Update: A plan to put the party back into Alki’s ‘car-free day’

(WSB photo, May 2012)
With a month and a half to go until Alki’s car-free day, aka Seattle Summer Streets – coming up May 19th, right after the West Seattle 5K wraps up – one beach resident says the event needs more fun. So Guy Olson is hoping to inspire others by organizing a two-part event that he hopes will turn into something big:

I have 2 DJ’s, one band, and “The Bubble Man” committed so far. My home has a large balcony in the heart of Alki Beach, overlooking the beach, in the middle of the nearby bars/restaurants, and the avenue. My plan is to have all the performers perform from the driveway directly next door and the bubble artist on my patio/deck/balcony.

And that’s just for starters. For the next part of the plan, you, your family/friends/kids/schoolmates/etc. are invited to join in:

The biggest idea, which I will need the most help with, is: “West Seattle’s Largest Costumed Bicycle Parade.”

This parade will begin at 1:00 pm on May 19, 2013. The parade will begin at 63rd and Alki Avenue continuing to Seacrest Park on Harbor Avenue and then looping back to El Chupacabra on Alki Avenue. This will be the “finish line” and the place for our post-parade party. … I’m hoping for a huge turnout and to make this “Alki Car-Free Day” a very memorable experience for everyone I possibly can.

So mark your calendar, and think sun – as noted at the end of last year’s WSB report, we haven’t really seen it since the first “car-free day” in 2008! – and if you have a bike, be ready to join Guy’s parade.

P.S. As noted on the city’s official Summer Streets page, citizen-organized events like this are welcomed – so if you have an idea, get going with it too!

SATURDAY NOTE: Guy clarifies that this is being planned in conjunction with the Alki Beach Creeps Bicycle Club – you’ll remember them for the big cleanup at Constellation Park last month.

25 Replies to "Update: A plan to put the party back into Alki's 'car-free day'"

  • QQman April 5, 2013 (10:51 am)

    I might be out of town this weekend, if not, count me in. I love the idea. I just wish there were more neighbors willing to do what Guy is doing, and not just in Alki, but all over WS.

  • Marie M April 5, 2013 (11:15 am)

    Yes! The car free days have been nice in the past, but not especially fun. This is a wonderful plan. What a Guy!

  • Nwmama April 5, 2013 (11:28 am)

    Fun! I wonder if there might be interest in a preschooler bike/costume course for little ones. Either way,
    We are in.

  • Chris W April 5, 2013 (11:58 am)

    In!

  • AlkiPartyTreasures April 5, 2013 (2:11 pm)

    We are a WS Blog sponsor, Alki Party Treasures, West Seattle’s online party supply store and co-leading the Admiral 4th of July Kids Parade. How can we get in touch with Guy? We’d be happy to help with the parade and post parade party! Jackie at alkipartytreasures dot com

  • Sonoma April 5, 2013 (2:38 pm)

    I love these ideas; I just wish car-free day were a little later in the year, when the weather is more likely to cooperate (August, maybe). You’d get a bigger turnout.

  • Guy April 5, 2013 (3:07 pm)

    Well Sonoma, if life gives you lemons….

  • WSGal April 5, 2013 (3:34 pm)

    The Bubble Man is great!

  • Ms. Sparkles April 5, 2013 (3:35 pm)

    ….add vodka & a little Contreau and make Lemon Drops! =-)

  • Watchdog April 5, 2013 (4:20 pm)

    I’m trying to get a bunch of roller skaters together to help promote this. I’ll check back soon!

  • cj April 5, 2013 (4:22 pm)

    Its on a Sunday, isn’t Alki cut off from bus service on Sunday?

    • WSB April 5, 2013 (4:23 pm)

      Can’t speak for the other buses but the Water Taxi shuttles will be running, since 7-day-a-week service resumes this coming Monday.

  • West Seattle Hipster April 5, 2013 (4:56 pm)

    Would love to see a few beer gardens and food trucks, make it into a nice street festival.

  • Bikejuju April 5, 2013 (11:01 pm)

    Time to tune up the tallbike and dust off the Burning Man costumes!

  • am April 6, 2013 (9:52 am)

    Excellent ideas!

  • Katie April 6, 2013 (11:34 am)

    Sounds like so much fun! I’ll dig out my costume box and roller skates.

  • Guy April 6, 2013 (3:40 pm)

    Thanks for the Saturday note!!!

  • Kathy April 7, 2013 (9:59 pm)

    The 50 bus runs hourly on Sundays and connects North Delridge, Alaska and Admiral Junctions to Alki.

    But be aware that due to the closure of Alki Avenue on May 19th it will probably be re-routed to do it’s loop south of Admiral Way at 63rd Ave instead of north.

  • S April 8, 2013 (9:08 pm)

    This is a dumb idea, go use a park.

  • Guy April 9, 2013 (12:54 am)

    S- Alki is a park, genius.

  • datamuse April 9, 2013 (11:43 am)

    This looks like fun. I’ll have to see what I can come up with. (Feel free to stay home, S.)

  • Guy April 9, 2013 (12:35 pm)

    Haha!

  • Dawn April 9, 2013 (2:18 pm)

    Dawn here from SDOT. We are so excited for the Largest Costumed Bicycle Parade! Guy, you have totally captured the spirit of Summer Streets! We expect TONS of fun activities for people of all ages. Anyone planning on doing something can sign up here http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/summer_involved.htm and we’ll make sure to get you on the activity map.

  • Guy April 9, 2013 (5:00 pm)

    Thank you Dawn for the kind words!

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