West Seattle, Washington
22 Friday
As we first reported last month, the West Seattle Junction Association is turning what used to be the Harvest Festival into two events starting this year – and the first one is now a week away: The Fall Festival is planned for 11 am-2 pm Sunday, September 24th. It features just about everything you loved about Harvest Fest (except the trick-or-treating, which happens closer to Halloween) – chili cookoff, cornhole tournament, pie-eating contest, live music. (Signup links for the contest and tournament are on this page.) The Farmers’ Market will be on as always, in its usual spot on California SW north of SW Alaska, while the block between SW Alaska and SW Edmunds will also be closed to traffic and will be the site of festival fun. (Meantime, the trick-or-treating celebration is set for Sunday, October 29th, including the traditional costume parade!)
West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center was brightly decorated this afternoon for one of the most festive occasions of fall, Tết Nhi Đồng, the Children’s Moonlight Festival. It drew a sizable crowd of all ages:
While a lion dance and martial-arts demonstration were part of the afternoon, kids’ activities were the centerpiece:
Young participants got lanterns for a parade around the center’s North Delridge grounds before the festival wrapped up. Never been to the Cultural Center? In addition to special occasions like this, it’s open most Saturdays for the general public to visit.
ADDED: Thanks to Lynda Bui with the Cultural Center for video of the lion dance:
Vovinam Martial Arts from Burien performed the lion dance as well as the martial-arts demonstration, while artist Rick Klu did face-painting.
(WSB file photo)
If you’re staying in West Seattle this holiday weekend, we have a few special events to spotlight – first, the Children’s Moonlight Festival at the Vietnamese Cultural Center (2236 SW Orchard, just north of The Home Depot) on Sunday (September 3rd). Despite its name, this celebration happens during the day, 2-4 pm,; it’s full of free activities and treats, plus a lantern parade (with kids carrying lanterns they just made) and a lion dance. All are welcome; here’s the flyer with more details.
12:19 PM: The second annual Admiral Funktion street party is on!
(WSB photos, video unless otherwise credited)
Until 10 tonight, you can come enjoy this warm late-summer Saturday and walk/roll in the street along California SW between Admiral Way and SW College, The festival is presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, whose booth is toward the south end of the festival zone:
They’re in front of the gas-station car wash, ready to talk with you about what’s going on in north West Seattle (and as festival media sponsor, we’re on-site right next to them). Visit their booth for tchotchkes, too – and balloon animals (get here sooner rather than later to get in on those).
Admiral Neighborhood Association’s booth is also accepting $25 (or more) donations to support the festival, for which you get a special wristband good for discounts at local venues. (The ANA is an official nonprofit, so your donation is tax-deductible.) The music just started up, too, toward the north end of the festival zone (update – here’s video from the first band, School of Rock:)
Here’s the scheduled band lineup:
12 pm – School of Rock
1 pm – Princess Pulpit
2 pm – Michael Pearsall
3 pm – Matlock and the Keys
4 pm – Midnight Gallo
5 pm – Radium Girls
6 pm – Tennis Pro
7 pm – (update: mystery act)
8 pm – The Loveless Building
9 pm – The Ancient Robotz
More coverage to come!
1:03 PM: If you have questions for your Seattle City Council District 1 candidates – both have festival tables, so this is a great place to come meet them/talk with them in person:
The election is November 7th; voting will start when ballots are sent out in mid-October. … Other opportunities for community involvement that you can find out about during Admiral Funktion include learning about Neighborhood Emergency Communication Hubs – preparedness expert extraordinaire Cindi Barker is set up in front of (updated) Ralph’s Barber Shop (close to the festival water-filling station):
Speaking of restaurants, a fun part of the festival street closure is a chance to enjoy expanded outdoor cafés today/tonight at many of the year-round Admiral food/beverage establishments – from West Wings …:
…to Mission Cantina:
… to Arthur’s:
1:35 PM: Princess Pulpit is on stage right now (added: video courtesy Jason Grotelueschen).
Lots of people have stopped by the booth to say hi (thanks!) – and we also wanted to mention that you can learn about community organizations during Admiral Funktion as well as local businesses. Elizabeth and Clay opened the day at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society booth (where you also can find out about the Save the Stone Cottage campaign):
2:43 PM: Here’s Michael Pearsall, on stage a short time ago:
Lots of kid activities, too – Clay sent this photo from the Stone Cottage/Historical Society booth, with 4-year-old Ellie Piersall doing some stone decorating:
3:37 PM: Onstage right now – Matlock and the Keys:
We’ve taken another spin through the booths – Seattle Yarn, moving to Admiral soon, is here:
Inner Alchemy, which has a storefront in South Admiral, is here too:
Inner Alchemy’s Maari Falsetto is having a sound bath to raise money for Maui fire relief – 6 pm Wednesday (August 30th) at Me-Kwa-Mooks (more info here).
