Life is hard for a Ballardite during SeafoodFest. So much is asked of us and we have so little time to do it all. From drinking beer and eating barbecued salmon to seeing music and taking part in the annual lutefisk eating competition (we'll sit out this round), SeafoodFest has something for everyone, of any age and of any Scandinavian flavor.

SeafoodFest takes place in the downtown core of Ballard, along Market St and Ballard Ave. To help you out, we put together a guide

For more info, visit seafoodfest.org

Saturday, July 13

Ballard Ave MainStage

12 noon -- School Of Rock link
1:30 p.m. -- Smokey Brights link
3:00 p.m. -- Horde and The Harem link
4:30 p.m. -- Kithkin link
6:00 p.m. -- Sweet Water "acoustic" link
7:30 p.m. -- Ayron Jones & The Way link

Bergen PlaceLive

11 a.m. -- Ballard Health Club Yoga
1 p.m. -- Lutefisk Eating Contest
2 p.m. -- Pike Place Fish Toss
3 p.m. -- Oyster Shucking
3:45 p.m. -- Best of the Fest Food Vendor Announcement
4 p.m. -- Oyster Eating Contest

Ballard Commons FamilyStage

12 noon -- Solana Booth, Native Stories and Hoop Dancing
1 p.m. -- Penny’s Puppets, Mirnah the Mermaid link
2 p.m. -- Mario the Funny Man
3 p.m. -- Penny’s Puppets, Mirnah the Mermaid link
4 p.m. -- Roving Reptiles link
5 p.m. -- Mario the Funny Man

*Alleyoop’s Turtle Theater shows are on-going between stage shows both days

Sunday, July 14

Ballard Ave MainStage

11:30 a.m. -- Blvd Park link
12:30 p.m. -- Massy Ferguson link
1:45 p.m. -- Davidson Hart Kingsbery link
3:00 p.m. -- Polecat link
4:30 p.m. -- Star Anna link
5:45 p.m. -- Bobby Bare Jr. link

Bergen PlaceLive

11 a.m. -- Ballard Health Club Yoga
12 noon -- Arc Youth Dance Company
1 p.m. -- Kiwanis Hot Dog Eating Contest
2 p.m. -- Pike Place Fish Toss
3 p.m. -- Kid's Superhero Costume Contest, sponsored by Hattie's Hat
4 p.m. -- Tropical Cruise Raffle Drawing

Ballard Commons FamilyStage

12 noon -- Deano the Clown link
1 p.m. -- Penny’s Puppets, Mirnah the Mermaid link
2 p.m. -- Mario the Funny Man with Anchor!
3 p.m. -- Penny’s Puppets, Mirnah the Mermaid link
4 p.m. -- Roving Reptiles link
5 p.m. -- Mario the Funny Man

*Alleyoop’s Turtle Theater shows are on-going between stage shows both days

Don't miss

Salmon BBQ

Whatever you do, don't forget the salmon. The annual salmon BBQ, as old as SeafoodFest itself, will be having its 39th year, thanks to the good folks of Ballard Oil, Camco Electric and Pacific Fishermen.

How does Ballard like its salmon? The Chamber of Commerce explains:

"Ballard sizzles it over an alder fire ‘til it’s a steaming, succulent slice of the best Omega 3’s you will ever slide down your gullet. And they’ve been doing it the same way for 39 years! Each year, over a ton of salmon is served--think about it, that’s 39 tons of salmon. Can you even imagine that much fish?"

Free Admission to the Nordic Heritage Museum

On Sunday, July 14th, you can head over to the venerable Nordic Heritage Museum (3014 NW 67th St) for free admission from noon to 4 p.m. Discover your inner Scandinavian, explore history and gander at the moody Ørnulf Opdahl exhibit.

Pick up the new Anchor comic

If you've been reading our paper, you know Ballard has a new superhero, The Anchor, who has the power to hold his breath for a really long time -- and fights giant squids. All in a day.

You might also know that a new Anchor comic has been funded through KickStarter. It's created by Ballard cartoonist Jordan Giarratano, who is also owner of Fighting Chance Seattle. The comics will be available at SeafoodFest and The Anchor himself will be on scene signing comics.

BeerFest

It's no news to anyone, but Ballard has become ground zero for good beer over the past couple of years. So, in honor of all our Ballard breweries, old and new, SeafoodFest is hosting the first annual BeerFest. (Also, this will be the first time people get to taste the shortly upcoming brewery, Bad Jimmy's.)

BeerFest will take place at the beer garden on 22nd Ave NW and Ballard Ave. It will be open on Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.

Here's a list of participating breweries:

• Hilliards
• Northwest Peaks
• Populuxe
• Reuben's Brews
• Two Beers
• American Brewing
• Bad Jimmy's
• Chuckanut
• Hales
• Georgetown Brewing
• Ninkasi
• Red Hook
• Pike
• Odin

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