West Seattle, Washington
21 Tuesday
9:15 PM: That corner of 34th/Barton is just one of several where Seattle Fire crews have had to put out fires blamed on people throwing fireworks out of car windows or moon roofs and driving away. The photos are from Arlene, who was passing through when she saw this burning shrub:
She also saw what might have been the ignition source, lying in the street:
Shortly after, SFD had a similar call at nearby 35th/Cambridge, another of at least five West Seattle “brush” or “rubbish” fires in which fireworks are suspected, and it’s not even dark yet. We’ll update as the night goes on.
10:10 PM: SFD just had a short-lived “rubbish fire” call at 57th/Alki; earlier tonight, there was a report of a trash can on fire at or near the same spot.
10:20 PM: SFD is now dispatching to a small “brush fire” on Fauntleroy near Edmunds.
10:29 PM: With Alki usually jammed with people watching the partial view of the downtown fireworks, police radio indicates they’re detouring traffic as is usual, to try to lessen the jam once everyone tries to leave simultaneously. That includes a closure of the Harbor offramp from the West Seattle Bridge for a while.
10:36 PM: They’re having some trouble with that – the hill between Hamilton Viewpoint Park and Harbor Avenue is reportedly choked with vehicles pulled over to see the fireworks, so detouring Harbor Ave traffic that way is problematic.
They’re also diverting traffic away from northbound California north of Admiral (traffic-cam screenshot above.
10:50 PM: Dispatch for “grass fire” at 9th SW and SW Roxbury.
11:37 PM: Traffic patterns are going back to normal, officers have told dispatch. Meantime, some West Seattle SFD crews are going to a big fire on the other side of 509 in northwest South Park, in the 8100 block of Occidental. … A few minutes later, SFD had its third “full response” in the city (this one plus one in North Seattle and one on Beacon Hill) and they’re stretched thin.
12:15 AM: Police are converging on the 2600 block of Alki for a report of a big fight and someone bleeding. … They found a 35-year-old man with some facial cuts and bruising and are also trying to break up the rumble.
5:50 AM: One serious crash reported early this morning – thanks to the reader who sent the photo of a crash on Fauntleroy Way SW just southwest of Fauntleroy/California around 3 am. This initially drew a “rescue extrication” response. We have an inquiry out to SFD about injuries.
11:19 AM: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells WSB that four people were treated after that crash but none needed/wanted to be taken to a hospital:
21-year-old male in stable condition
18-year-old male in stable condition
18-year-old male in stable condition
18-year-old male in stable condition
ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: A reader says gunfire was mixed in with the fireworks mayhem on Alki, and the first few seconds of their video – far left of screen – shows it:
We’ll be following up Monday on various fronts.
(WSB photo from 2024 West Seattle Grand Parade, YMCA’s award-winning entry)
Before we return to Fourth of July coverage – a reminder that we’re exactly two weeks away from this year’s West Seattle Grand Parade! On Saturday, July 18, the parade proceeds southbound on California Avenue SW, starting at 11 am at SW Lander in The Admiral District and proceeding to SW Edmunds on the south end of The Junction. You can pick a viewing spot anywhere along the route to watch marching bands, performers, community organizations, schools, and other entries (the Seafair Pirates among them). The parade is presented by the Rotary Club of West Seattle Foundation, powered by volunteers, donations, and sponsorships. And if you really want to supercharge your day, you can run or walk in the Float Dodger 5K on the parade route before the parade – 9:30 am; thi is presented by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) as a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank – register here!
(Photo sent by Steve McWilliams)
Those are some of the Lady Liberty Project volunteers who came to Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza at noontime today for a demonstration/presentation that began with a solemn procession, morphed into a dance party, and concluded with the recitation of “The New Colossus“ by Emma Lazarus, the poem on a plaque at the real Statue of Liberty in New York. If you weren’t at Alki to see this, watch this video by Clay Eals to see how it unfolded:
The Lady Liberty Project describes itself as “a collaboration of friends who want to inform, inspire, and ignite awareness of the values of Lady Liberty with music, dance, poetry, stories and song.”
(Photos by Dave Gershgorn for WSB)
Even during the Log House Museum‘s temporary closure for exhibit installation, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society has contiued offering reasons to visit. Today – Fourth of July storytelling with Eva Abram, who regaled a small but rapt audience with folk tales and stories from American history:
Next up for SWSHS is the monthly online Words, Writers, Southwest Stories presentation, 6 pm Thursday (July 9), with Michael Houser talking about the National Register of Historic Places.
Another summer tradition – the lemonade stand. Just got that photo via text with word that the entrepreneurs will be at 54th SW and SW Genesee – selling lemonade and baked goods – “until 4:30 or 5!”