3:55 PM: We should note that “Dan the Balloon Man,” who spent hours making custom creations at the Admiral Neighborhood Association booth, has departed. But many booths/vendors are here until 6, so it’s still a great time to come down and walk around. … Another community organization you’ll see here is the West Seattle Food Bank. You can find out about the next Taste of West Seattle – returning this year to its pre-pandemic format – set for September 28th:
4:35 PM: Midnight Gallo is onstage this hour.
This festival – only in its second year and bound to be even bigger next year – is just one of the events the ANA coordinates; Summer Concerts at Hiawatha and the Admiral stops on the West Seattle Art Walk are among the others, plus they’re taking over the West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade starting next year. Regular community meetings, too – next one is on September 12th, where guests will include City Attorney Ann Davison.
5 PM: Last hour for booths (some have broken down already) – but again, the music’s on for a few hours beyond, and the street closure continues, so you might consider coming down for dinner at one of the venues with outdoor cafés.
5:31 PM: This hour’s band, Radium Girls:
ANA is about to draw the winner of its prize pack, with items donated by local merchants:
If you haven’t already seen this in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar: You’re invited to a Neighborhood Night Out next Tuesday to benefit the Fauntleroy Fall Festival. It’s a 21+-only event on Wildwood Market‘s rooftop deck at 9214 45th SW with wine, beer, and neighborhood merch, 4-8 pm. All proceeds will go to this year’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival, which is planned October 15th, free to the community as always, powered by fundraising like this as well as other community donations and volunteer help, No need to RSVP for the event – just show up Tuesday (August 29th) at Wildwood (which is a festival sponsor)!
This Saturday, the second annual Admiral Funktion street party, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, will take over California SW between Admiral Way and College Street. You’ve seen the music lineup. Today, we have the vendor lineup – the businesses and organizations you’ll see in booths along the street:
Alair
Southpaw Barber Shop
Inner Alchemy
Seattle Dive Tours
SW Historical Society/Save the Stone Cottage
West Seattle Food Bank
Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce
Admiral Church
Pearsall Properties
The Little Merle
Hawthorne Massage and Self Care
CrossFit West Seattle
Seattle Yarn
Row House West Seattle
Admiral Neighborhood Association
Honey Girl Books
Ma’ono
ANA says Seattle City Council District 1 candidates Maren Costa and Rob Saka will have booths too. And the year-round local businesses in the festival zone, and nearby, will be happy to welcome you, both during the Admiral Funktion and afterward.
The forecast looks sunny and warm as the festival starts at 11 am Saturday (August 26th); it will continue until about 10 pm. The festival is free, but if you can afford to support it – permits and production are costly – the ANA is crowdfunding, with wristbands good for discounts at local venues if you donate $25 (or more) – go here. (The ANA is an official nonprofit, so your donation is tax-deductible.) See you in Admiral on Saturday!
Looking ahead to next weekend, West Seattle’s biggest event will be the second annual Admiral Funktion street party on Saturday (August 26th), presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, with community sponsors including WSB. We’ve already published the music lineup – in case you missed that, here it is again:
12 pm – School of Rock
1 pm – Princess Pulpit
2 pm – Michael Pearsall
3 pm – Matlock and the Keys
4 pm – Midnight Gallo
5 pm – Radium Girls
6 pm – Tennis Pro
7 pm – Frond
8 pm – The Loveless Building
9 pm – The Ancient Robotz
That’s a bigger lineup than last year. The festival starts earlier (11 am) and ends later (10 pm). The festival is free, but if you can afford to support it – permits and production aren’t cheap – the ANA is crowdfunding, with wristbands that’ll get you discounts at local venues if you donate $25 (or more) – go here. (The ANA is an official nonprofit, so your donation is tax-deductible.) California SW will be closed between Admiral Way and SW College for the festival, which also will feature outdoor cafés and beer gardens at local venues so you can enjoy lunch, dinner, and inbetween! Vendors – stand by for that lineup in our next preview – and games, too. See you in Admiral on Saturday!
It’s all about love at the beach today, with Alki Beach Pride welcoming hundreds of people to a big vendor/resource fair with live entertainment – Issa Man performed while we were there:
Here’s the day’s full lineup, hosted by (updated) Dominique Stephens. The stage is on the lawn east of the bathhouse; the vendors stretch along the promenade as well as onto the sidewalk, and food vendors are in the street (Alki Avenue is closed between 57th and 61st):
Lots of treats – donuts, shave ice, elotes, more. Other vendors span a wide variety, from services to merchandise to art to health information, and local nonprofits including the Southwest Seattle Historical Society and the Senior Center of West Seattle. We found a few WSB sponsors there too, including Mode Music:
And Canna West Seattle:
One vendor even has a portable hot tub and is selling beachfront soaks. In addition to vendors, ABP is again partnering with local businesses, selling a $5 wristband that’ll get you discounts during the festival. This is all on until 7 tonight.
Right afterward, it’ll be time for an 8 pm outdoor movie, “Little Richard: I Am Everything“ at Alki Playground. It’s the ninth year that Stacy and Jolie Bass-Walden have presented Alki Beach Pride (they even carried on during the pandemic, with safe events such as a car parade!).
