West Seattle Summer Fest

Too cluttered in the kids/​rides area– not nearly enough rides and the lines were so long, it wasn’t worth getting an unlimited pass for. No ATM’s around and port-​a-​potties only in once section of the fest– the kids area (and the most cluttered). Not as many vegetarian food options as I would’ve expected for Seattle, and the local businesses didn’t seem to be doing anything special for the day (no sales, no book signings or in-​store music events).

Once again, Summer Fest has come and gone here in West Seattle. I don’t remember the record amount of traffic and crowds, though. Due to the incredible growth of compact, modern apartments particularly in the Alaska Junction, every single parking spot for three days from 10 — 5 was occupied. Festivity seekers prowled the side streets in search of an elusive spot, filling the air with impatient honking and the thud of subwoofers and unmuffled tail pipes.
The party itself isn’t too unusual from any other average street fair. It features a limited amount of rides and bouncy castles on one block, fried food, burgers and hot dogs down another block, live music on either end, stalls aplenty sponsored by local artisans, environmental groups and farmers. Most of the restaurants that line California offered a beer garden, a fast grab food sample or outdoor patio dining. If you enjoy the southern West Seattle restaurant offerings, patronize Seattle farmers markets regularly and don’t mind crowds, this is an event you’ll enjoy.

We wanted something different to go rather than going out around the Fremont area so we researched events going on in Seattle. This Summer Fest came up and by the description, it sounded really fun and different from our usual. It had a lot of vendors, food and it was a perfect gorgeous day to go. We usually don’t make our way down to the West Seattle area but since it was only 15 minutes away, we decided it was worth it. I mean why not?
We get there and had to park… wah wah wah. It did take about ten minutes of driving around random streets around the area but you are going to have to do that with any street fair that you go to. We found parking only a block away and so it was really easy to find the fair as well as find our way back.
This Summer Fest is HUGE. It goes on forever! There were a huge variety of vendors so you get a feel of a lot of different products. They allow street musicians to set up wherever they would like along the sidewalk/​fair to perform and earn money. So while walking through the street you get to hear the musical stylings of all the musicians. It is nice because they don’t overlap and are spaced out perfectly so they are heard separately. There is also a stage at the very end of the fair and can only be heard if you make your way all the way back there.
Although there were many vendors at the fair, there was nothing I was interested in and nothing I would have bought if I was interested. It was mostly local businesses, craftsmen products, real estate companies, some jewelry spots and things like that. Nothing very exciting or interesting so I was disappointed in that.
But they have a TON of restaurants along the fair so if you are hungry, you will find somewhere to eat really fast.
Overall, yeah it was fun for something to do on a sunny day, to walk around, people watch and grab something to eat. But for shopping purposes, meh. Not my favorite.

we stumbled upon this, and it was a very happy accident. good times.

This weekend has been one full of festival happenings around town. One of these being the West Seattle Summer Fest. I have going to this festival for several years now. It has similar appeal for me to the Ballard SeafoodFest, which interestingly moved their event up to the same weekend this year. It is a neighborhood celebration.
Like Ballard, the businesses in the Junction all seem to embrace the festival. Many of businesses tend to hold sidewalk sales. The one I am most fond of is the Easy Street Records used CD sale. Three CDs for $ 5! It is a treasure hunt finding a treasure in a sea of crap. I think this is the only place I could justify buying say, a Jessica Simpson CD, if I wanted to.
There is the usual vendor and food booths that you expect to see at other festivals which are okay. I kind of prefer Ballard in this regard. As it is held at the height of summer, it can get pretty scorching so be prepared to hydrate when perusing.
Live music is also a component of the festival. There are two stages and the bands playing here are of pretty decent quality for a neighborhood festival. Nothing like Capitol Hill Block Party, but this is a free event. What do you expect? U2. Uh uh.
All in all, Summer Fest is a pretty decent event. If you have not visited West Seattle recently, this is one of the best times to go and revisit this quaint neighborhood.

This past weekend was my first visit to West Seattle’s Summer Fest. I don’t often venture to West Seattle, but we were already at Salty’s so why not!
The festival is located at «The Junction» which is intersection of California Ave. SW & SW Alaska. There was street parking if you were patient, but rather hilly the further you went.
Festival floorplan was laid out in a cross with two music stages (Alaska and California). There were typical booths — food, craft, companies/​corporations, Penguin windows (want to win windows? I don’t even have a house!), henna/​air brush, etc. The stores on the festival route had their wares on the side walk. There were also a lot of kid-​friendly booths with free face painting, cookie decorating, and stilt or unicycle races. Wow! And a beer garden for adults, of course.
We went on Sunday when it was a bit overcast, so we had plenty of room to walk and time to check out everything. When the sun came out the crowds started coming in. :)
The farmer’s market was also participating and had some great deals on flowers.
I will definitely be going back next year!
Tip: Those wanting to earn volunteer hours to apply towards free admission for Bumbershoot (or possibly another festival w/​fee) could volunteer here.