If you haven’t browsed the calendar for tomorrow yet, three one-time West Seattle events of particular note:

(WSB photo, August 2023)

ZUCCHINI RACING: Late summer every year, the Farmers’ Markets provide zucchinis, material to turn them into racing vehicles, and a track to “race” them on. Tomorrow’s the day for West Seattle – 11 am tp 1 pm at the market.

bRUNch: Sundays usually include a fun run from Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW). This time, they’re combining a free fun run at 11 am with brunch afterward – Sully Eats is popping up (see the menu here) – or you can just run, OR just have brunch.

JAZZ PICNIC: Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill) invites everyone to visit for a free picnic lunch at noon and jazz concert 1-3 pm, on the church lawn.

Love ABBA? Don’t miss the third and final concert in the Admiral Music in the Parks series, tomorrow (Thursday) night, 6:30 pm at Hamilton Viewpoint Park (1120 California SW). The band in our 2019 clip above, The ABBAgraphs, will be performing hits from the Swedish supergroup. The Admiral Neighborhood Association is presenting the free concert series again this year, this time at three different locations since the original site (Hiawatha) isn’t available due to construction. Bring your own chair/blanket and picnic dinner (or order one for park delivery!) and feel free to dance. Here’s our coverage of this year’s first two AMP concerts – July 18 and July 25. (WSB is the series media sponsor.)

P.S. The ANA has more outdoor music for you on August 24th too, when they present the third annual Admiral Funktion block party – watch for the lineup soon.

Before we get to what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, we’re previewing a weekend event whose organizeRs are sponsoring WSB this week to get the word out – Saturday’s Soulfest block party, back for another year!

Soulfest began on Capitol Hill in 1997 and has since evolved into a unique music festival that celebrates talented artists, soulful tunes, and an electrifying atmosphere. Join us on July 27th, 2024, in the heart of West Seattle for an unforgettable experience filled with live music, delicious food, and great vibes.

Featured Artists
Aurora Avenue Band
A Seattle-based Indie-pop rock band formed in 2020. Known for their catchy melodies, upbeat rhythms, and J-pop influences, Aurora Avenue is set to bring an energetic performance.

Harmonious Funk
This 7-piece band from Seattle blends classic funk, soul, and R&B. With over 10 years of experience, they have performed all over the Pacific Northwest, delivering groovy tunes that get everyone dancing.

DJ Kipprawk
Seattle’s own DJ Kipprawk will take over the turntables. With over 25 years of experience, DJ Kipprawk is known for his eclectic mix of music and his ability to get the crowd moving. Expect an exciting ’90s Dance & Singalong session!

DJ Derek Moon
Owner of Revelry Room, Derek’s blend of talents and knowledge brings a unique energy to any event. He loves West Seattle, and Revelry represents the achievement of a long-held goal. Get ready for a fantastic set that showcases his passion for music and community.

On the Menu
Get ready for a mouthwatering culinary experience crafted by our friends and family. Indulge in Southern favorites like:
● BBQ Pork Shoulder
● Joe’s Fried Chicken
● Mac n Cheese
● Hotlinks
● Cornbread
● Tater Tots
● The original Seattle Dogs from Hotdogjoe’s

Get ready to savor the best party food ever!

Gates open at 4 pm in the 6300 block of 46th SW; food starts at 4:30. The full schedule is in our calendar listing. Tickets are available at soulfestblockparty.com.

In addition to being a disaster-preparedness coach and realtor, Alice Kuder is also the queen of West Seattle scavenger-hunt organizers. Her next one, the 2024 edition of Summer Scramble, is just two weeks away! In case you haven’t seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s the full announcement:

Discover hidden treasure in West Seattle with friends, family or all by yourself. Whether you are a new-comer or longtime resident, Summer Scramble is a free community treasure hunt designed to introduce you to parts of West Seattle you may not have discovered. Even better, by playing, you will discover some awesome local businesses and historically significant public sites, AND compete to win the booty from of one of three treasure chests.

How do you play? It’s so easy! Go to wondersinaliceland.com/summer-scramble to register, then download the instructions today. Then, on August 1st, download the bingo-style clue sheet and map and hit the streets to solve as many of the 25 clues as you can. When you solve a clue, go to that location and take a selfie in front of it. Send your selfies to me at bit.ly/SSselfies. Participating businesses will display a Summer Scramble sign in the front window that includes the phrase, “You’re clued in!” Each team that solves at least 15 clues, qualifies for the treasure chest drawings. That’s all there is to it!

Summer Scramble is orchestrated by Alice Kuder, Just in Case, because she loves scavenger hunts, small businesses, West Seattle, and creating opportunities for free fun!

The hunt is open to everyone of all ages. It begins at 12:01 AM on Thursday, August 1st and ends at 7 PM on Sunday, August 4th. Registration is open now, but you can register and send selfies anytime during those four days. Questions? Contact Alice Kuder, 206-708-9800, Alice@JustInCasePlans.com, wondersinaliceland.com/summer-scramble

(‘Little STP’ group; file photo, courtesy Don Brubeck)

A unique way to get to the final day of West Seattle Summer Fest on Sunday, July 14, is via the annual “Little STP” bike ride! We just got confirmation that it’s on again this year – riding a route starting on California Avenue SW at SW Seattle in North Admiral, continuing south to SW Portland in Gatewood, and doubling back to the festival in The Junction. Here’s the announcement from West Seattle Bike Connections:

West Seattle Little STP Bike Ride
Sunday, July 14, 2024 – 9:15 am to 1:00 pm

Meet at Hamilton Viewpoint Park
1318 Palm Ave SW

Contact: Cathy, Ride Leader
Email: cathyd@tutanota.com

Have you ever wanted to do the Seattle-to-Portland bike ride? And forgot to sign up? Or train for it? Here is your big chance! Do it in 2 hours and end up at a huge finish line party! Same weekend as Cascade’s big STP, so you can brag and post pix like the other one-day riders.