That’s the Frederick Films video, including aerial views, from August 5th, when Alki Beach Pride organizers and volunteers unrolled the giant Seattle PrideFest rainbow flag across the beach. That was intended to help set the stage for this Sunday (August 20th), the ninth annual Alki Beach Pride celebration, this year featuring a street party. Now the big day is just four days away, noon-7 pm, plus an outdoor movie at dusk. Entertainment previews have been rolling out here; 10 venues are offering discounts during the festival if you have a wristband, which costs $5 (get yours here). Alki Avenue SW will be closed between Marine and 60th for festival activities.
P.S. While not an official part of the festival, Harry’s Beach House has announced two seatings for a drag brunch that day.
(WSB photo from 2022 Harvest Fest cornhole tournament)
Starting this year, the West Seattle Junction Association is separating its trick-or-treating event from the rest of the fall fun with which it used to be combined as the Harvest Festival. WSJA has announced 11 am-2 pm Sunday, September 24th, as the date for the West Seattle Junction Fall Festival, including favorite activities such as the chili cookoff, cornhole tournament, pie-eating contest, and live music, with less chance of a rainout, less need for major bundling-up. The festival stage will be at Walk-All-Ways, and activities will stretch into the block between Alaska and Edmunds. Then, Junction trick-or-treating will happen on the Sunday closest to Halloween, during the Farmers’ Market on October 29th, 10 am-2 pm, with merchants and partners handing out candy. Watch for more details on both events soon, but in the meantime, set your calendar!
One of the three street festivals coming up in the next two weekends announced its band lineup tonight. Here’s who’ll be playing at the Admiral Funktion, which the Admiral Neighborhood Association will present for a second year, 11 am-10 pm Saturday, August 26th, on California SW between Admiral and College:
Music is just part of what’ll be happening during Admiral Funktion. Festival admission will be free but ANA is fundraising to support the cost of making it happen; as they note on the crowdfunding page, any donation is welcome, and those donating $25 or more get a wristband good for food/drink discounts during the festival.
This was one of those rare summer weekends without any major events. The next two weekends are a different story, so here’s a reminder:
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20: Alki Beach Pride is one week from today, and this year part of the celebration will be in the street as well as on the beach. It’s happening noon-7 pm next Sunday and Alki Avenue SW will be closed between Marine and 60th. Here’s the official community notice, including setup and breakdown times. Watch the ABP website for the schedule of events.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26: Both ends of the peninsula will be partying in the street on this date:
Admiral Funktion – California SW will be closed between Admiral Way and College for the second annual festival presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. Festivities start at 11 am that day and continue until 10 pm. (WSB is a community co-sponsor.)
(WCN photo from 2022 White Center Block Party)
White Center Block Party – Also starting at 11 am that day and continuing into the night, the annual WC Block Party takes over 16th SW from Roxbury to 100th. Highlights are in this announcement published on our partner site White Center Now.
This weekend is relatively quiet in West Seattle, but next weekend has big events, highlighted by Alki Beach Pride on Sunday, August 20th. This year for the first time, a street closure is part of the plan, and permit conditions require an advance reminder to the community, so we’re helping get that out. The official notice is here. The street closure will be on Alki Avenue SW from Marine to 60th; the festival will run noon to 7 pm, but the closure will start earlier – with morning setup – and end later – with evening breakdown,
Amid today’s drizzle – a giant rainbow on Alki Beach. Not over Alki, *on* Alki – with a giant beach ball added to make a point. This is the 130-foot-long flag borrowed from Seattle PrideFest to promote Alki Beach Pride, which happens August 20th, just two weeks from tomorrow.
ABP founders Jolie and Stacy Bass-Walden gathered dozens of volunteers to hold the flag for a photo-op this morning, with a drone to catch an aerial view as volunteers cheered:
You can check ABP’s channels for the aerial view. Afterward, one last job – flag-folding:
Watch alkibeachpride.org for the schedule of events, which will include a street party closing a few blocks of Alki as well as an outdoor movie.
Seattle’s only river is what today’s Duwamish River Festival is all about, so of course you can get out on the water as part of the festivities at Duwamish River People’s Park (8700 Dallas Avenue S. in South Park). But the rest of the festival is on land:
Agencies and vendors are there to talk with community members, and you have the chance to offer your opinion on a variety of topics and projects:
Want to know more about emergency preparedness? Talk with South Park “hub” captain Anne Churchill!
You can also enjoy entertainment (here’s the schedule) – Neon Brass Party was playing while we were there:
(added) So was Kavak:
We also found a festival participant you can truly look up to:
If you’re driving, your best bet is to catch the shuttle bus from the lot near the future South Park Plaza on the southwest end of the South Park Bridge, but you can walk from there too, or from the 14th/Cloverdale business hub – look for the signs. The festival is presented by the Duwamish River Community Coalition and continues until 5 pm.
