Weekend events: Gamer expo, Seattle Marathon 10k, Northwest Lovefest and more
Fri, 08/26/2011
As the last weekend of August rolls around, there’s still no let up in events drawing huge crowds. Tens of thousands of people are expected to turn out for the three-day PAX Expo gamer convention, the two-day Northwest Lovefest world music festival, and Josh Groban Concert. The Seattle Mariners will pull in their fans for three days of games against the Chicago White Sox while Seattle Sounders enthusiasts will be out in force for the match against the Columbus Crew on Saturday. Also in the line-up this weekend: the Seattle Marathon 10K and the Alki Beach 5K. For details about these events, please see the schedule below.
The Seattle Department of Transportation urges event-goers lessen their impact on the environment by parking the car at home and trying one of the many alternate modes of transportation available - Metro Transit, the West Seattle Water Taxi, the Sounder commuter train, Link light rail, car pool, bicycle or even walking, if feasible.
Friday, August 26
PAX Expo: 10 a.m. – 12 Midnight
Gamer convention at the Washington State Convention Center and surrounding venues
20,000 attending
Street closed: Ninth Avenue between Pine and Pike streets from 9 a.m. on Friday to 7 p.m. on Sunday (9th will be open Friday from 3 – 6 p.m.)
Expect congestion on the surrounding streets.
Seattle Mariners vs. Chicago White Sox: 7:10 – 10 p.m.
Safeco Field
22,000 attending
Expect congestion around the stadium before and after the game.
Saturday, August 27
Seattle Marathon - 10K Race: 8:00 a.m. – approximately 11 a.m.
Mercer and Second Avenue N (start ) and Seattle Center (finish)
2,700 participants
Race route: start on Mercer Street at Second Avenue N; east on Mercer to Fifth Avenue N; south on Fifth to Cedar Street; west on Cedar to Western Avenue; south on Western to Marion Street; u-turn; north on Western to Bell Street; north onto northbound SR-99 on-ramp; north on northbound SR-99 to approximately Boston Street; u-turn; south on northbound SR-99 to the Mercer Street off-ramp; east on the off-ramp to Dexter Avenue/Mercer Street; west on Mercer to Second Avenue N and finish on the Seattle Center grounds.
Streets closed 7:30 a.m. – approximately 11 a.m.: Northbound SR-99 will between the Western Avenue off-ramp and the Aurora Bridge.
PAX Expo: 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Washington State Convention Center and surrounding venues
20,000 attending
Street closed: Ninth Avenue between Pine and Pike streets through 7 p.m. Sunday
Expect congestion in the surrounding area.
Seattle’s Chinatown-International District Night Market: 6 p.m. – 12 Midnight
S King Street between Sixth Avenue S and Maynard Avenue S
3,000 attending
Streets above closed 3 p.m. to 12 Midnight.
Expect congestion in the general area.
Northwest Lovefest: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
World music festival on N Northlake Way, Fremont area
10,000 attending
Street Closed: 6 p.m. Friday – 12 Midnight Sunday: N. Northlake Way from Stone Way N and Troll Avenue N.
Expect congestion in the area.
Seattle Sounders vs. Columbus Crew: 1 – 2:30 p.m.
CenturyLink Field
36,000 attending
Expect congestion around the stadium before and after the match.
Seattle Mariners vs. Chicago White Sox: 7:10 – 10 p.m.
Safeco Field
24,000 attending
Expect congestion around the stadium before and after the game.
Josh Groban Concert: 8 - 11 p.m.
Key Arena, Seattle Center
20,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic between the Seattle Center and the I-5 Mercer Ramp.
Sunday, August 28:
PAX Expo: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Gamer convention at the Washington State Convention Center and surrounding venues
20,000 attending
Street closed until 7 p.m.: Ninth Avenue between Pine and Pike streets
Expect congestion in the area.
Northwest Lovefest: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
World music festival on N Northlake Way, Fremont area
10,000 attending
Street Closed: 6 p.m. Friday – Midnight Sunday: N. Northlake Way from 6 p.m. on Friday to 12 Midnight on Sunday.
Expect congestion in the area.
Alki Beach 5K: 9 - 11 a.m.
Starts and ends on Alki Avenue SW and 60th Avenue SW
1,400 participants
Race route: starts on Alki Avenue SW at 60th Avenue SW; heads east on Alki to Anchor Park (1100 Alki Avenue SW), makes a u-turn and goes back to start;
Street closed from 8 – 11 a.m.: Race route on Alki Avenue SW from 60th SW to Anchor Park.
Seattle Mariners vs. Chicago White Sox: 1:10 – 3 p.m.
Safeco Field
22,000 attending
Expect congestion around the stadium before and after the game.