CANCELED: Duwamish River Festival, ‘in light of recent events unfolding across the country’

| South Park | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Watching the just-concluded joint meeting of the King County and Seattle City Councils, discussing effects of federal changes, we heard a mention in passing that this year’s Duwamish River Festival has been canceled. The Duwamish River Community Coalition subsequently confirmed it – here’s the explanation they’re circulating:

The festival has been an early-August tradition in South Park for years, featuring numerous community organizations offering information about what’s happening with Seattle’s only river, as well as cultural performances and river tours. (Here’s our coverage of last year’s festival.)

PSPS June 20, 2025 (12:45 pm)

This is life under Stephen Miller.

Audrey June 20, 2025 (1:26 pm)

I am saddened to know it’s come to this, but I am humbled by your kindness and concern for our neighbors. I look forward to the time when the festival returns. Peace.

DogMom99 June 20, 2025 (1:41 pm)

I really appreciate and agree with your sentiment – as sad as this news is, it’s great that organizers are being so considerate and protecting community members above all

DogMom99 June 20, 2025 (1:38 pm)

This is really sad news and a direct trickle-down example of federal policies harming communities in multiple ways. I had the pleasure of attending this beautifully community-centric and thoughtfully-organized festival two years in a row. I’m hoping that things will feel safer for all members of our communities soon so this festival (and other events) can continue without fear in the future.

Kt June 20, 2025 (3:18 pm)

Agreed…and the national stories about the farmers who cannot find workers to harvest ctops right now is a direct result of this adminstration. That affects us all.
- WSzombie June 20, 2025 (10:03 pm)
  
  Whoa, wait a minute. What does America want right now? Unions hate the government for outsourcing jobs overseas and causing unemployment here. And the citizens feel bad that undocumented workers aren’t working the farms. Shouldn’t this help the unemployment rate of American citizens? Oh, Americans don’t want those jobs? Having so much of our country speaking out both sides of the mouth makes my head hurt.
  - A neighbor June 22, 2025 (8:56 pm)
    
    I mostly just don’t want people in my community to live in constant fear of being kidnapped and shipped to another country.
- Robert June 23, 2025 (12:50 pm)
  
  Actually is because of the farm industry breaking the law for YEARS by hiring illegal aliens for cheap wages. There are many immigrants here legally that don’t like the illegal immigrants either because they bring down the wages.

Lauren June 20, 2025 (3:20 pm)

This is so sad. May our community continue to prioritize protecting each other.

RickB June 20, 2025 (3:41 pm)

It’s a sad day when we have to cower in our homes for fear of government kidnappings/disappearances, military on the streets, and/or paramilitary violence. America is now a white Christian nationalist dictatorship.

J June 20, 2025 (3:50 pm)

I disagree.
Canceling “in light of recent events” is wrong.
We should stand for our rights when we feel they are being challenged.
Community associations should not kowtow to these non-specific fears.
Cancelling also plays to the national MAGA talking- points about certain West Coast communities harboring gang members and criminals.

B June 20, 2025 (5:34 pm)

I tend to agree with your disagree. The 2023 flyer for this event said “United for Justice”. Justice is probably even more important now than it was in 2023. Bullies don’t get weaker when you cower to them, they get weaker when you stand up to them. People who feel threatened by an ICE raid probably shouldn’t show up, but maybe everyone else should.

The Dude June 20, 2025 (3:56 pm)

And that’s how you give them the power. They only have it if you react to their actions and give up.

Admiral-2009 June 20, 2025 (5:29 pm)

J – you are correct, this event should not have been cancelled!

Com. Sens. June 20, 2025 (5:38 pm)

J and The Dude, y’all might not personally be worried about being kidnapped by the government, but the community that’s being protected obviously has that worry. it’s easy to ask of others to put their lives on the line. no one is stopping either of you from getting out on the streets and exercising resistance if you feel safe to do so.