11:26 AM: An hour and a half into the first day of West Seattle Summer Fest 2015 – just about everyone is set up and the fun has begun. Again this year, live WSB coverage is headquartered in the Information Booth, in the middle of the Walk-All-Ways intersection at California and Alaska. It’s a bigger booth this year – we have company! The West Seattle Junction Association – which presents Summer Fest – is selling festival T-shirts on the east side, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society is on the west side – with their jar-full-of-Lincoln-logs guessing game, and more!

And as in years past, we’re on the north side – with festival programs as well as free info-cards and buttons for West Seattle Outdoor Movies, which start their six-Saturday run in the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) courtyard on July 18th. Meantime, before we get to some more festival info, here are our quick infolinks:

SUMMER FEST MUSIC (first band, Gibraltar, at 3 pm; stage is on California between Genesee and Oregon)
SUMMER FEST VENDOR LIST
SUMMER FEST VENDOR MAP (cross-reference the numbers from the list)
SUMMER FEST KIDS’ ACTIVITIES
SUMMER FEST GREENLIFE SCHEDULE
SUMMER FEST COMMUNITY TENT SCHEDULE (scroll down)
SUMMER FEST BUS REROUTES

11:42 AM: Some of what you’ll see:

12:21 PM: Don’t breeze by the booths too quickly – you might miss something like this:

In the meantime, it’s lunchtime. The food court is on the east side of Alaska, with traditional fair food like corn dogs, elephant ears, and curly fries – so tempting, this family stopped for a photo op with theirs:

Bang Bar is in the food zone again this year too, in addition to their year-round Thai restaurant on the east side of California north of Edmunds.

1 PM: Two hours until the music starts at the north end of the festival zone, with Gibraltar onstage at 3 pm, on California north of Oregon. Just south of the stage area, it’s Pet Junction, including not only the pet pools …

… but also some vendors and even organizations like the Coalition for Off-Leash Areas (a frequently hot topic in West Seattle, which has just one off-leash area, at Westcrest Park in southeastern WS). Speaking of animal advocacy … all the way from Whidbey Island, Howard Garrett of the Orca Network is at Summer Fest today:

It’s the first time the Orca Network is at the festival – booth #26, which is on the east side of California, between Alaska and Edmunds.

1:44 PM: Local merchants are a huge part of the festival – it started as the annual “sidewalk sale” many years ago. You’ll find lots of deals outside and inside stores. And you might even spot a few local businessfolk sneaking in a quick break:

In case you don’t yet recognize them on sight – from left, Jack Miller of Husky Deli, Dave Montoure of West 5, and Matt Vaughan of Easy Street Records.

2:02 PM: We have a longstanding offer to photograph any candidate or elected official who stops by the Info Booth – so far today, one visit, from District 1 City Council candidate Chas Redmond:

He and other D-1 candidates will be featured in a forum Saturday afternoon, 2 pm, in the GreenLife zone toward the south end of the festival. (Follow that link for the GreenLife schedule – at 3 pm, there’s a talk about e-bikes; at 4 pm, find out about going solar.)

As the “live” SDOT cameras in The Junction show, West Seattle Summer Fest setup is well under way; the festival officially begins at 10 am today! We’ve been counting down to it with advance info all week (and well before that), and have a few more things to mention:

EXTRA PARKING LOT: Seattle Lutheran High School is opening its lot at 41st/Genesee for festival parking; Susan Melrose of the West Seattle Junction Association says WSJA “greatly appreciates Seattle Lutheran’s thoughtful generosity during West Seattle’s biggest community event.”

WATER-BOTTLE REFILL STATION: Cut down on waste and cost – bring your own water bottle to Summer Fest; you’ll find a refill station at the GreenLife expo on the south end of the festival, sponsored by Bikram Yoga.

QUILT RAFFLE: From West Seattle Quilters:

You could win a handmade quilt and support the Senior Center at the same time! West Seattle Quilters have completed their 2015 raffle quilt to benefit the Senior Center. Tickets are $1 each, and all the money raised goes directly to the West Seattle Senior Center. Ticket sales begin July 10 at West Seattle Summer Fest (look for us outside the Stop and Shop) and in the Senior Center at the main desk. The drawing will be held October 30, 2015, during Rainbow Bingo at the Senior Center.

