Mayor Mike McGinn and Governor Jay Inslee have both proclaimed Sept. 8 as Harbor Seal Day and a special celebration is set to celebrate marine mammals and dedicate the recently installed sculpture on Alki of the Sentinels of the Sound.

That artwork, created by noted northwest sculptor Georgia Gerber was put in place last week and is the centerpiece of the celebration.

The event, made possible through the efforts of West Seattle marine mammal protection organization Seal Sitters gets under way at 1pm with educational displays and chidren's activities. At 1:30 the dedication ceremony begins hosted by KING 5/Evening Magazine's Jim Dever at the Alki Bathhouse at 2701 Alki Ave. SW. The event ends at 4pm.

The event will feature children's art activities, a puppet booth, face painting, live music and cake.

Those attending will have a chance to meet Gerber, see the winners of the "Year of the Seal" Children's Art and Story contest and learn more about our marine environment from the numerous organizations who will be there with outreach tables including:

• NOAA Marine Debris Division
• WDFW Marine Mammal Investigators
• Puget SoundkeepersAlliance
• NOAA NW Marine Mammal Stranding Network
• The Whale Trail
• Sno-King Marine Mammal
• PAWS Wildlife Center
• ToxIck
• Killer Whale Tales
• Southside Marine Life Resource Center
• Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network
• Seattle Aquarium