Two weeks after performing in the West Seattle Grand Parade, the folkloric dance group Joyas Mestizas is on the schedule for this Saturday’s Duwamish River Festival – which includes not only performances but also art activities, vendors, kayaking, and more. For the second year, you’ll find the festival at its new home, Duwamish River People’s Park (8700 Dallas Avenue S. in South Park), noon-5 pm Saturday (August 5th). The Duwamish River Community Coalition coordinates the festival, celebrating Seattle’s only river and the ongoing cleanup work (on which you can comment while there). Here’s the schedule of events.
The first day of this year’s Alki Art Fair has just wrapped up. We made it there in time to wander the booths in brilliant evening sunshine. Not only is the AAF located right on the shore of Puget Sound – along the Alki Beach promenade – it’s also full of sea-inspired creators, like Maq Martin, who we found in the Emerging Artists tent between the Bathhouse and Statue of Liberty Plaza:
Also there is Stacey Sterling, the artist who led the sea-life community mural-painting at West Seattle Summer Fest last weekend:
She said she worked with 125 people during her two days at Summer Fest! … Continuing the sea-life theme, Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network volunteers are there to talk with you about what you might see on- and offshore;
Another local nonprofit, the Alki-based Southwest Seattle Historical Society, is there to talk with you about their work;
Lots of creative play opportunities for the youngest visitors, in the free play zone presented by Outer Space Seattle:
Music starts tomorrow (see the lineup here) but main-stage sponsor Canna West Culture Shop was there today, ready to talk with you about CBD:
You can also browse jewelry, apparel, handbag, many types and styles of creations. (See the full artist/creator/vendor list here.) Saturday’s hours are 10 am-6 pm for booths, music noon-7 pm: Sunday, 10 am-6 pm for booths, music 11 am-5 pm. (WSB is a community co-sponsor of the Alki Art Fair.)
Again this year, the Alki Art Fair will run for three days – art and music along the promenade and around the Bathhouse – and it all starts Friday (July 21). Here’s the latest official overview:
FRIDAY 2-8 pm
SATURDAY 10 am-6 pm
SUNDAY 10 am-6 pmNow in its 27th year, this FREE, family-friendly, annual arts and music festival brings Alki to life with over 100 professional artists, craftspeople and emerging artists. There will be live music, children’s activities, live demonstrations and local artisan food vendors for everyone to enjoy.
Visitors can take in the colorful views while strolling the promenade, as they eat and shop among the expansive lineup of artists, makers, and performers. It’s a great opportunity to engage with the local creative community and celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of our local arts and culture.
The Alki Art Fair still needs volunteers to help with this year’s festival.
Volunteers can assist and mingle with the artists, help with the silent auction, staff the information booth, assist musicians, and more. Visit bit.ly/volunteerAAF23 for a full list of volunteer opportunities and to sign up today!
Event Highlights:
-100+ local artists & crafters selling works in a variety of media including painting, pottery, glass, textiles, metal, jewelry & more. See the full lineup of participating vendors at alkiartfair.org
-Live music and performances throughout the weekend on the Bathhouse Stage sponsored by Canna West Culture Shop and open mic stage on the promenade. This year we’re featuring a variety of genres including Latin, Soul, Funk, Pop, Rock and more. See the full lineup and schedule at alkiartfair.org/music
-Interactive Kid Zone hosted by OuterSpace Seattle (the galactic indoor playspace for kids of all abilities).
-Silent auction in the historic Alki Bathhouse featuring unique items from local artists and businesses.
-Local food lineup features a range of sweet, savory, spicy and delicious options including Caribbean Cuisine, Dippy’s Ice Cream, Lbees Filipino Deli, Pop’s Sausage Grill, Simply Kettle, Road Dawg, Sap Sap Deli, Moe’s Falafel, and Little Jamie’s Mini Donuts.
Sponsors:
Canna West Culture Shop, Outer Space Seattle, 4Culture, Office of Arts & Culture, West Seattle Blog, Aegis Living, Nucor Steel, PNW Marketing, Smith Brothers, Live Oak Audio Visual, BAM Performing Arts Studio, Seal Sitters, Lake Washington Windows
See you at the beach!
(QUICK LINKS: Bus reroutes … music lineups … vendor & sidewalk-sale lists)
10:50 AM: As the final day of West Seattle Summer Fest begins, one big thing to know – the Farmers’ Market is on California SW north of SW Oregon, regular hours (until 2 pm), one week only, then back to its regular block next week. The festival is on until 5 tonight. That includes the Kids’ Zone, which today is being overseen by Tilden School (WSB sponsor), the independent K-5 school located just north of The Junction:
The Kids’ Zone has free activities as well as inflatables for which you have to buy tickets (or a $20 all-day pass). If you’re looking for face-painting, that’s on the raised crosswalk midblock on California between Oregon and Alaska. … Just one music stage today, in Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska) – here’s the lineup, starting with the West Side Music Academy camp band at 11 am, minutes away. … Save The Stone Cottage advocates are back in the Info Booth with us and West Seattle Junction Association volunteers – find out what’s happened in the two years since the quirky little structure was moved, and what’s next
They’re on the east side of the booth (which is at Walk All Ways); we’re on the north side.
