Fremont Solstice Parade!


  When I first moved to Seattle, Fremont is where I stayed, thanks to my sister who had an apartment in Fremont overlooking Lake Union, downtown and Mt. Rainier on those clear Seattle days. I miss living in Fremont; "The Center of the Universe" as it is another great little neighborhood within Seattle. I miss running up to and around Green Lake or grabbing a coffee at Peets. So, I am glad to return to Fremont whenever I am near by.
  Seriously, the Fremont Solstice Parade is something every person that lives in the Seattle area or travelers need to check out at least once. The parade always is the third weekend in June which for me happens to fall on Grandma's Marathon weekend in Duluth, MN and the Mt. Hood Scramble. This year my friend Carissa was going to be in town so I decided it would be a good time to skip the Mt Hood Scramble, stay in town, hang with Carissa and finally get on down to Fremont for the parade. This is one time of year that anyone can ride through town naked on a bike or on rollerblades and not be arrested. Thought about it...maybe next year.
  So, is it all about the naked people that gets people like myself to come on down to Fremont to watch? Well, let me just say, it doesn't hurt to have hundred's of painted naked people head to toe on bikes, unicycle's, rollarblades and scooter's in a parade for about an hour to get my attention! What other parade can offer that? I said to Carissa, "There is probably only one other place in America that you can see naked people in parade, and that is probably Portland." I am thinking it something about the Pacific NW that must do it to people. There is more to the parade then a free show, different organizations in the area, dancers, bands, belly dancers, kids on stilts, art on wheels, the fair aspect of the festival and seemingly everyone with a smile in the parade and watching as well, except for those in the beer garden. They just looked like they were in a cage, separated from everyone else, looking out through the fence wondering what is going on.
  After the 2 hour parade, Carissa and I strolled thru the fair checking things out, seeing some nice artwork, live music, great smelling food, and great people watching as well. I really enjoyed the band, Project Lionheart so we watched them for a bit. I was bummed that a wonderfully named singer, Thaddillac would be preforming the next day. Maybe I can hunt down a t-shirt with "Thaddillac" on it. Can my nickname be, Thaddillac? Hmmmm? Ha!

  Anyways, here are a few factoids from the Fremont fair website... 

• Founded in 1972, the Fremont Fair is one of Seattle’s most beloved neighborhood street festivals, featuring a weekend of eclectic activities that celebrate the quirky community of Fremont, the self-proclaimed “center of the universe.”
• Held annually in mid-June to coincide with the Summer Solstice
• The event draws more than 100,000 people to shop, eat, drink, mingle, groove, and enjoy all manners of creative expression.
• Artistic highlights include craft and art booths, street performers, local bands, wacky decorated art cars, the free-spirited Solstice Parade produced by the Fremont Arts Council, and many other oddities that personify Fremont’s official motto “Delibertus Quirkus” – Freedom to be Peculiar.
• If you are ever in Seattle in June check it out! http://www.fremontfair.org/

A look across the street to Lake Union and D-town Seattle.



Carissa and I seaking shelter from the rain of nakedness.
Btw, the Rosemary shrub in back of else smelled so good!

Popeye and Olive Oil.

She's Ubercute!

Superheroes need loving too.

Carissa and Cee Cee :)

I will call her Bubbles.

Nice!

A little love from the balcony.

Not in the parade, just a cute spectator.

Not sure.

Dalmations and friends.

Whatever works to get the job done.

Some hunk.

If I was a kid I would be scared.

Superheroes. Yeah Baby!

Crazy kids...very impressive!

Happy Soltice!

"Put on your red shoes and dance the blues."



Buggin' out.

Until next time my friends...

Adeventure On!!!



Last but not least...The Fremont Troll!