SUMMER FEST COUNTDOWN: Early street closures Thursday, and other reminders

Time to step up the West Seattle Summer Fest previews, with the festival just a few days away. As previously previewed, the fun starts early, with what’s become unofficially known in recent years as Summer Fest Eve – this year, that’s Thursday (July 14th). One important thing to know this year is that the festival-zone streets are closing earlier than before. Executive director Chris Mackay of the West Seattle Junction Association – which presents the festival – says this is what you can expect:

–California north of Oregon – closing at noon Thursday so stage setup can begin (this area will have the stage and beer garden on Friday and Saturday, Farmers’ Market on Sunday)

–California south of Oregon, to Edmunds, and SW Alaska between 42nd and 44th – closing at 4 pm Thursday for setup of booths (California) and food/kid zones

The street closures will continue until everything is broken down and packed up Sunday night.

FESTIVAL HOURS: If you’ve gone in past years, remember that these are slightly different too. Later start on Friday, with vendors open later, 1 pm-8 pm (with music continuing until 10); Saturday, 10 am-8 pm (also with music until 10); Sunday, 10 am-5 pm (no music on Sunday, because the Farmers’ Market will be on California north of Oregon)

MUSIC LINEUP: Starts at 3 pm Friday and noon Sunday – see the schedule here.

VENDOR LINEUP: See it here – including many year-round Junction businesses with sidewalk sales!

FOOD LINEUP: Here’s our preview.

We’ll be on the Info Booth team at California/Alaska again this year (our 13th) – see you at the festival!

newnative July 12, 2022 (12:53 pm)

Thursday is a great night for the pedestrians to visit the Junction and dine out.

MercyMoi July 12, 2022 (1:55 pm)

No Bubble Man on Thursday, right? I thought I read here that the Morgan Festival was his last show. Feels like the end of an era!

WSB July 12, 2022 (2:04 pm)

Not unless it’s a surprise unannounced appearance,
Genessee5Points July 14, 2022 (1:23 pm)

Bubbleman is taking 2022 off due to health issues: http://www.bubbleman.com/events.html

AMT July 12, 2022 (2:37 pm)

I know people are anxious to have SummerFest after a three-year absence The Main Stage is only about 25 yards from my home and the music is so loud that it is completely intolerable.

Sue H July 12, 2022 (8:07 pm)

I spent 7 years living in the Junction so I sympathize. This is the price of living in a vibrant area with a lot of convenience – you deal with this a few days a year. It was like when I lived back east and people living a block from the commuter train station complained about the train noise and the fact that commuters parked on their block. What did they think would happen? If it’s that unbearable, you could plan a trip away when the festival happens.

Joe Z July 12, 2022 (2:54 pm)

How about they make these street modifications permanent?

Al King July 12, 2022 (5:18 pm)

Joe Z. Business owners wanting -and asking for that???

Erithan July 12, 2022 (4:13 pm)

Curious if anyone can recommend a day to visit when it’s usually quieter? I’m a bit worried about crowds with Covid.

WSB July 12, 2022 (5:43 pm)

We’ve been in the info booth every festival since 2008 and I can tell you that Friday is the quieter day, especially before 5 pm. BUT the world has changed in the past few years so I can’t guarantee old trends will hold!
Sue H July 12, 2022 (9:19 pm)

In years past I had good luck with lesser crowds in the late afternoon on Fridays and first thing in the morning on Sunday, arriving just before the booths even open. People that are usually there that early on Sunday or at the Farmers market, or they’re having brunch in one of the restaurants.

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