11:14 AM: Above are some of the “Littie STP” riders – as featured in our daily preview and calendar – who just rode from Seattle (Street, North Admiral) to Portland (Street, Gatewood) and then on to Summer Fest … The food vendors have fired up for the day – judging by what we’ve seen going by the booth, one of the most-popular festival treats this year has been the animal-shaped cotton candy (custom-made!):
On stage now in Junction Plaza Park, the camp band from West Side Music Academy, calling themselves Clark’s Son Kelly. Video:
We’ve also had bonus music here in the heart of the festival zone – instrumentalists over on the Cupcake Royale corner – and a commenter says the West Seattle band Aurora Avenue, which rocked Summer Fest Eve, will be back on the KeyBank corner at 2 pm.
12:47 PM: Not all the food is at the Farmers’ Market- some local purveyors of tasty items are here too, like award-winning Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce, and Lovely and Dapper Desserts‘ famous cakes:
(There’s a gluten-free cake on this month’s menu, too!) … Need a house plant (or two)? Check the Discovery Shop‘s sidewalk sale:
Proceeds from the shop go to fight cancer. … Our festival tradition of photographing candidates continues. Here’s Gina Topp, running for the West Seattle/South Park district on the school board, #6:
Elected officials too, even if they’re not currently on the ballot – here’s State Senator Joe Nguyễn and daughter Junie:
If you’re headed to the Farmers’ Market, remember it’s on regular hours – until 2 pm – though otherwise, the festival continues until 5 today. (The streets will remain closed for some hours afterward because of cleanup and breakdown.)
2 PM: As noted earlier, Tilden School is managing the kids’ area today – we just went over to see what’s up for free activities, on SW Alaska just west of California – options include games and art:
Here with your furry friend(s)? Visit the pet zone outside Next-to-Nature, on the west side of California just north of Alaska:
With three hours to go, this is the time we see lots of family and friend groups just hanging out. Come back even if you’ve already been!
2:25 PM: Aurora Avenue is playing now, not on the KeyBank corner but on the Cupcake Royale corner. (They’re under the canopy in this traffic-cam framegrab.)
We’ll get some video in a bit. Back here at the Info Booth, see the Junction Association volunteers on the west side of the booth – they’re continuing to sell Summer Fest merch, including a sale on T-shirts (purple, with the cool seahorse from this year’s poster art), just $10:
3:06 PM: Aurora Ave continues with a jazzy vibe – here’s a bit of video:
We’ve seen some visitors from the Admiral area this past hour or so – including Lori and Tim McConnell from West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor):
They’re organizing one of West Seattle’s biggest events next weekend – the Float Dodger 5K on Saturday, before the West Seattle Grand Parade. More than 500 people are signed up to run and/or walk, and the proceeds benefit the West Seattle Food Bank – register now for your last chance at a discount rate!
3:38 PM: Last performer of the day on the West Side Stage in Junction Plaza Park – Dave Hates Chico:
4 PM: Aurora Ave is wrapping up too (but their merch tent will be open a while longer). Last hour of the festival. Get here fast if you’re still interested in checking it out! And if there’s any specific vendor you’re looking for but haven’t found, visit the Info Booth and we’ll look it up – we have a list of booth numbers and by this point in the festival a near-encyclopedic grasp of who’s where.
4:30 PM: The inflatables in the kid zone have closed for the day. Shopping continues until the last moment, including sidewalk sales like the one under the tent outside Easy Street:
4:45 PM: The Info Booth is in breakdown mode – unlike Friday and Saturday, festival closing time gets more intense on the last day because the streets can’t reopen until everything is cleared out and cleaned up.
We’ve had a great time talking with people. Now it’s on to the rest of the summer, including another three-day festival next weekend, the Alki Art Fair. (We’re not “in residence” there but WSB is a community co-sponsor and we’ll be covering it starting on opening day, Friday, July 22dt – lots of Alki Art Fair info is online here. Music and food as well as art!) Thanks to everyone who came to Summer Fest, including the businesses and people who made it happen!
(QUICK LINKS: Bus reroutes … music lineups … vendor & sidewalk-sale lists)
4 PM: The second day of West Seattle Summer Fest continues (here’s our first report) – and a big night of music is ahead:
Thanks to Paul Weatherman for that aerial view of the main stage/beer garden area on Friday evening. Go enjoy it tonight, because after the end of the Saturday music slate, that area clears out to be ready for Sunday’s Farmers’ Market! Meantime, more festival coverage – including video of last hour’s dance performance – coming up.