Every year, the West Seattle Quilters creates a quilt to raffle to benefit the Senior Center. This year’s quilt, titled, “Flying to the Stars” features soft blues and greens.

It would look lovely on a queen-size bed or hanging on a wall. West Seattle Quilters meet at the Senior Center on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 7 to 9 pm. Newcomers of all ages are welcome!

DIAPER DONATIONS: From WSB sponsor HomeStreet Bank:

HomeStreet Bank is ready to accept your diaper donations for WestSide Baby’s Stuff the Bus Event! We will again be accepting diaper donations this weekend at our Summer Fest booth and also passing out frozen treats (while supplies last) at our Branch to help folks beat the heat.

HomeStreet’s booth is #144 on the map. Its branch is just east of the festival zone, at 41st/Alaska.

COMMUNITY TENT SCHEDULE: These are the great local nonprofits/volunteer groups you’ll find in the community tent:

Friday 10 am – 2 pm
Senior Center of West Seattle
Navos Mental Health Service

Friday 2 pm – 6 pm
34th District Democrats
Seal Sitters

Saturday 10 am – 2 pm
West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network
West Seattle Community Orchestras

Saturday 2 pm – 6 pm
West Seattle Be Prepared
Southside Revolution

Sunday 11 am – 2 pm
South Seattle College Parent Cooperative Preschool
See Dogs

Sunday 2 pm – 5 pm
Seal Sitters
Empower Mentoring Program

EARLIER SUMMER FEST PREVIEWS ON WSB
*The basics
*The music
*The kid stuff
*The transit info
*Vendor list; ride-zone hours

Two quick updates as West Seattle Summer Fest gets closer (this Friday-Saturday-Sunday):

VENDOR LIST GOES LIVE: If you’ve been awaiting the festival vendor list, your wait is over. You can see it now on this page of the Summer Fest website.

KID-STUFF FOLLOW-UP – RIDE-ZONE HOURS: After our preview of the kids’ activities, the question was asked – what hours will the rides/bouncy toys be open? Today, we have the answer – 10 am-8 pm Friday and Saturday, 11 am-5 pm Sunday.

EARLIER SUMMER FEST PREVIEWS ON WSB
*The basics
*The music
*The kid stuff
*The transit info
*“Summer Fest Eve”

…more tomorrow!

Only four days to Friday – the first of three days of West Seattle Summer Fest 2015. We’re counting down with daily previews. Today – free kids’ activities!

Yes, you’ll find rides and bouncy toys at Summer Fest, and those require tickets that you can buy from ride operator Clowns Unlimited, BUT the West Seattle Junction Association-presented festival also offers FREE fun for kids, including:

*>West Seattle Art Nest-organized activities – Theresa says, “We will be decorating homemade crowns and ‘fish sticks’ (paper plate fish glued to Popsicle sticks) and bracelet making! We are also going to have a community wall with a mural for everyone to color or draw or write a note; everything made is either wearable or easy to carry.”

*Facepainting with Lashanna, who’s at Summer Fest every year – as a Pathfinder K-8 parent, she helped establish the free kids’-activity area at Summer Fest eight years ago.

See the map for the kid-zone location. Also at Summer Fest, for families:

*Parents’ Rest Stop – City Mouse is offering its space to families with young children again this year – on SW Alaska just east of California.

And if you missed it:

SUMMER FEST BASICS: All in one place, as published here last Friday.

West Seattle’s biggest event of the year is now just one week away: West Seattle Summer Fest, the three-day street festival in the heart of The Junction!

The West Seattle Junction Association presents the festival, with co-sponsors including WSB, and over the next week we’ll be previewing more of what you’ll find when you go. Today, some basics:

DAYS/HOURS: Friday, July 10, 10 am-6 pm; Saturday, July 11, 10 am-6 pm; Sunday, July 12, 11 am-5 pm (on Friday and Saturday, music/beer gardens run later)

MUSIC SCHEDULE: See it here (as originally announced in May)

GREENLIFE SCHEDULE: The sustainability zone at the south end of the festival (California north of SW Edmunds) has posted its schedule, with events ranging from info you can use to make your daily life more sustainable (including backyard poultry at 1 pm Saturday and , to discussions of development (featuring District 1 City Council candidates, 2 pm Saturday) and bicycling’s future (4 pm Sunday)

SUMMER FEST FOR KIDS: Basics here – more info in our next countdown update.

