West Seattle, Washington
15 Tuesday
With many cannon blasts, the Seafair Pirates approached Alki close to their announced landing time of 1:30 pm.
(Photo by Dave Gershgorn for WSB)
As in years past, they were on board the Global Diving landing craft Prudhoe Bay; the colorful cannon smoke, however, was new, and meant the Pirates came ashore in something of a fog:
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
(This photo and next three by Oliver Hamlin for WSB)
It cleared quickly enough for brave beachgoers to try to thwart them:
Most of the crowd welcomed the invaders:
Eventually the Pirates – led by Davy Jones (in green) and Captain Kidd (in red and gold) -made their way to their wheeled “vessel” Moby Duck up on Alki Avenue, where Seafair royalty – Queen Alcyone (former SPD Chief Carmen Best), King Neptune (former TV anchor Eric Johnson), and Community Hero Mercy Hobbes (the Hero program replaces Miss Seafair) awaited for a bit of goofy ceremony:
Pirate leaders were anointed Seafair royalty.
(This photo and next 2 by Oliver Hamlin for WSB)
Every year they also manage to wrestle the key to the city – or county – away from a politician. This year the designated key-yielder was deputy mayor Greg Wong, who first tried valiantly to speak the Pirates’ language.
Eventually the Pirates sailed on – leaving behind aspiring shipmates like this 7-year-old who’s come to see them every year of his life:
But they’ll return to West Seattle three weeks from today for the WS Grand Parade! You might even see them passing through like this (thanks to Val for the video from Admiral Way):
Six and a half years after West Seattle muralist Desmond Hansen painted karate master Chojun Miyagi on the signal box at the northwest corner of 35th/Roxbury, a driver has taken it out. The hit-run happened overnight and we have few details except that the driver took out the signal box, and that left the intersection signal in flashing mode for many hours. Our photo is from late morning; we went by again a little while ago and a replacement signal box was in place. Archived radio from overnight suggests the hit-run car might have been found nearby but we won’t be able to follow up until Monday.
3:56 PM: Thanks to Cindi Barker for the photos! Above are some of the ham-radio operators set up on the north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) for Seattle Radio Field Day, a 24-hour marathon of broadcasting, networking, and educating, among other things. You’re welcome to stop by any time during Field Day and find out how it all works. Various workshops/demonstrations are happening in and near the breezeway shown in the photo, as listed here..
That’s Luke Denuelle “presenting first aid in disasters,” Cindi explaiins. To find Field Day, ust turn into the north SSC parking lot and you’ll see the small village of trailers and towers set up until things start wrapping up late Sunday morning.
6:42 PM: We just visited for a look at what’s happening as the evening begins.
(Photos from here by WSB’s Tracy Record)
If you visit, go beyond where participants are camping, to the field on the west side of the north lot:
There you’ll find tents where operators are exploring and engaging, like this trio:
They were working with digital KT8 radio. And it’s not all about two-way at Field Day. Back in the breezeway, we found a radio collector showing off this 1939 RCA of Canada AM receiver:
It’s battery-powered because it’s from a time when rural farmers didn’t have electricity in their homes. For antique fans, here’s a peek at its tubes:
Lots of good conversation to be had, too; we talked with Jim and Barbara Edwards, who also are longtime West Seattle Grand Parade volunteers (parade communication is heavily reliant on amateur radio) and learned about some of what they’re working on to keep it running well behind the scenes this year. Again, Field Day is on until about 11 tomorrow morning, and if you visit, ask about the GOTA – Get On The Air – tent, where you can find out what it’s like firsthand.
1:22 PM: Just a note in case you’re hearing the cannon fire: The Seafair Pirates, aboard the landing craft Prudhoe Bay again this year, are on their way to storm Alki Beach. Updates to come.
1:38 PM: The Pirates have arrived. Lots of cannon fire preceded. We’re told they’ll seize the key to the city from a deputy mayor.
2:06 PM: Still awaiting that.
2:49 PM: All the antics and ceremony aboard Moby Duck – with Queen Alcyone (former SPD Chief Carmen Best), King Neptune (former TV news anchor Eric Johnson), and Deputy Mayor Greg Wong – has concluded. Separate report later with pics and video! (Update: See all that here.)