4:38 PM: Report #1 had two candidate visits, and already this hour, we’ve had two more, both for City Council District 1, first Rob Saka:
Moments later, Phil Tavel (taking a break from his weekend space at The Hydrant):
They’re two of the eight candidates vying for the City Council seat that Lisa Herbold is leaving. As we noted in this election preview, your ballot was sent out Wednesday and has likely arrived by now (ours arrived today). … Up on the Main Stage, this hour’s band was Memphis Radio Kings:
5:13 PM: It’s been a warm day – in the 80s – but we’re getting a nice cross-breeze here at Walk All Ways. Steps away at Junction Plaza Park, West Side Stage music continues – we’ll add video soon of Self Doubt soon, second-to-last performer today (update: here’s the video):
Next, Garth Reeves & Cami Voss at 6 pm. The park stage will have performances tomorrow too, even though the main stage will be deactivated after 10 pm tonight. The main stage lineup for the rest of the day:
6:00 Acid Tongue
7:00 Jarv Dee
8:00 Sandrider
9:00 The Cave Singers
DJ Yo Adrien
5:24 PM: The DancePowered performance video is ready to go:
Just before they began, we took this screengrab from the California/Alaska traffic cam just before they began:
Seal Sitters is still next to us in the Info Booth for another half-hour – if you have questions about local marine mammals (and how to tell if they’re in distreess), coe visit! Summer Fest’s major mission is community connections, and there’s a lot of those going on.
5:39 PM: Another Walk All Ways dance performance! D&G Dance Company just showed up. (Video added:)
6:25 PM: Fight hunger and prevent homelessness while you’re here – buy a raffle ticket at the West Seattle Food Bank booth on the west side of California, between Oregon and Alaska:
Breanna’s in the booth and would be happy to get you in on the drawing, $10/ticket gets you discounts at three restaurants – Elliott Bay Brewing, Whisky West, and Soprano Anticos – plus West Seattle Wine Cellars, even if you don’t win the drawing (prizes are $150 with Amazon, $100 with Hotwire Coffee, $50 with West Seattle Grounds.
6:39 PM: Another candidate sighting – again from the City Council District 1 race, Maren Costa:
With her is partner Andrew Kliphardt.
7 PM: A little refreshing cloud cover is rolling in. (Today’s high was 90, so “refreshing” is welcome.) The food zone is elbow to elbow – we’ll remind you again that if you want to dine outdoors, many of the year-round restaurants have festival-only sidewalk cafés set up – you can have a new experience AND spend your $ on a local biz. … Meantime, while on our way up to the main stqge for Jarv Dee, we stopped for a look at the in-progress commmunity mural – Stacey Sterling is leading its creation:
She shepherded community involvement these past two days and now will finish the mural. You can catch up with her next weekend at Alki Art Fair (Friday, July 21, through Sunday, July 23).
7:33 PM: Jarv Dee!
We’re departing the info booth shortly but Junction volunteers are here until 8 pm if you have questions. Tomorrow, the festival runs 10 am to 5 pm, with the Farmers’ Market on California north of Oregon (its special Summer Fest location), 10 am-2 pm. Thanks again to everyone who has come by to say hi!
(QUICK LINKS: Bus reroutes … music lineups … vendor & sidewalk-sale lists)
10:57 AM: Lots of people already here in The Junction as the second day of West Seattle Summer Fest begins:
That’s the latest view from the city traffic cam right over Walk All Ways, where we’re in the Info Booth all festival long. Besides info, this is also where you’ll find festival merch, and local organizations:
Left to right above, from SPD, community-service officers Phil and Janice with crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer. Find out what CSOs can help with, and/or talk with Jennifer about Night Out (coming up August 1st). And if you’re accompanied by a young festivalgoer, ask about Emery the Emergency Penguin … In Junction Plaza Park, the West Side Stage has performances today and tomorrow, starting with New Age Flamenco at 11 am, a few minutes away; the Main Stage, on California north of Oregon (by the post office), gets going at noon with a showcase by Mode Music (WSB sponsor). … Assisting with the Kids’ Area today is Hope Lutheran School – go say hi to Melanie and Sally:
11:39 AM: Here’s a sample of New Age Flamenco’s West Side Stage performance:
Some questions already at the Info Booth about upcoming events:
—Farmers’ Market. Regular hours tomorrow, 10 am-2 pm Sunday, but NOT the regular space – like last year, it’ll be on California north of Oregon (where the main stage and beer garden are until late tonight)
—West Seattle Grand Parade – California will be closed again for part of next Saturday (July 22nd) for the parade and the Float Dodger 5K that precedes it. … Back to what’s happening right now. Yes, dogs are allowed at Summer Fest, and we’re seeing more today than Friday – even dogs in backpacks. There’s a pet zone by Next-to-Nature on the west side of California a short distance north of Alaska. … We’re continuing to feature candidates who stop by the Info Booth – first one today is Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors candidate Maryanne Wood, one of three people vying for the West Seattle/South Park seat that Leslie Harris is leaving:
Your ballot should be arriving shortly if you didn’t get it already; here’s our election preview.
12:36 PM: Main Stage music has begun with the Mode Music student showcase:
That’s the band 4-Inch Devil Horns. We also photographed musicians waiting to go onstage – meet Phoebe and Archie of Velvet Photograph:
Archie comes from a musical family – his dad is Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan. … Yet another way to experience music at Summer Fest – West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ “instrument petting zoo” and demos inside ArtsWest (on the west side of California a few doors south of SW Alaska) – continuing until about 2 pm. Rob and Dawn were playing outside:
1:44 PM: If you have a question for SPD’s crime-prevention coordinator or community-service officers, they’re handing off the community space in the Info Booth shortly – Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network will be here. Meantime, we’re just back from a walkabout on the block of California south of Alaska. When you’re wandering the festival, be sure to look toward the sidewalk too – most of the year-round Junction merchants are having sales:
There are also local businesses that you might not normally see – such as the Himalayan chai stand that’s usually inside Puerto Vallarta, now out on the sidewalk for the festival:
Almost 2 pm – music continues on both stages, with new performers at the top of every hour.
