The Washington State Department of Transportation received nearly 600 entries in a special contest to do what ever someone could dream up to spend 30 minutes on the vacant Alaskan Way Viaduct during the 9 day closure which starts tonight, Friday Oct. 21 at 7:30 pm

Dave Ross of KIRO-FM radio talk show host, and Ken Schram, KOMO Newsradio host, were joined by Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program Administrator Linea Laird to decide the winner

The judges were seeking the ultimate idea that was creative and unique, fun and family-friendly, and significant for the entrant and Seattle.

In the fun spirit of the contest many ideas were submitted but were not very realistic. Such as – rolling down the viaduct in the P.I. Globe, making the world’s longest slip-and-slide, setting up a drive-in movie for the waterfront, hosting an Oktoberfest party, competing in an ultimate dodgeball contest, and having a campout to roast marshmallows.

The more feasibly entries ranged from a wishes like wanting to fly stunt kites, set up model trains, or organize a flash mob. Others included hosting a (clearly brief) prom, choreograph a Bollywood film, paint a huge mural, or set a world record for the most espresso shots produced.

The contestant field was narrowed down to two without a clear winner. Hence the end result. Two winners.

The Rat City Rollergirls bout at Key Arena
The Rat City Rollergirls, members of the first flat-track roller derby league in the Northwest many of whose members are in White Center and West Seattle, won with their proposal to speed skate and “bout” along several blocks of the viaduct. According to WSDOT, Jenn Harowicz, a mother and work-at-home graphic designer known on the track as “Know Mercy,” secretly submitted the idea without telling her teammates.

"What attracted me to derby was that it's women of all ages and walks of life. Each skater has a life outside of derby," she said. Jenn drives on the viaduct daily and made a compelling case in her entry for wanting a unique memory of skating on it with her Rollergirls.

Dave Eady and the Seattle Cossacks
The other winner – Seattle Cossacks are the well known motorcycle group who will use their 30 minutes to perform stunts on the viaduct with their vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Dave Eady, a life-long member of the group, has been performing stunts on his motorcycle for the last 39 years.

WSDOT said he submitted his entry because of the historical significance the group and viaduct share. The Seattle Cossacks formed in 1938 and have been taking part in transportation history ever since. The Cossacks were the first to lead the opening of the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge in the 1940’s, and also led the opening of the Spokane Street Bridge. When notified he had won, Dave became overwhelmed by emotion. “I’m 70 years old, so just looking at me you wouldn’t think I could do something like this, but I can,” he said. Dave wants to share the winning time with his team to say a special farewell to the historical structure.

Both of the winning groups are Seattle originals. Following their 30 minutes, they will help kick off a viaduct demolition celebration event by performing on the SR 99 off-ramp at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22.

The nearly 600 submissions included:

Love is in the air in Seattle – 24 proposals, weddings, and anniversaries
Celebrating in style – 19 birthdays and parties
The city’s got a vibrant music scene – 29 bands to perform, including many songs written about the viaduct
Seattle’s got moves – 29 dance groups
City Iconography – 66 photo shoots