(WSB video by Tracy Record)
With SPD motorcycles in the lead, followed by a privately owned historic fire engine (more about that later), West Seattle’s only Fourth of July parade strolled and rolled through North Admiral this morning to start the holiday. The Admiral Neighborhood Association presents the West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade, which our video above shows in its entirety; president Joanie Jacobs spoke briefly pre-parade, followed in our clip below by anthem singer Kavya Bhatkar and this year’s guest elected official, Seattle School Board president (and Admiral entrepreneur) Gina Topp:
(WSB video by Jason Grotelueschen)
ADDED 2:07 PM: Now, WSB photojournalist Torin Record-Sand‘s photos from the parade, and the Hamilton Viewpoint Park funfest that followed. First – like many a parade, this one had convertibles:
Others rode on two wheels:
Some paraders got parental assistance:
Pets paraded too:
And some signage was sighted:
Some shirts made statements, too:
Over at the park, food and treat trucks drew crowds:
So did the activity booths featuring parade sponsors including Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care (also a WSB sponsor):
They offered a tea activity:
Steps away, on the park green, the sack races were a highlight as always:
The joke-cracking race emcee was local lawyer Imants Holmquist again this year:
Two more notes: First, about the fire truck. It’s a 1942 American LaFrance, owned by West Seattle resident Bill Ayer for the past 37 years:
And the parade was supported for the first time by volunteer communicators from the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club – among them, Ron Zuber, who we photographed along the route:
The club also supports the West Seattle Grand Parade (which is just two weeks away!).
P.S. The Admiral Neighborhood Association has more big summer events to come – Admiral Music in the Parks concerts July 16, 23, and 30, and the Admiral Block Party on August 22.
That’s one of dozens of flags lining The Junction today after volunteers put them in place this morning. This is one of several holidays each year when the West Seattle Junction Association brings them out. They’ll be up until volunteers return to take them down after 4 pm. WSJA, the nonprofit merchants’ association, relies on volunteer power for a variety of tasks – if you want to help, here’s how.
(Nature’s own fireworks – Friday night photo by Kevin Stock)
Here’s info we’ve gathered on what’s happening and what’s not on this Independence Day holiday. (More to add? Please text us – 206-293-6302.)
CHANGES/CLOSURES: For transit/transportation, >Metro buses are on their regular Saturday schedule with some extra late-night service; King County Water Taxi is on its normal Saturday service; so are Washington State Ferries; Seattle street parking is free; libraries, banks, USPS are closed. Here’s the Seattle Parks holiday roundup.
WEST SEATTLE FOURTH OF JULY KIDS’ PARADE: 10 am start from 44th SW/SW Sunset, just show up and you’re in this short, non-motorized parade, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, winding a few blocks through North Admiral neighborhoods and then to Hamilton Viewpoint Park for sack races, game booth, treat and food trucks (as listed in our parade preview). Note: Please do not park on the parade route.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: New location! 10 am-2 pm, shop for fruit and vegetables, prepared food and beverages, artisan body care, more … Here’s who to expect this week. (9th SW and SW Henderson)
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 TAKES HOLIDAY BREAK: No meeting today.
ALKI HISTORY WALKING TOUR: What better holiday for learning about history? Register here, then meet at the Log House Museum (61st SW and SW Stevens) at 11 am.
ALSO AT THE MUSEUM – FOURTH OF JULY STORYTIME: 11 am-1 pm, storytelling, crafts, lemonade, free!
SPRAYPARK SEASON: The season continues at Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
BASEBALL: Holiday home game for the DubSea Fish Sticks at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, 11:05 am, vs. the A’s. Online tickets are sold out but you can check at the ball park!
COLMAN POOL: Rain or shine – noon-7 pm, daily operation continues at the outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the session schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
ALKI LADY LIBERTY PROCESSION: Noon on the Alki promenade, explained here.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Also at Lincoln Park – the forecast is for sunshine and 70+ degrees – so this pool should be open, noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS: Seattle’s one and only show is the Seafair Fourth of July fireworks over Lake Union, 10:15 pm, partly visible from north-/northeast-facing West Seattle. (Want to watch on TV? Channel 13 this year.) Vashon/Maury Islands have a fireworks show too.
NO REVELRY ROOM SPINNING: Closed for the holiday.
NO SATURDAY NIGHT SKATING: Southgate Roller Rink (9676 17th SW) is closed tonight, Sunday, and Monday for floor resurfacing.
Planning a West Seattle event that’s open to the community? Tell us about it; calendar listings are free of charge, always! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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