2:22 PM: Seal Sitters is fully set up – with three hands-on exhibits:
Gray-whale baleen, sea otter pelt, harbor-seal pelt. One more note about the Info Booth – if you lose or find something, you can turn it in here to volunteers with the West Seattle Junction Association (which presents Summer Fest) – earlier today, for example, a festivalgoer and his lost phone were reunited. … Another festival logistics datapoint: Restrooms – two places to find the portables are in the alley off Alaska between California and 42nd, and along the west side of California just north of Edmunds.
2:53 PM: Did you see DancePowered here Summer Fest Eve? They’re scheduled to dance here in Walk All Ways at 3 pm.
3:07 PM: The dancers are finally about to start. Meantime, we’ve had another candidate sighting – Teresa Mosqueda, the at-large City Councilmember who’s running for the King County Council District 8 seat that Joe McDermott is leaving.
With her is daughter Camila. (Again, we take photos of all the candidates who stop by the Info Booth – where we’re on the north side – so if you’re running for something, stop by.)
3:55 PM: Since this is the longest day of Summer Fest, we break the day’s coverage into two – so our second as-it-happened report will start shortly!
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(TRANSPORTATION: Find bus-reroute info here, stop by stop …)
1:25 PM: West Seattle Summer Fest is on! The Kids’ Area on SW Alaska west of California is ready for sliding and bouncing:
($5 for one inflatable, $20 for an all-day unlimited pass.) The festival food stands are set up on SW Alaska east of California:
And more than 120 vendor booths line California between Oregon and Edmunds. We’re on the north side of the Information Booth – no sign yet, so just look for it in the heart of the Walk All Ways intersection – where you’ll also find Summer Fest merch sold by West Seattle Junction Association volunteers – T-shirts and totes, among other things.
You’ll also find some community organizations on one side of the info booth throughout the weekend, too. (Save the Stone Cottage is here right now.)
Meantime, music starts at 3 pm with The Potholes on the main stage (California north of Oregon – that’s where you’ll find the beer garden, too). Main-stage music is today and tomorrow; the Junction Plaza Park stage will be set up Saturday and Sunday. But as much fun as the special features are, this is also a chance to find out more about the year-round businesses – food, drink, retail. Sidewalk sales – which are how this festival began, decades ago – are happening too. More on that as the festival continues.
2:11 PM: Here in the early going, we’re catching up with some of the WSB sponsors who are also here at Summer Fest. (Our sponsors are the businesses who advertise on WSB to reach tens of thousands of neighbors. So far, we’ve seen Dream Dinners (“the original meal kit”) – their year-round HQ is on the east side of outer Jefferson Square.
Also here, Mode Music Studios and Mode Music & Performing Arts – they offer music/theater instruction, summer camps, and more from their HQ in North Delridge:
Emerald Water Anglers, which focuses on fishing but also sells all-purpose outdoor apparel, has a booth too – their year-round store is at 4502 42nd SW:
Canna West Culture Shop – just south of our spot here in the Info Booth – is the place to find out about CBD; proprietor Mimi is there right now:
(The Culture Shop’s year-round home is across California from the main Canna shop – 5435 California SW.) Camp Crockett – dog day care and services in North Delridge and Upper Morgan – has a booth, and Vanessa was there when we stopped for a pic:
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Northwest Real Estate has a booth at Summer Fest too, not far from their HQ in the Jefferson Square office tower:
We also caught up with Ross from West Seattle Coworking, whose north location is on the east side of California just north of Oregon (they also have a big new space on 35th SW just north of Barton):
Meantime, we’re now less than an hour from The Potholes kicking off music on the main stage – it’s been just under four weeks since they performed at the Morgan Junction Community Festival. More to come!
2:45 PM: Thanks to the person who stopped by with a tip – the Kids’ Area bouncy houses are shut down right now because the temperature is too high – they’re working on a way to spray them down and will reopen when they get that figured out.
3:24 PM: We’re told the bouncy toys are back in action. It’s music time, too – here’s how The Potholes got started:
Performances start at the top of the hour, every hour through 9 pm tonight. Waves Crashing is up at 4 pm on the main stage (California north of Oregon – that’s where you’ll find the beer garden too).
4:09 PM: One highly popular free item we’ve seen a lot of people walk by with – SDOT‘s SLOW THE FLOCK DOWN yard/planting-strip signs. SDOT’s booth is on the west side toward the north end of the festival zone on California. If you have any questions about West Seattle light rail, Sound Transit‘s booth is next door.