Join West Seattle Bike Connections for a ride starting at Hamilton Viewpoint Park in West Seattle on a 10.2-mile route at a leisurely 10-12 mph pace! Register at the start. We invite and welcome everyone including people of all ages, languages, ethnicities, genders, races, and abilities. Riders under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

We will be riding from SW Seattle Street to SW Portland Street, and back north to Summer Fest at the West Seattle Junction, for a fabulous finish line party. After some time at the festival, participants can ride home independently, or ride with a leader back to Hamilton Viewpoint.

Our goal will be to stay together as a group. Be prepared for a moderately hilly route. There are a couple of hills that some may wish to walk up. That’s fine. We will regroup at the top of hills.

Restrooms are not available at the start. Closest public restrooms are at Seacrest Marina Park (the water taxi dock) on Harbor Ave. We will stop along the way for restrooms/water at mile 2.7 at the Alaska Junction.

Check brakes and tires before leaving home. Arrive in time for 9:15 ride description and safety briefing. Must be present at safety briefing to participate. Helmets required. No ear buds. Steady rain cancels. We will ride if there are just light showers.

If you’re interested in taking your little ones to organized storytimes, take note of these additions to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

READ-ALOUDS AT SEOLA POND: Isabelle, a teacher who lives in Arbor Heights, is hosting “community read-alouds” for kids and their chaperones at Seola Pond three times a month through August. The first one is tomorrow (Saturday, June 8) at 10 am. “All ages and family members are welcome – I recommend bringing a blanket to sit on and be ready to make lots of friends with other kiddos.” Other dates are June 15, 29; July 2, 16, 27; August 10, 14, 24 – all at 10 am. If you haven’t been to Seola Pond before, here’s where to find it.

PRIDE STORYTIMES: Miss Lacey, a local nanny, is hosting Pride storytimes this month and has set the first date – 4:30 pm tomorrow at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond). She says all ages are welcome; dates and times for two more Pride storytimes later this month are yet to be announced.

STORIES AND MORE WITH THE REAL PURRDIE BURRDIE: Storytelling is part of four family-fun events that West Seattle artist and author Danitra Hunter – creator of the Purrdie Burrdie character – will be presenting at local parks, four consecutive Saturdays, 1-5 pm, starting June 22. We’ll take a closer look at her plan as this gets closer but you can set your calendar, for starters.

(added 10:49 pm) STORYTIMES AT THE BEE GARDEN: Thanks to Lisa for sending this after seeing our original mention of the three above! Per this announcement, Seattle Public Library librarians will be at the West Seattle Bee Garden (Lanham/Graham) at 10:30 am Saturday mornings in June for outdoor storytimes.

(WSB file photo from Loop the ‘Lupe)

Though it’s unseasonably cool and wet now, that’ll change in a few days, and by the time we get to Saturday, we’re expecting VERY summery weather. Perfect to get out and run, walk, maybe dodge a few obstacles … which you can do Saturday at this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe. This is your last call to register at a discount rate – you have until Thursday, but why wait? Loop the ‘Lupe is the only obstacle-course race in Seattle – and more, as organizers explain:

Loop the ‘Lupe’s Elite Wave (age 16+) features nine obstacles on a distance-certified 1K “loop,” including a wall climb, a mud pit, and more. New this year, the Elite event will be streamlined to get participants through the obstacles more quickly. Participants finish five loops for the full 5K race, and there are prizes from local restaurants and merchants for top finishers. The Family Wave features seven obstacles on the same loop and offers a challenge for athletes of all skill levels. Events begin with a staggered start at 11 a.m.

A one-loop Youth Dash with obstacles is available for kids 8 and under (with adult supervision), and there’s a no-obstacle 5K Run/Walk course for runners and walkers, too. For older participants (age 65+), Loop the ‘Lupe also features the Senior Saunter, a 100% flat, timed walk that is one of the most popular senior-focused races in Seattle.

Loop the ‘Lupe will also have live music provided by the students of West Seattle School of Rock. Plus, participants can enjoy food, drinks, and a beer garden (age 21+) for additional purchase. Proceeds raised from the event go toward the costs of social outreach work at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, which helps prisoners re-entering the community, coordinates voter registration and racial justice education, and much more. Through their partnership with the St. Vincent de Paul Conference, OLG supports food distribution and assistance for rent and utilities for low-income families.

Loop the ‘Lupe happens at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle). Register here by Thursday to beat the price increase! (Follow the link to find out about other discounts, too.) Then we’ll see you out on the Loop this Saturday (WSB is the media sponsor)!

Another free-to-see event happening right now – the third annual car show organized by West Seattle High School students. Below are Noah and Nevaeh from the WSHS Greasy Peeps Car Club, with the auto-shop class teacher Carmin Thomas:

The show was open to community participation – here are just a few of the entries:

This is all happening in the WSHS lot (3000 California SW) until about 3:30 pm. That’s immediately preceding the WSHS all-school reunion, which starts at 4 and is usually accompanied by a display of classic cars too!

ADDED SUNDAY: Thanks to Dave White for these photos!