PET JUNCTION: Just north of SW Oregon, including pools to keep your pup(s) cool

T-SHIRTS: Love the Summer Fest logo? Come to the Info Booth at California/Alaska to buy a shirt!

WHERE IT’S HAPPENING: If this is your first Summer Fest since moving to West Seattle – California SW closes for festival setup between SW Oregon and SW Edmunds around 6 pm Thursday night (July 9th, which is also West Seattle Art Walk night and has some informal “Summer Fest Eve” elements – more on that coming up) and stays closed to motorized-vehicle traffic until late Sunday night (July 12th). Most of the block between Oregon and Genesee is closed too – that’s where you’ll find the stage and beer garden – but Oregon stays open to through traffic. Festival admission is free, but bring $ for kid rides, food, shopping. See you there!

P.S. – ABOUT THE FARMERS’ MARKET: (Added in response to Eric‘s comment below) For Summer Fest Sunday only, it’ll be back in its old spot, the lot on the southeast corner of 44th/Alaska. Same hours as always, 10 am-2 pm. (Then, after Summer Fest, as of July 19th and beyond, the market goes back to California SW between Alaska and Oregon.)

1:32 PM: In case you’re not already at the beach but were wondering – no, the Seafair Pirates have *not* yet landed. Today’s schedule suggested we’ll see them around 2:15 pm; already a big crowd, and of course, the Pirates’ landlubbing getaway vessel vehicle, the Moby Duck, currently in use (top photo) as a photo-op backdrop.

More vendors than we recall seeing in previous years, plus live music, bouncy toys for kids (ticket purchase required), lots to see and do, both west and east of the Alki Bathhouse (at 60th/Alki – and we can attest to parking being maxed out for at least half a mile in all directions).

1:49 PM: We’re told the Pirates are about 10 minutes out; meantime at the stage, emcees are rounding up kids for a “pirate contest.” Next update, when they arrive.

2:05 PM: The Pirates landed about 10 minutes ago, if you’re keeping score. After multiple rounds of cannon fire, Global Diving and Salvage’s Prudhoe Bay brought them to the beach, and suddenly they were mobbed.

ADDED 3:46 PM: Adding a few more photos before we move on to other news, and then we’ll have a big treasure chest of pix in Report #2 later. Above and below, photos by Gary Jones, including the mayor giving the Pirates the key to the city (or did they seize it?):

Gary also noted a pirate-pet-quality bird in attendance:

More later!

Infolinks: *Music * For kids * Pet parade/contests * Food * Authors * Candidates * More

10:48 AM: It’s on! The 10th annual Morgan Junction Community Festival has officially begun, at and around Morgan Junction Park and vicinity, on both sides of California north of Fauntleroy. Vendors and activities until 5, music until 6. … The booth in our photo, at the entrance to the park, is where you want to stop first, for festival info and for the free “Bite of Morgan” tickets while they last.

11:27 AM: Bubbleman‘s about to start his show in the park! When you come, be sure to wander the festival grounds all the way from south to north – we’re on the latter side, just north with the West Seattle Garden Tour, West Seattle TimeBank, Southwest Seattle Historical Society, West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network, and Neighborhood Emergency Communication Hubs.

11:48 AM: Above, a quick Instagram clip of Bubbleman!

Lots of delighted shrieks from the heart of the park, as his show continues. And lots of cool people stopping by the booth – among them, several who’ve said they’re new to West Seattle – summertime is a great time to really plug into the community by visiting events like this, browsing the vendors and organizations who are here.

NOON: If you’re looking for lunch, many options here. Food trucks are in the Washington Federal lot on the east side of California, across from the park; on the southeast corner of California/Fauntleroy, look for the barbecue tent outside West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), where you can buy fresh-grilled lunch with the proceeds all going to help cover festival costs (the festival-presenting Morgan Community Association is an all-volunteer, nonprofit community council).

