(SPF30 INFOLINKS: Music schedule here … transportation info here … food truck/vendor/etc. list here … video streaming here)

1:36 PM: At the Punky Stage on Alki Playfield, Caspar Babypants sang “Here Comes the Sun” shortly after opening his set at SPF30 –

It seems to have worked – we’re in a sunbreak as we type, starting our coverage of the huge Sub Pop Records 30th-birthday party, which is on at 4 stages (plus beer gardens, tents, and more) until 10 pm. The playfield is paradise for kids – along the west side, a big gathering of bouncy toys:

In the middle of the playfield, vendor/community tents include Alki Elementary PTA, steps from their school (here’s what they’re selling):

And the C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) tent makes its debut, with cold brew:

(Photo courtesy Bryan Jones)

Our coverage is just getting started. If you’re headed here, a few things you should know – really, don’t even try to park within a mile of Alki – we tried it before 1 pm and can vouch for the neighborhoods south of Admiral being full up. Meantime, Carolyn Newman sends a photo of the wait for the Water Taxi shuttle at Seacrest:

(Here’s all the Water Taxi info for today.) If you just can’t get here – KEXP is video-streaming some of the bands. Clicking the “play” button for this YouTube window should get you to their stream:

Here’s the streaming schedule.

2:18 PM: We’re still near the Punky stage, where The Not-Its are playing now.

Also among the organizations in mid-playfield booths, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, beneficiaries of some fundraising today including the guitar that’s being auctioned … demonstrated here by West Seattle’s highest-ranking politician:

(If you’re new, he’s King County Executive Dow Constantine.) Thanks to Clay Eals for that photo. Want to read about and/or bid on the guitar? Go here. Also note that SWSHS’s Log House Museum here on Alki (61st SW/SW Stevens) IS open today, and you can check out the new “Sound Spots” music exhibit there until 4 pm.

3:23 PM UPDATE: We’ve just wandered the rest of the site. Most of the food trucks are along 59th just south of Alki Ave (with a few others scattered elsewhere):

59th is also where you’ll find bike parking, on the tennis court:

Along Alki Ave. are the three stages – Loma just performed at the Flippity-Flop stage on the east side of Alki Bathhouse:

Nearby, just west of the KEXP booth, a water-bottle-refilling station:

In general, it’s not too crowded yet – still room to roam from the streets to the spectator zones. And the weather has behaved for the past few hours.

5:17 PM: The crowd is building. Here’s a quick clip of Clipping, last hour:

Each of the three main stages has two acts ahead, including the Fastbacks, scheduled to get going about now at the Loser stage (west side of Alki Bathhouse), Hot Snakes also set to have started minutes ago at the Harsh Realm stage on Alki Ave. at 57th. Meantime, transportation is still busy – someone we know was passed by enough full Route 50 buses to give up and walk here.

6:03 PM: The two aforementioned bands:

LATE NIGHT NOTES: We’ve added a few photos above. And if you haven’t already seen it, our evening coverage continued here.