(FESTIVAL INFO LINKS HERE * METRO REROUTE LINKS HERE * 1ST FRIDAY REPORT HERE, 2ND HERE, 3RD HERE * 1ST SATURDAY REPORT HERE)

6:06 PM: Art is part of this year’s West Seattle Summer Fest, more than ever. Above, Blue Geisha Tattoo is working on a Hedy Lamarr mural up by the California (main) Stage. That’s where Jeremy Enigk is playing right now:

Back in the booth zone, we found Phoebe from Spa Phoebe (new at Fauntleroy/Edmunds) with her pal Franklin:

We’ve even seen a cat at the festival:

6:25 PM: It’s not too soon to start reminding you that the West Seattle Farmers’ Market IS happening tomorrow – but it’ll be in the KeyBank lot (its old home) since the festival’s at the street. And since the market starts at 10 am, the festival does too (in past years, the official start time on Sunday has been 11 am, but we’ve noticed the wandering starts earlier, so this year the festival does too). Back to the entertainment – Balorico is leading salsa lessons on the Community Stage in Junction Plaza Park right now:

The Community Stage has one more scheduled act tonight – 7 pm, The Spider Ferns. Then tomorrow at noon, we are moderating a Summer Fest candidates’ forum with the City Council District 1 trio, Lisa Herbold, Brendan Kolding, and Phil Tavel. Ballots will be mailed next Wednesday so it’s almost time to start voting! Join us in the park on Sunday. Also tomorrow, note that the pie-eating contest has moved to 3 pm.

7:16 PM: We’re folding up the Info Booth for the night. Here’s a pan from inside earlier today:

Things are a little quieter now, but not by much! #1 question is “where’s the California Stage?” Answer: Up by the post office. It’s where you’ll find Night Beats (7:30), Jenn Champion (8:30), and Blackie (10 pm).

P.S. Thanks to the many people who have stopped to say hi. We’ve heard Summer Fest called the “West Seattle Reunion,” with so many people seeing neighbors and friends old and new, and that happens for us every year too.

(FESTIVAL INFO QUICK LINKS HERE … METRO REROUTE LINKS HERE … 1ST FRIDAY REPORT HERE, 2ND HERE, 3RD HERE)

11:02 AM: More to explore as day 2 of West Seattle Summer Fest gets going in the heart of The Junction! Above, Rob Duisberg of the West Seattle Community Orchestras is inside ArtsWest (west side of California, south of Alaska) with the WSCO Instrument Petting Zoo until 2 pm – thanks to Gina for the tip! Here at the Info Booth, you’ll find various organizations and community groups all day, too (as well as us on the north side and Junction Association volunteers on the east side). Right now on the west side of the booth, lots of crime-prevention and safety info from Seattle Police:

Side note: They have candy. Tons of families here already. On our way in just before 10, we spotted State Sen. Joe Nguyen and his family:

Three stages of entertainment, starting up soon – 11:30 am Rockaroke on the main stage on California at Oregon, noon on the community stage (in Junction Plaza Park at 42nd/Alaska and the wooden-instrument stage on the west side of California just before Edmunds). And here in Walk-All-Ways, a martial-arts demo is drawing a crowd.

Get here and see what’s up! Also lots of chances to support the people and places that make West Seattle great – here’s one:

That’s the West Seattle Quilters‘ annual fundraising quilt for the Senior Center – buy a ticket for the raffle at the table outside Stop ‘n’ Shop on the east side of California just south of Oregon. Meantime, Summer Fest is also a major freebie zone today – HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) is across from us at California/Alaska and they have free sunglasses, tote bags, pens.

Whole Foods is here today (by the Kids Zone on the west side of Alaska) with free popsicles. In recent years, the business mix here has gotten ever more local – both the year-round merchants with sidewalk sales and the businesses with booths (some “visiting” from other parts of West Seattle), so it’s an excellent place to find out more about the community all in a 2+-block area. Our coverage continues all day and into the night – official festival end time is 8 pm, music continues tonight until about 11.

12:32 PM: All three stages are going now:

Just south of the main stage, it’s the game zone – free to play, all ages! Caitlin from Outer Space Seattle (the playspace opening soon at 2820 Alki SW) sent this photo of astronauts playing Connect 4:

Also up at the game zone on California north of Oregon, Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor, based in North Delridge). On California south of Oregon, another of our sponsors, Verity Credit Union, has fun stuff in their open storefront all weekend long:

We just confirmed they’ll have GOATS there 1-3 pm Sunday. … Since it’s lunch time, we strolled through the festival food zone (remember that 20+ year-round restaurants have sidewalk cafés and/or outdoor stands to serve you too) and you’ll find more variety than ever, from elotes (roasted corn) to elephant ears, Pho Burritos, squash-blossom pupusas, cotton candy, potato “tornadoes,” barbecue (with the truck from WSB sponsor Pecos Pit) Afghan, Kenyan, Mexican, Salvadorean, Thai food. And if you want to sit down after buying something at a booth, check out the tables at Junction Plaza Park!

1:22 PM: If you need someplace to take refuge with your infant or toddler, wander a block west to Nurturing Expressions (4727 44th SW; WSB sponsor), as this handy sign reminds you:

Back along the rows of booths – GoodMed Direct Primary Care (WSB sponsor) is here for the weekend (they’re headquartered in Morgan Junction):

Dr. Ryan Campbell would love to talk with you about their unique, affordable flat-rate health care. … More coverage to come!

3 PM: Warmer than yesterday. If you bring your pup(s) and s/he/they need a break, the Pet Zone is on the west side of California just north of Alaska:

Gabe Cadwell sent that pic of Lilly enjoying the doggie pool. … Another Junction business (based in Jefferson Square) that’s here, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate Northwest (WSB sponsor):

In the BHHSBW booth when we stopped by, Debbie Kerns, Alice Kuder, and Nadine Bivins. … UPDATE: Whole Foods is out of free popsicles. Lots of treats here but those have run out. … Here in the Info Booth (heart of Walk All Ways, look for the big INFORMATION banner), new groups at the community tables on the west and south side, including Seal Sitters:

They’re on the south side; on the west side, YearUp and SR3:

As you might notice in our photos, both Seal Sitters and SR3 have show-and-tell items – all ages can touch and explore. The Whale Trail is here too, a few booths north of Walk All Ways. … We’re getting closer to the heart of the music lineup -here’s who’s on the main stage tonight:

4:30 – DYED
5:30 – Jeremy Enigk
6:30 – Spirit Award
7:30 – Night Beats
8:30 – Jenn Champion
9:30 – DJ Mister Moon
10 pm – Blackie (Blondie tribute)

The main stage is on California between Oregon and Genesee; the beer garden is immediately south of it. ….Our coverage continues right after 5 pm with the early-evening report, but first some other stories.

P.S. If you lost your wallet – we just had one turned in at the Info Booth.