Freemont Festival

From Belly-Dancers, and picnics, to artistic renderings, and Neil Diamond’s 14-piece Tribute Band: Where on earth would you find such a mix of activities and goings-on? Well in a suburb of Seattle, Washington known as Freemont of course. For the last 36 years, Freemont, in the month of June has been host to the splendorous Freemont Fair, Summer Solstice Parade and Celebration.

With a focus on peace and environmentalism, the Fair is open to children and adults, with many activities to entertain all. Most everyone, of all ages, tends to like one form of music or another. So it should come as no surprise that music is such a prominent part of this celebration. There are at least three different stages (and at times four) being utilized at any given time, located throughout the humongous fair grounds, covering literally multiple city blocks, exhibiting live music from 11:30 in the morning until close to 8:30 at night, with multiple simultaneous performances.

Freemont had perhaps one of the most diverse lists of stage performers one could have hoped for, with over 41 different talent groups and/or individual music artists providing entertainment during the 2007 fair. Some of the more interesting groups (according to this writer only) included Andy Werth, jump-blues by the Ben Rice Band, "intelligent rock", Capital Basement, R&B by Carrie Akre, playing cowboy romance music from Hollywood, the Celluloid Cowboys (not to worry, the only thing you will get fat on from this group is love), folk music by Colin Spring, old-time, high-spirited harmony by Deadwood Revival, poetic verve presented by Gerald Collier, djimbe and sabar music from Ibrahima Camara, some good ole’ deep country twang by Jared Clifton, the all gay country band Purty Mouth, for children, the Recess Monkey, jazz by the Rick Wright Quintet, a rock musical by Scarlet Room, two of the more unique groups presenting bubble grunge rock, Sister Psychic, and Snakebites, and of course, what would a fair be without at least some traditional Irish folk music, presented by Stout Pounders.

Not into music? There was little to worry about though for individuals that were not really into music, poetry readings, or instrumentals, given the unfathomable amount of other activities there was to engage in. Of course there were the typically rides that most high-end fairs have, thus allowing brave attendees the change to spill their popcorn or loose their lunch on the Wheel of Death. For those interested in less nerve rending activities, there were also children’s rides.

If you wanted to skip the rides altogether, there was a plethora of other opportunities for adults and children alike. Attendees could make their own T-shirts at Adobe Kids Universe, participate by coloring part of the symbolic artwork for the 2007 fair, known as the Center of the Universe, watch skateboard demonstrations, be entertained by jugglers, participate in the Solstice parade by dressing-up as any number of creatures from a salmon to a tree to, well, whatever, watch artist’s demonstrations, and even have their face painted.

For the men and women alike, of great interest was the Seattle Art Car Blowout! This event could in no way be confused with a classic car show. The vehicles at this event were rolling pieces of exquisite artwork created by fascinating sculpting, welding, some even "glittered" and of course all vehicles having been totally decked out to the max. Although the alterations on some of the vehicles may have been extreme, they were none-the-less considered laborious genuine works of mobile art.

If you had any energy left after listening to the musicians, playing on the rides, creating your own T-Shirts, participating in the parade and attending the car blowout, there was still plenty more to do. Freemont managed to round up over 300 venders displaying their wares in booths for attendees to roam through. These vendors included selling both locally created and imported crafts. However, not all were simply crafts, there were also numerous non-profit organizations present as well, to include everyone from Amnesty International to the Woodland Park Zoo. Craft items available ranged from leather goods to baby bibs and Tibetan to Native Indian to Zen craft.

And finally, what would the Freemont Fair be without excellent food. Like most any fair, you can munch to your heart’s content. However, Freemont goes above and beyond the call of duty with over 25 food vendors from practically around the globe. Attendees could eat Greek at Athena’s Gyros, or seafood at the Chesapeake Crab Company or the Original Shrimp & Crab. If that didn’t do the trick or taunt the taste buds, there was Chinese food, a taste of Polish food at Kaleenka Piroshky, German delights at Ziegler’s Bratwurst and of course a dash of Mexican delight by either Taco Grande, or the Fajita Express. For those that did not wish to invest in the diverse culinary experience, there were numerous American staples available such as Big O's BBQ, Corn Rosters, Elaine's Ice Cream, Little C’s Funnel Cakes, and the list goes on and on.

All of the events and activities, rides and food were not what made the Freemont Fair one of the greatest fairs around. Rather, it was the purpose of the fair that made it great. Throughout the fair grounds were Community Giving Stations with the purpose of helping to eliminate poverty in Freemont, Seattle and surrounding King County. This was the Freemont Fair’s primary purpose; to assist low-income people with shelter, food and other needs. To encourage the success of this endeavor, every musical and artistic performer waived their normal fees. Even children were made a significant part of the event, having been given the opportunity to create packages of school supplies for other children in need. Everyone that attended, in some way contributed to help the impoverished, if by nothing more, than showing their support by their presence.

The Freemont Fair and Summer Solstice parade and Celebration is simply a model community that cares, seen in action.

Comments

[nik]

I like the look of the tan/brown shirt, myself.

[Will Franklin]

Purity Mouth is a fantastic band!

[John Donnovan]

The Seattle Art Car Blowout was amazing! Drivable Art!

[Jack]

I had never heard of Bell Dancing in America. But when I read this article, I was convinced that Freemont is that place on earth where you find everything from belly dancing to partying. Its strange that nobody ever knew this before.

[Rachael]

I've been to Seattle before but I never knew it was so much fun I guess I was missing out!

[Jennifer Silas]

I'm so proud to call Seattle MY HOME TOWN!!!! Summer Solstice Parade is always a good time.

[Bradley James]

I never thought I would see Recess Monkey and Sister Psychic mentioned together, but hey!

[Michael Sangelli]

Those funnel cakes are delicious. Even the thought of them, makes my mouth water.

[Sarah Paynell]

Seattle has the most diverse things and events planned throughout the year. I welcome sites like this because it shows just what a great place this is!

[Tiffany Port]

The Freemont Fair sounds way better then my town's hometown fair!

[Bridgit Connors]

As a youngin with the heart of a Hippie this sounds so great! I just recently reloacted to the northwest and have been missing some of my old haunts. I plan to be there next summer for my vacation.

[mmghtyred]

oops! my last comment didnt include the proper e-mail address to get paid. Please make a note of it.

[SeeAttle]

What a fun time! The kids had a blast, my wife and I had the time of our lives, and we have memories that will last a lifetime!