5:03 PM: We’ve had our first candidate visit of the festival at the Information Booth – Stephen Brown, running for City Council District 1. Our standing policy is to photograph every candidate who stops by to say hi:
The D-1 race – is one of four major reasons to vote in the August primary, as we reported here. … Music continues! We caught up with the 4 pm band, Waves Crashing, before their set ended:
(We’re hearing lots of excitement looking ahead to tonight’s lineup, especially the Dusty 45s at 7 pm.) Also on California north of Oregon, you can contribute to this year’s community mural:
Artist Stacey Sterling is coordinating again this year. You might recall, this is made possible by a gift from the late Dan Wiseman. … Also north of Oregon, another chance to buy Summer Fest merch from the Junction Association, which presents the festival.
6:12 PM: Randy Campbell is onstage and lots of people are here – Friday evening picks up after 5 pm. One of the truly unique booths is Author Event Network – where you’ll find writers promoting and selling their books:
This is a relatively new effort and they have dozens of members – stop by the booth on the west side of California between Oregon and Alaska and see who you meet – and what you might find to read! (Thanks to local author Susan Kemp for telling us to be on the lookout for this booth – she’ll be there Saturday and Sunday.)
6:36 PM: Here for dinner? Almost every Junction restaurant fronting California has a sidewalk café during the festival, including the new arrival Dué Cucina.
And of course there are options in the festival food zone on Alaska east of California – African, Asian, Latin American options, pizza, burgers. P.S. For dessert all weekend long, you aren’t limited to elephant ears and/or cotton candy – look for Lovely and Dapper Desserts‘ booth on the east side of California between Alaska and Oregon – they are famous for their mini-cakes.
7:12 PM: If you’ve been waiting for things to cool down before coming to the festival, lots of shade now. On the main stqge (“by the post office,” if that mnemonic works for you), The Dusty 45s are playing. (added) Here’s video, with King County Executive Dow Constantine introducing the band (as he does on occasion, memorably Mudhoney at Summer Fest 2009), plus the first song (which starts about two minutes into the clip):
Shaina Shepherd is up at 8 pm, Polyrhythmics at 9, and music is scheduled to wrap for the night around 10. Tomorrow is the longest day of the festival, opening at 10 am, with music also on until 10 pm (booths operating until 8-ish). Thanks to everyone who came by the Info Booth to say hi!
9:18 PM: One last video to add – the start of Shaina Shepherd‘s set, after her introduction by KEXP’s Troy Nelson (she takes the mic at about 1:20):
Tomorrow at Summer Fest, the stage lineups start with New Age Flamenco on the Junction Plaza Park stage at 11 am and Mode Music Showcase on the main stage at noon.
5:31 PM: In the heart of The Junction, the streets are now closed for West Seattle Summer Fest setup:
Until post-festival breakdown/cleanup is over late Sunday/early Monday, California is closed between Genesee and Oregon (main stage through Saturday night, Farmers’ Market on Sunday) and between Oregon and Edmunds, while SW Alaska is closed between 42nd and 44th. (Find bus reroute info here.)
Tonight while setup is under way, it’s Summer Fest Eve, a chance to walk in the street and enjoy bonus features such as street performers, chalk art, and a dance “flash mob” around 7:15 pm. Plus, many businesses are open for the July West Seattle Art Walk – find tonight’s list, and artist previews, here (two special Art of Music performances too!).
Art Walk, of course, stretches beyond The Junction. You’ll also find venues to the north and south, especially in Morgan Junction and Admiral. In the latter, West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) is featuring art and music tonight – the former with Dan Jacobs (below right), the latter with Michael Pearsall (below left):
Lots more coverage to come!
6:29 PM: That’s the crowd gathered by Walk All Ways for Aurora Ave. Here’s a slice of their performance:
At California/Oregon, for The Art of Music, Hopscotch is performing until 7:45 outside the Alki Arts pop-up on the ground floor of the Senior Center:
And of course, there’s art too. Inside Verity Credit Union (4505 California SW; WSB sponsor), West Seattle artist T. Frick is showing her work tonight:
7:08 PM: A crowd is gathering for the promised DancePowered “flash mob” at Walk All Ways. And steps away, Easy Street Records‘ premiere of Ryan Cory‘s mini-documentary about fabled music photographer Lance Mercer (below) is coming up at 7:30 pm.
(Lance Mercer and daughter Mackenzie, who was assisting with sales)
8:30 PM: Another epic performance – here’s part of it:
Then the dancers invited onlookers to, as the song went, “bust a move”:
Leading it all, Jennifer Cepeda:
Meantime, we made one more art stop – the makers’ market at Jet City Labs:
That’s Lora Radford with her Extra Glorious creations. (Pre-pandemic, when Lora led the West Seattle Junction Association, she would have been running around overseeing pre-festival logistics; tonight, she just got to mingle with shoppers. Stop into JCL – a couple doors up from Easy Street – to see what’s up, all festival long.) Up the street, the stage and beer garden area was starting to take shape north of SW Oregon:
The festival officially begins at 1 pm Friday. Preview everything – vendors, music, food, kid stuff – at westseattlesummerfest.com. We’ll be in the Info Booth at Walk All Ways as in years past – stop by and say hi when you’re at the festival!
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