(Festival info/map here … Bus reroute info here …)

10:03 AM: Not only is the West Seattle Farmers’ Market on in The Junction as always … so is the Harvest Festival, with a bonus block of activities on California south to Edmunds … both until 2 pm! Our as-it-happens coverage starts now.

The Chili Cookoff is on, at the KeyBank corner – $10 gets you 9 tastes and a vote, and the money goes to the West Seattle Food Bank … the contenders are right behind the booth:

The weather is clear but chilly so bundle up! The sun will be a little higher in the sky by Costume Parade time at 11:30. We’re already seeing lots of costumes:

We’re in the Info Booth at California/Alaska – right across from us at the south end of the Farmers’ Market block, you’ll find the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, who would be happy to sell you advance tickets to their December 7th pancake breakfast!

11:12 AM: Lots of people here enjoying the festival. If you are here for the parade, gather at Junction Plaza Park, where the West Seattle High School Band is warming up. Meantime, activities continue on the block south of Alaska throughout the festival:

Above, Titans Lacrosse; below, Mode Music Studios.

Above, Westside School (which is a WSB sponsor as are the Titans and Mode); below, West City Rope Ninjas. 50 businesses, schools, and organizations are here with activities:

11:54 PM: The parade, which circles the Farmers’ Market block, has just wrapped up. The band had an appropriate song:

Now it’s trick-or-treat time – businesses as well as booths! P.S. If you’re looking for something more savory, chili’s still available last time we checked the cookoff booth. Right next to it on the west side of California/Alaska is the Cider/Cocoa Garden, $2 for either.

Festival and Market both continue until 2 pm.

12:51 PM: Costume-watching continues, as does trick-or-treating – visit your Junction merchants too – they sponsor the festival through the Junction Association!

Above, Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor); below, Curious Kidstuff:

Along with the merchants, thanks to the many volunteers here today too! Events coming up: Around 1:30 pm, the chili vote winner will be announced; that’s also when the kids’ pie-eating contest (all spots filled, we’re told) will be happening here at the Info Booth (California/Alaska).

1:23 PM: Lots of costumed pets as well as people. CJ sent these photos of “Pope Leo” and “Stuart Little”:

1:34 PM: The Chili Cookoff vote results are in:
Duos #1
Easy Street #2
Elliott Bay #3

(Matt from Easy Street and Ben from Duos, with Judi from WSFB)

Almost 400 ballots cast — great support for the WS Food Bank (official tally later)!

1:54 PM: Festival’s almost over – here’s a bit of how the pie-eating contest went:

(added) Here’s Chris with winners Connor, Seth, and Arthur:

8:10 PM: A few photos added inline above, and below:

Above – name that costume! Below, from the WSHS Band leading the parade:

The littlest kids’ costumes were some of the cutest:

Thanks to everybody for coming down and being part of the festival!