(Michele at the Thriftway grill)
And there are restaurants in the vicinity too, along California both north and south of Fauntleroy. Meantime, coming up: 1 pm, the “Candidate Corral” opens alongside Beveridge Place Pub; 1:30 pm is the Bark of Morgan pet parade, followed by contests.

12:34 PM: The “Writer’s Realm” meet-the-author area continues – Allan Batchelder was holding court when we stopped by around noon:

Our preview didn’t have the exact-times schedule, so we photographed it over by the tent:

12:50 PM: Just got word the Seattle Police Mounted Patrol has arrived – an officer’s here with Chance – over on the south side of the park.

And along with taking advantage of everything at the festival, don’t miss Morgan Junction’s other attractions. Tom from West Seattle Cellars just stopped by to say hi and mentioned they’re having a rosé tasting 2-5 pm today – they’re at 6026 California SW.

1:16 PM: Also just arrived, Seattle Fire Engine 37.

Go see it before it gets called away on an emergency!

We’re also less than 15 minutes away from the “Bark of Morgan” dog parade. Meantime, we’re told the candidates are ready for your questions at the “Candidate Corral” for the Seattle City Council District 1 race.

(L-R, Pavel Goberman, Phillip Tavel, Brianna Thomas, Shannon Braddock, Chas Redmond, Lisa Herbold, Arturo Robles)
It’s a rare chance to ask what YOU want to know, instead of going to a forum and hearing just what the moderators ask.

1:44 PM: The dog parade has gone by, and now contests are under way west of where we are, on the north side of the park. Adding a quick Instagram clip above, photos to come. (Added:)

2:40 PM: Celtic music on stage now, with McKenzie’s Folly; the Tongan Singers/Dancers are coming up at the top of the hour – we see some young members of the group gathering on the sidewalk south of us. Speaking of the sidewalk – chalk art made today:

In the park, kids’ craft activities continue until 4 pm.

The vendor zone behind Zeeks/Feedback is open until about 5 (get here sooner rather than later) – people you’ll find there include Megan from Flourish Dance Project (WSB sponsor):

From the Seattle Public Library, Diana and Kristina – when you go to your nearby public library, ask them about Summer Reading Bingo (for adults!):

You can also find out more about the US Tennis Association‘s summer tennis camps at the Solstice Park courts near Lincoln Park:

USTA is advertising the camps on WSB to get the word out. Another WSB sponsor you’ll find here every year – award-winning Ventana Construction – here’s co-proprietor Anne Higuera:

(added) A view of the park during the Tongan group’s performance:

4:09 PM: Last hour for vendors and organizations – things have slowed down and some are packing it in already. Thanks yet again to all the wonderful people who have stopped by to say hi; we’ve had a great time hanging out in a new spot this year.

ADDED SUNDAY: A few more festival scenes from our photo reel. Here’s “Archer Addy” and mom Tracy Nachtrieb in the “Meet the Authors” zone:

Also talking with readers, Mike Hickey:

King County’s Doug Marsano with a young festivalgoer at the county’s booth explaining the ongoing local wastewater-related projects:

Nothing but sunshine, all day long!

It’s almost here! Tomorrow brings the Morgan Junction Community Festival (presented by the Morgan Community Association, with co-sponsors including WSB), in and around Morgan Junction Park, both sides of California SW just north of Fauntleroy Way, 10:30 am-6 pm. Our final preview includes two more new features of the festival – first, with City Council District 1 voting starting when ballots arrive in about a month, it’s decision time, and if you’re still making yours, this might help:

District 1 City Council “Candidate Corral”

We’ve arranged for each candidate to have a table in a central gathering area, the Beveridge Place Pub parking lot, where you can sit and have one-on-one time with each candidate. You can visit with as many or as few as you like. Don’t have anything to ask in particular? Hang around and listen in and we’re sure you’ll want to join the conversation. All the candidates have indicated they will be at the Corral (we hope they won’t have last-minute schedule changes!). The candidates will be at tables between 1:00 and 2:30-3:00 pm, just to talk with YOU.