Even if you’re not hungry – yet – you should be at the Taste of White Center! It’s a street party that, yes, is primarily to raise money for the White Center Food Bank, but there’s a lot of entertainment and information to be had too!
Mariachi musicians played outside Pho Tai, next to the new Whateke Sports Bar …
Dancers are in the Tim’s Tavern lot … and there’s a kid zone just north of 100th:
Families were also drawn to the visiting North Highline Fire Station crews parked on SW 98th:
But back to the food. Maps show all 35 participating venues – including WSB sponsors Alpine Diner and Big Mario’s Pizza:
Big Mario’s is serving up big slices of cheese pizza for your $5 ticket (buy tickets at the WCFB booth at 16th SW/SW 98th – each one gets you one of the designated dishes or drinks at participating businesses):
Desserts are available too – Puffy Pandy has ice-cream puffys:
Participants are on White Center’s side streets too – even north of Roxbury in South Delridge, Young’s Restaurant, Max’s Triangle Pub, Can Bar, Nacho Mama, and Meat the Live Butcher. You can get a map/list, but not tickets, at the WCFB table on 16th right off Roxbury if you want to decide. All the ticket revenue goes to the WCFB; the participants are being compensated with sponsor funding. This continues until 3 pm!
(Ribboncutting, emceed by West Seattle Chamber of Commerce executive director Rachel Porter)
The ceremonial ribboncutting outside Junction Ace Hardware about an hour ago was a celebration of what’s new – the Ace affiliation, and some new merchandise – and what’s not – the continuing legacy of almost three-quarters of a century of family ownership. Bruce Davis – with whom we talked about all this in February – spoke briefly:
Until 2 pm, you are invited to go join the party. Much of it is outdoors, in front of the store, like the grilling station where you can get a free hot dog and see some of the store’s expanded Weber product line:
If you’re in the market for new yard equipment, check out the booth featuring battery-powered EGO equipment, a brand-new brand for the store – EGO’s Jed says the weed-whacker is their best seller and is particularly appealing because it’s easy to thread:
Outside the store you can also donate to the West Seattle Food Bank and/or buy one of their Summer Raffle tickets:
Junction Hardware is also supporting the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) by offering rounding-up opportunities to shoppers – Stephanie from the Y is helping at the kids’-activities tent outside, where young visitors can plant seeds:
If you haven’t been inside the store for a while, check out new additions there too:
The party’s on until 2 pm, but store hours today continue until 6 pm.
(One more low-tide fan with wings – photographed by Curry Gibson)
On summer’s second weekend, here’s what we have for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the free weekly group run.
HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free 9 am meditation at Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska) – register here.
INTRODUCTORY WALK: First of two sequential weekly walking events – meeting at the same spot, 47th/Fauntleroy, first at 9:30 am for a flat-terrain 1-mile walk.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: That’s followed immediately by this walk in which you can participate regardless of whether you were on the introductory stroll. Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy.
JUNCTION ACE HARDWARE ‘GRAND REOPENING’: The locally owned hardware store in The Junction is throwing a party today to celebrate its affiliation change, starting with a 10 am ribboncutting and continuing with other festivities until 2 pm. Details in our calendar listing – including a donation drive for the West Seattle Food Bank. (44th SW/SW Edmunds)
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, Saturdays through October, at Hope Academy in South Delridge (9421 18th SW). Fresh produce, cooked-on-site food, body-care products, more.
MASTER GARDENERS: They’re ready to answer your questions! Saturdays this summer, they’re at The Home Depot (7345 Delridge Way SW), 10 am-2 pm.
FREE PLAY DATE: 10-11:30 am at Little Trailblazers (3003 SW Roxbury) – sign up here.
FASHION AT FAUNTLEROY SCHOOLHOUSE: 5+ cabi stylists are joining for a sample sale 10:30 am-1:30 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse – “A curated collection from multiple sellers — more styles, more sizes, more deals!” (9131 California SW)
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am – free weekly in-person group for writers of all levels. For location info, go here.
