A walking attraction: dressed-up fair-goers were as much an attraction as the Solstice Parade itself. CLICK ON IMAGE ABOVE TO START SLIDESHOW.
Hundreds of fair-goers spilled into the streets for the Fremont Fair this weekend. The pre-party on Friday night with Redhook brews and a bit of soul set the stage for a weekend packed with fun and good-old-Fremont-wackiness.
Multiple beer and wine gardens were conveniently planted near three stages that hosted local bands. For those looking for thrill, a giant purple slide was set up on N. 34th St. just above Phinney Ave.
On Saturday, the Fremont Solstice Parade celebrated the longest day of the year with unique costumes and ‘earth-friendly’ vehicles such as bicycles. Marion Moat and Stewart Hubka participated in the parade. Moat wore a bright blue wig and colorful garb reflecting her peacock theme as she posed with Hubka, who took a more medieval approach to the parade.
“I love being in the parade, it’s so much more fun to be in it. [I enjoy] seeing everyone’s creativity. [The parade] is such an explosion of color, light, and movement,” said Moat, whose theme for her group was the ‘prancing peacocks’.
Events that inspired bursts of color and decoration included the Seattle Erotic Arts Festival. Costumes were sure to turn a few heads as many used their bodies as a literal canvas of art and expression.
An avatar was spotted, as well as a scandalously friendly devil, and a ‘man in the hat’ whose body was painted white with black stripes. It seemed that many who chose to paint their bodies also participated in the Solstice Parade.
Over 300 vendors brought colorful imported clothing, handmade crafts and novelty items. Shoppers tried on handmade leather bracelets and traded cash for delicious eateries and homemade goods.
Local band, Le Wrens, drew a crowd to the Fremont Abbey Stage. Sweet and nearly mournful violin joined gritty electric guitar strings while vocals lead the crowd with lyrics like, “I’m a vampire baby . . . good times are comin’ baby, but they’re comin’ slow.” A few heads were bobbing amongst the crowd while others clapped. Some gazed on beneath hipster sunglasses in that somewhat stoic way of appreciating music in Seattle.
An 80-pound albino Burmese python enticed a small crowd as its huge body wrapped around its trusting owner, Chad. On the other side of the festival, a small boy experienced what might have been his first interactive video game. A man in peculiar glasses responded to the boy’s controls behind a huge gold frame as he animated a stuffed unicorn.
Father’s Day concluded the Fremont Fair, with the Dad’s and Dog’s Day puppy parade and solstice yoga: an inspirational ending to a weekend of libations, music, and eccentricity.