! Awesome to visit so many of the Junction’s stores, and had a great lunch at Seattle Fish Company.

chas redmond October 28, 2012 (6:18 pm)

I’d like to thank all the hundreds of superheros, villains, ghouls, goblins and other youngsters who helped turn several crates of apples into about three gallons of cider. And a special super thanks to Rockridge Orchards and Wade Bennett for their support and the 6 gallons of Rockridge cider we gave out to our helper heroes. It was an incredible adventure and Sustainable West Seattle was privileged, once again, to be part of it.

Sarah October 28, 2012 (6:24 pm)

WOW when a community comes together for all the right reasons incredible things can happen. Junction Association you are quite possibly the most community minded organization I have ever known and while I get this is all good for businesses you support/represent you have to know that whats good for business is taking care of the needs of the community. WELL DONE xxx Can’t wait till next year!

miws October 28, 2012 (6:44 pm)

I was unable to make it, as I had something else going on, but it’s great to hear that it was such a success!

Sadly, it so often seems any one, if not a combo of glitches—Mother Nature, Murphy’s Law, or mis-planning—can make an event anywhere from unpleasant, to a downright disaster, especially a first time event, let alone one that has been going on a few years or so.

This one was done right, and all the planets aligned! :-)

Mike

Trigger October 28, 2012 (6:57 pm)

I for one did not have fun. I was trying.ti get to my watering hole to watch football and could not find any parking. Then my walk was obstructed by people with strollers. If I had known this was going on I would’ve stayed home.

eileen October 28, 2012 (7:09 pm)

Thanks to everyone who made this event possible! It was really nice to see everyone out today!

west seattle mom October 28, 2012 (7:13 pm)

This was so great and a vast improvement over last year. Thank you to everyone that pulled this together. Our kids loved it and the art was such a hit.

jissy October 28, 2012 (7:16 pm)

It was great…. so glad it stayed dry! Was amazed by the turnout and great idea to combine it with the Farmer’s Market!

Sorry for your trouble, Trigger — if you’re a regular on the blog (perhaps you’re not), can’t see how you missed all the info days and weeks ahead of time!

Usual October 28, 2012 (7:22 pm)

Somehow I have a hard time feeling sorry for people actually driving to a bar having trouble parking. What is this, the 50s? As a drinker myself, either take the bus or stay home.

Robyn October 28, 2012 (8:09 pm)

It was a great festival. Thank you to the Junction Association for all the hard work. It was fun to watch so many kids enjoy themselves.

Dad October 28, 2012 (8:14 pm)

My daughter and I had such an great time. I didn’t expect to have that much fun. Also does anyone remember the name of the company taking pictures of the kids for a contest? I lost there card and want to see us on there facebook page when it gets published. They were located in front of City Mouse.

pam October 28, 2012 (8:48 pm)

It is Donna Ryan Photography – She is also the owner of City Mouse

Jtk October 28, 2012 (9:16 pm)

@ sandy. At Alaska and California its walk all ways with walk sign.
@ trigger. Seems like a good idea. Have some drinks and drive home with all the kids and people around. I for one hope you did not find parking and did go home.

A October 28, 2012 (9:19 pm)

Best costume was the cute little one dressed as a gnome!!

i'mcoveredinbees October 28, 2012 (9:31 pm)

We had so much fun. This reminded me of what Summerfest used to be like. So sweet and local. Loved it!

Donna Ryan October 28, 2012 (9:51 pm)

Thanks Pam! Please go to City Mouse Studio on Facebook tomorrow to see your pics!

WSB October 28, 2012 (9:57 pm)

Thanks all for crowdsourcing that one! I was somewhat glued to the keyboard in our booth. Here’s the direct link to City Mouse’s page (sharing since Facebook tends to be difficult to search):
.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/City-Mouse-Studio/163029459331

kg October 28, 2012 (10:51 pm)

Bravo to all of those who made this a great success.

dcn October 28, 2012 (11:03 pm)

It was much bigger and better than I expected. This was WAY more fun than last year’s crowded crawl down packed sidewalks to get candy. Having the streets blocked off made a huge difference. But even more important was the amazing variety of booths with kids activities intermixed with the farmer’s market stalls.

Ssf October 28, 2012 (11:43 pm)

Thank you to the organizers, merchants and volunteers. We had a great time. Loved all the different events and the way it was set up. Looking forward to doing it all again next year.

Nitro October 29, 2012 (12:36 am)

Thanks to the organizers, the junction businesses, the farmer’s market and all of the other tents and booths out there today. We had a great time. Hopefully this will be a continuing tradition!!

Irukandji October 29, 2012 (7:14 am)

We had a great time and KUDOS to the Candytron 3000!

jtm October 29, 2012 (7:27 am)

Awesome event. That is why the Junction is the best, and why I patronize the businesses all year long.

gina October 29, 2012 (8:28 am)

I have a complaint. I wish this festival had started when I was a kid!

Confused October 29, 2012 (12:34 pm)

I don’t quite understand. Why were all those kids wearing strange costumes to a “Harvest Festival”?

WSMama October 29, 2012 (12:44 pm)

Hi WSB! There was a guy filming yesterday at the festival and I was wondering if you know where I can find that footage. So far all I can find is video of the parade on the WS Herald website.

Thanks much!

Cheryl October 29, 2012 (3:44 pm)

Most. Fun. Ever.
.
Hope they do it again next year… and forever after. :-)

Sandy Doherty October 30, 2012 (2:33 pm)

@jtk- You are correct that the intersection at California and Alaska has a walk all ways. The area I was referring to was the area north of Oregon St. This was the area not barricaded for safety ( but should have been).

Sorry, comment time is over.