TASTE OF WHITE CENTER: 11 am-3 pm, bring your money and your appetite to support the White Center Food Bank, which will be at 16th SW/SW 98th to sell $5 tickets for small plates, drinks, desserts, etc., offered up by more than 30 participating restaurants/bars! (Note that 16th SW is closed to vehicle traffic between Roxbury and SW 100th.)
SEATTLE RADIO FIELD DAY: 11 am today to 11 am Sunday, local ham-radio operators are set up on the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) for networking, knowledge-sharing, talking to other radio operators around the world, and more, and you’re invited to stop by any time – it’s all also intended as one big open house.
SPRAYPARK SEASON CONTINUES: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) continues daily operations today, 11 am-8 pm.
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW)
LOW-LOW TIDE WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists will be out at Constellation and Lincoln Parks 11:30 am-2:30 pm today, with the low tide out to -2.3 feet at 1:37 pm.
‘RECLAIM THE FLAG’: West Seattle Indivisible is organizing streetcorner rallies along California SW between Admiral Junction and Morgan Junction, noon-2:30 pm.
WADING POOLS: City-run wading pools expected to be open in West Seattle today are Lincoln Park (12 pm-7 pm) and Hiawatha (12 pm-5:30 pm).
COLMAN POOL SWIM MEET: No public swim sessions today for the heated salt-water outdoor pool at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) – but they’ll resume tomorrow.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: Explore the present and past at the home of West Seattle history, open for your visit, noon-4 pm – see the new exhibit about Seattle Teriyaki! (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER OPEN: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: On the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus:
The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room, Wine Bar, and Retail Store are open Thursday-Saturday from 1-6 pm. Come taste and purchase our student-produced wine! The Northwest Wine Academy features a large tasting room and retail store. While tasting one of our current releases, you can request a tour of our barrel room and bottling area. Come support our student winemakers and join us for a student tasting.
SEAFAIR PIRATES LANDING ON ALKI: Around 1:30 pm, the “Pirate Kings of the Northwest” are expected to storm ashore at Alki Beach near the Bathhouse- time approximate, could be sooner, could be later, listen for the cannon fire as they approach! They’ll mingle with onlookers as they make their way toward an eventual shoreside escape, usually aboard their landlubbing “vessel” Moby Duck.
FOR GARDENERS! 1:30-3 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), “Garden Hotline Presents: Basics of Seed Saving From Your Garden.” Details here. Free.
WEST SEATTLE RHODIES FC: Westside Pride Match vs. Bigfoot FC, last home match of the Rhodies’ first season, (updated) 2 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – go here for tickets.
(ArtsWest photo by John McLellan, from ‘The Effect’)
2 PERFORMANCES OF ‘THE EFFECT’ AT ARTSWEST: Second weekend for the new play directed by Mathew Wright, 3 pm and 7:30 pm performances today/tonight. (4711 California SW)
FREE MASSAGE: Walk into Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) 3-5 pm for short, specific free massage.
ALSO AT NEPENTHE – SUMMER MINI-MARKET: 3 pm to “whenever,” vendors and more!
P-PATCH PIZZA PARTY: The Barton P-Patch has a pizza oven and will use it during a 4-6 pm fun(draiser) today – come see the garden, too. (34th SW/SW Barton)
TEZCON: Day 1, 4-10 pm at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), tickets and details here.
THE BEER JUNCTION’S 15TH ANNIVERSARY: 5 pm smash-burger pop-up today, plus special anniversary beer. (4511 California SW)
EVENING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Roo Forrest and Friends, 6-8 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). No cover, all ages.
DUB SEA FISH STICKS: 6:05 pm home game vs. the Redmond Dudes at Steve Cox Memorial Park‘s Mel Olson Stadium. (1321 SW 102nd, White Center). Go here for tickets.
PRIDE AT THE SKYLARK: Pride 2025 edition of West End Girls brings back Cookie Couture, co-hosting with Fraya Love, check for advance tickets, doors 7 pm, show 8 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight it’s DJ Topspin at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).
SATURDAY NIGHT SK8 PARTY: 9 pm-midnight with DJ Josh, 21+, at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center).
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: For Saturday night singers, 10 pm karaoke awaits you at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Got a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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