Also new this year:

A first for the Festival! The Seattle Police Mounted Patrol will visit in the afternoon, targeting between 12:30 and 4:00.

While the Mounted Patrol serves the entire city, it’s headquartered here in West Seattle, on the edge of Westcrest Park in Highland Park.

Lots more info in our previous Morgan Junction Community Festival previews:

*Music schedule

*Kids’ activities

*Pet parade & contests

*Meet local authors

*Food

You’ll also find booths with local businesses and organizations you might be interested in finding out more about, both in the park and in the lot behind Zeeks Pizza (WSB sponsor) / Feedback Lounge – we’ll see you there!

Two days away from the Morgan Junction Community Festival (presented by the Morgan Community Association, with co-sponsors including WSB), this Saturday in and around Morgan Junction Park, 10:30 am-6 pm. In this preview – the music lineup, as announced by festival organizers:

10 am – Allison Preisinger – Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter

10:45 am – Baker James – Acoustic Folk and a bit of Rock

(11:30 am, music breaks for the Bubbleman performance)

1 pm – Ellis Brothers – Jazz Trio

2 pm – McKenzie’s Folly – Celtic Music Group

3 pm – Tongan Choir – Pacific Islander Songs and Dances

4:15 pm – Alan Ehrlich – Varied Song Genres

5:15 pm – Acoustic set

6 pm – Festival ends

The stage is in Morgan Junction Park; the festival is on both sides of California SW north of Fauntleroy Way SW – in the park, behind Zeeks Pizza (WSB sponsor) / Feedback Lounge, and alongside Washington Federal. Previous previews:

*Kids’ activities
*Pet parade & contests
*Meet local authors
*Food

See you there on Saturday!

Another day closer to the Morgan Junction Community Festival (presented by the Morgan Community Association, with co-sponsors including WSB), this Saturday in and around Morgan Junction Park, 10:30 am-6 pm. In this preview – the food you’ll find! From festival organizers:

Food Trucks

This year the returning Hungry Me and the newly launched Nibbles, as well as Sweet Bumpas Ice Cream, will be in the Washington Federal parking lot at the northeast corner of Fauntleroy and California from 11:00 to 6:00. Hungry Me offers Asian fusion dishes, such as their signature “Kao Man Gai” (poached chicken and rice) and vegetarian, gluten-free “Peanut Sauce Curry.” Nibbles specializes in Southwest fusion dishes. Their “Smoky Meatloaf Sandwich” and “Grandma GG’s Shortcake” menu items sound tempting. This month, Nibble has been in the West Seattle Eagles parking lot and at the Des Moines Farmers Market opening day. Sweet Bumpas Ice Cream, meantime, promises “boldly flavored ice cream and treats from our cart.”

West Seattle Thriftway special promotion for the Festival

Thriftway will be holding a fundraiser BBQ again for the festival! This is much appreciated and is essential to our fundraising. This year, they will be grilling burgers and the suggested donation of $7 will also get you a bag of chips and a drink. Best deal around!

Plus: Beveridge Place Pub will again have a hot dog cart in their parking lot.

Bite of Morgan

Last but not least is the Bite of Morgan sampling, which starts at participating venues at 11:30 and goes until supplies run out. Six of our fabulous food businesses will provide free small samples in exchange for tickets issued at the MoCA booth in the park. Participants this year are:

Caffé Ladro – Mini-scone and a cold beverage (don’t miss this, it’s worth the couple blocks’ walk south of park)
Peel and Press – Pizza rollup
Zeeks Pizza – Pizza slice
The Bridge – Chocolate-covered strawberry
Domino’s Pizza – Breadstick
Pet Elements – Dog treat

Previous previews:
*Kids’ activities
*Pet parade & contests
*Meet local authors

Heading into summer-festival season, there’s always something big in view just days away – and this week, it’s the Morgan Junction Community Festival (co-sponsored by WSB), this Saturday in and around Morgan Junction Park, 10:30 am-6 pm. We’re planning daily previews, counting down to the festival – starting with a quick look at what’s planned for the youngest festivalgoers. From the festival committee:

Jennifer Young, owner of My Three Little Birds in south Morgan Junction, is coordinating the children’s activities. Chief entertainment for the kids is Bubbleman, of course. He begins his always-pleasing wild and colorful show at 11:30 in Morgan Junction Park.

