11:39 AM: Till 5 pm, Alki Avenue SW is off-limits to motorized vehicles – open curb to curb for walking and bicycling and skateboarding and more – between 56th SW and 63rd SW, for the annual “Summer Streets” celebration. As is usually the case, the weather in the early going isn’t terribly summery, but we have hopes of sunshine a bit later; bring a sweater for starters. Come say hi – we’re boothing this year, across from the alley between 61st and 62nd, in a row of booths with the West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs, West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network, and West Seattle Democratic Women. The big costumed bike parade is coming up at 1 pm – that’s a don’t-miss. Full activity map/schedule is here.

12:56 PM: The bike parade starts soon – and we’ve seen so many bikers (some in costume as invited!) go by our booth en route to the starting line, it’s going to be a sight to see! (added) And it was – here’s the start of the pack:

Celebrity parade starter: Tracy Dart, leader/namesake of the famous cancer-fighting-fundraising Team Tracy:

Dozens of bicycles later:

(Added – video!)

(back to original report) We hear Mayor McGinn joined in the ride – will add a photo if we find him in any of ours. Back at 63rd SW, starting line of the parade, DIY Bikes is helping riders with tune-ups, repairs, and general advice – go check ’em out.

1:37 PM: We finally caught up with the mayor to confirm that was him. Shortly thereafter, Eric stopped by our booth to share his photo of the mayor meeting his son Ike:

(The mayor stopped by our booth later and explained that he enjoys showing kids the correct way to shake hands. If anybody’s going to be well-schooled in that, it’s a politician! Ike’s dad also verifies that the mayor offered a lesson. Ike, by the way, is a 10-year-old Holy Rosary student.)

Meantime – either we’re getting used to it, or it’s starting to warm up. Everything continues till 5, so lots of time for you to come check it out. Zumbathon coming up at 2!

2:18 PM: Local singer Sarey Savy (video above) was onstage before the Zumbathon, which is being led by local instructor Jennifer Cepeda. Even the youngest participants were having fun:

3:17 PM: The sun is finally out! As one more photo from the Zumbathon verifies:

Just now adding some photos from the past hour or so. Here’s the legendary Bubbleman:

If you haven’t come to Alki yet today, this is the time … at the very least, come have fun walking in the middle of the street. Or, of course, riding – and on the side of the road, learn about safety with folks from groups including West Seattle Bike Connections:

4:41 PM: And so quickly – the clouds have moved back in, and Summer Streets is wrapping up. More photos/video to be added once we’re back at HQ.