West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival countdown: Previews!

(WSB photo from 2012 West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival)
Just four days until the second annual West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival – the streets-closed event 10 am-2 pm Sunday, incorporating not only trick-or-treating at Junction businesses, but also a special “in-the-street” edition of the WS Farmers’ Market, and lots more! Susan Melrose from the West Seattle Junction Association has shared a preview:

11 am – Chili competition in front of KeyBank, limited to 100 “judges” so come early – list of participating restaurants tomorrow, 100 percent of the proceeds go to West Seattle Food Bank

11:30 am – Costume parade led by West Seattle High School Marching Band

Noon-2 pm – Trick-or-treating

Activities for the duration, 10 am-2 pm, as follows:

Thank you to the 31 businesses and non-profits providing games, activities and projects. Some highlights:

WSBx3 (West Seattle Blog, WS Bowl, WestSide Baby) – This trio is offering pumpkin bowling for all ability levels.

Community School of West Seattle – Their preschool farm is coming to Harvest Festival with a special guest, a 6-month-old calf!

Young at Art – As usual, a selection of super fun and crafty art projects.

You’ll also find projects like making tea light lanterns, paper bag black cats and harvest bracelets. Activities include an obstacle course, pin the tail on the scarecrow and carnival games. There’s a free costume photo booth by Donna Ryan and cider pressing. Our neighborhood can really pull together for a great festival!

Thanks to all who help make this happen!

Alki Art Fair
Alki Juice and Java
City Mouse Store
Community School of West Seattle
Eastridge Church
Emeritus Senior Living West Seattle
Endolyne Children’s Choir
Equilibrium Fitness
Fitness Revolution
Franciscan West Seattle Family
Ginger’s Treats
Hope Lutheran Church and School
Hotwire Coffee
La Leche League
Orange Twist
Run. Walk. Play.
Second Gear Sports
West Seattle Cyclery
Snooter-doots
SSCC Cooperative Preschool
St John the Baptist Episcopal Church
Sustainable West Seattle
The Little Gym of West Seattle
Ventana Construction
West Seattle Kiwanis
West Seattle Montessori
West Seattle See Dogs
Westside Rotaract Club
WSBx3 (West Seattle Blog, WestSide Baby, West Seattle Bowl)
Young at Art

The Harvest Festival is one of the many local events featured in the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide, now live at westseattleblog.com/halloween – browse it to see what’s up, now through the post-Halloween weekend, and if we’re missing something, please e-mail us at editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

lisa October 23, 2013 (12:17 pm)

I took my son to this last year. It was the first time I’d been back trick or treating in the junction since I was a kid. I was really disappointed at how crowded it was. There were so many different vendors and things going on it was just way overwhelming for my 3 year old..he did not have fun with all the lines. What happened to the simple store to store trick or treating like it used to be? Missing the old ghost town the junction used to be!

WSB October 23, 2013 (12:35 pm)

Lisa – for the past several years, in discussions here, people asked over and over again, could The Junction just close the streets to make trick or treating safer, maybe make a bigger event out of it? And I believe WSJA got direct feedback as well. So last year, they gave this a try – and the feedback/turnout was hugely positive. I’m sorry your little one didn’t enjoy it, and hope you might consider giving it another try. The addition of “harvest activities” (we are presenting one again this year) was also intended to offer non-candy alternatives for those who want to celebrate without the calories :) The store-to-store trick-or-treating in the preceding few years, by the way, had become mega-crowded all by itself, and that’s where the safety concerns arose … WS has certainly had something of a baby boom in recent years. – Tracy

ACG October 23, 2013 (1:59 pm)

Lisa-

I agree with TR. Imagine all the people you saw last year crammed only onto the sidewalks. That is the way it was in the years prior to last year. It just wasn’t safe having that many people crammed in trying to go from store to store- with traffic whizzing by on the street. Having the streets closed offered more space and room for all.

Please give it a try again. Maybe now that your little one is a year older, they might find it a little more fun. My 5 year old daughter is excited for it this year- but wasn’t really in the past. Maybe it just takes some kids a little more time before they feel comfortable with that type of event. It most certainly is much different than the “typical” day!!!!

Lisa October 23, 2013 (10:23 pm)

Thank you for your responses. I guess I didn’t realize how populated the event had become. I guess I went into it last year expecting it to be the same turn out as I remembered as a kid. The kid population in west seattle has grown exponentially since the 90’s So I shouldn’t be surprised! I’m glad so many others enjoyed the event, but I think we will wait a few years before trying it again.

Sorry, comment time is over.