(WSB photo from 2014)
Craft activities start at 11:00 and end at 4:00, include beading for older kids; and for the younger ones, making sailboats out of water noodles and paper jellyfish. In addition to the crafts, a face painter will be in the children’s area from 12:30 to 2:00, and LuLu Cakes will offer vegan cupcakes from 2:00 to 3:00.

We’ve already previewed the pet parade and contests you’ll find at the festival (here) and the author readings (here). Lots more to come – watch for the next round of preview info on Tuesday – and make plans to come to Morgan Junction on Saturday!

(WSB photo from 2014 West Seattle Car Show)
When the new presenters of the West Seattle Car Show had to regretfully announce one month ago that it wouldn’t happen this year, because the streets in The Junction wouldn’t be available, community commenters suggested South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) as an alternative. And now – it’s happening! Just in:

Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks are pleased to announce that the 2015 car show will happen on Sunday, September 13th, at South Seattle College! We are excited about this new collaboration with the college and thank the West Seattle Community for the idea. Registration and more information to follow soon!

WSAW and Swedish (both WSB sponsors) took over the show after its founder and longtime organizer Michael Hoffman died suddenly last year at age 47, and last September’s show was the biggest one yet.

Summer festival season is about to get into high gear. But community-powered events need community – even just a few hours, as per this request:

The Morgan Junction Community Festival, celebrating its 10th year anniversary on Saturday, June 20, 2015, is looking for volunteers to help out the day of the event. Setup help is needed at 7:30 am; teardown/cleanup tasks start at 6:00 pm when the festival ends. We also need people to work two-hour shifts from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm during the day for traffic/parking control, Bite of Morgan coordination, and information booth staffing. Contact Tod Rodman, volunteer coordinator, for more information and to sign up for a specific job. Tod can be reached at 425-445-1213, or todrodman@gmail.com.

The festival is presented by the Morgan Community Association, with sponsors including WSB.

(WSB file photo)
Exactly two months from now, we’ll be in the midst of West Seattle Summer Fest 2015 – Friday-Sunday, July 10-12, presented by the West Seattle Junction Association (with co-sponsors including WSB). Two notes today as we look ahead to West Seattle’s biggest event of the year:

SUMMER FEST MUSIC LINEUP: Due out tomorrow!

SUMMER FEST COMMUNITY TENT: It’s application time for West Seattle nonprofits and community groups interested in FREE space in the Community Tent. The Junction Association explains, “We will select groups who strive to benefit, strengthen, and educate our community.” Here’s what’s available:

Friday/Saturday: 4-hour slots
10 am – 2 pm, 2 pm – 6 pm

Sunday: 3-hour slots
11 am – 2 pm, 2 pm – 5 pm

The Community Tent will be located on Alaska St, east of California. Tent, tables, and chairs will be provided. Participants are encouraged to set up their table & area with displays which reflect their mission and contributions to the West Seattle Community. They are welcome to bring props, brochures and such, which will entice folks to stop and chat about their organization. NO SALES, PLEASE.

Interested neighborhood non-profits or community groups who would like to be a part of the Summer Fest Community Tent, please e-mail Jenelle by June 27th at jenelle@wsjunction.org.

(SEE JUNE STORY FOR UPDATE – CAR SHOW **IS** ON FOR 2015)

(WSB photo from 2014 West Seattle Car Show)
No West Seattle Car Show this year, according to Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks (both WSB sponsors), who joined forces last year to make sure the show would go on despite the death of its founder. They have just sent this statement and asked us to share it with you:

Due to all the changes in The Junction, including scheduling and space restrictions, The Junction is no longer an option for a car show, and there is no other reasonable alternative at this time. We regret to inform the community that we are unable to put on a car show in 2015. We appreciate the community support we had last year in our first presentation of the show in honor of Michael Hoffman and all of the volunteers, sponsors, participants, and spectators that made it a great success – and the biggest in the show’s history.

The show had been an annual late-summer Junction tradition since its start in 2008, founded and organized by local entrepreneur Michael Hoffman until his sudden death at age 47 in March of last year.