The Fremont Fair bucks tradition
Thu, 06/12/2014
The 43rd annual Fremont Fair, taking place June 20-22, 2014, is trading country music for hip-hop and livestock for art cars. With a large dose of the Fremont neighborhood's "delibertas quirkas" (freedom to be peculiar) nature, the weekend-long urban fair is turning the traditional notion of "fair" on its head.
MUSIC - Urban: Rock & Hip-Hop v. Country: Country
While traditional country fairs bring in the names tearing up the country charts, the Fremont Fair honors Seattle's deep roots in both rock and hip-hop. The Solstice Concerts welcome headliners Built to Spill (Friday) and Blue Scholars (Saturday) to play the all-ages, ticketed Redhook Main Stage. Local rock and hip-hop bands round out the rest of the main stage concerts. In addition, the free Waterfront stage is featuring local rock and indie bands all day Saturday and Sunday.
ENTERTAINMENT - Urban: Solstice Parade v. Country: Rodeo
The Country Fair delights in the pageantry of the rodeo, while the Fremont Fair sees its long-standing tradition in the Solstice Parade. Handcrafted floats, marching ensembles, and painted bicyclists (albeit some bareback riders as well) take the place of brave cowboys and bucking broncos in exciting fairgoers.
EXHIBITS - Urban: Art Cars v. Country: Livestock
Instead of barns fall of livestock, the Fremont Fair features a lot full of art cars. The funky cars are decorated with items such as dental knickknacks, plastic sea creatures, and strands of beads. Over 75 cars will be on display all day Saturday and Sunday.
FOOD - Urban: Food Trucks and Food Booths v. Country: Food Booths
Fair food is not to be messed with. The Fremont Fair honors the tradition of elephant ears, giant corn dogs, and corn on the cob, but adds a very Seattle tradition: Food Trucks such as Barking Frog Mobile Kitchen, will feeding the masses all weekend long.
Tickets to the Solstice Concerts are $20 ($35 for a two-day pass) and on sale now at www.fremontfair.strangertickets.com. The Fremont Fair Craft Market and Solstice Parade are free and open to the public.