West Seattle, Washington
03 Friday
With the Fourth of July happening on a Saturday this year, that sets up some differentiation in what’s closed Friday and what’s not. The general rule is, if an agency/service is generally open on Saturdays, it’ll be closed on the actual holiday Saturday and open tomorrow, but if it’s not generally open on Saturdays, it’ll be observe the holiday on Friday. This means, among other things, that banks, libraries, and the USPS are open/in service Friday, closed Saturday. And some have modified schedules both days – as seen in the Seattle Parks plan. And if you use street parking in areas where the city charges for it, Saturday is the free-parking day. (We’ll have holiday transit info in our morning traffic/transit/weather roundup Friday morning.)
Just two days until hundreds of West Seattle’s youngest residents will parade through the streets of North Admiral with their families, as the Admiral Neighborhood Association again presents the West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade. We’ve checked in with parade coordinators for the newest info:
–Kavya Bhatkar (age 10), a School of Rock student, will sing the anthem.
-Title sponsors for the parade are: Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care and Holy Rosary.
-Food available for purchase including:
Seattle Pops
West Seattle Grounds
Where Ya at Matt
Empanadas El Pachi
La La Lemonade
Seattle Sorbet
Hawk Dogs
Sugar & Spoon
The parade starts at 10 am Saturday from 45th SW and SW Sunset, heads west on Sunset for a bit, turns south and then east, ending at Hamilton Viewpoint Park for a post-parade celebration with sack races, activity booths, the aforementioned food/treat vendors, and if they’re not called away to an emergency, an SFD truck to see. No RSVP or registration required to be in the parade – just show up (non-motorized bikes, trikes, scooters, strollers, etc., welcome, or just walk).
(2024 reader photo of fireworks damage on Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex turf)
Here’s the annual announcement from Seattle Parks – we’ve excised the non-local parks:
Seattle Parks and Recreation will turn on field lighting on ballfields throughout the city on the evening of Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 to protect the surfaces. The ballfield lights will be turned on at approximately 9 PM.
The lights will be turned on to discourage the use of fireworks. Fireworks are illegal in the city of Seattle and will destroy the artificial turf on the fields or surrounding facilities. The approximate replacement cost for the synthetic surface based on per average full-size field (110,000 square feet) is $1.2 million. All the fields have been renovated in the past several years and benefit field users including soccer, football, baseball, ultimate frisbee and lacrosse.
The fields will be monitored from 9 PM to 3 AM
Lights at the following synthetic fields will be turned off at 3 AM on July 3 and 4:
Delridge Playfield, 4458 Delridge Way SW
Hiawatha Playfield, 2700 California Ave. SW
South Park Playfield, 8319 8th Ave S
Walt Hundley Playfield, 6920 34th Avenue SWLights will be turned off at the following grass fields at 11 PM on July 3 and 4:
West Seattle Stadium, 4432 35th Ave. SW
Comparing this to last year’s announcement, the lights will be on longer the night before the 4th, and the “monitoring” will be an hour later.
The Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Log House Museum on Alki has been a place to visit on the Fourth of July for various reasons over the years. After all, it’s a holiday about history! Two things to know about the museum’s Fourth of July plan this year:
(Rendering courtesy SWSHS)
-Though the original hope was to be able to open the new permanent exhibit on the Fourth, it’s still a work in progress, SWSHS executive director Elizabeth Rudrud told WSB when we checked in for a progress report. She says the goal now is a grand opening in August.
-But here’s a reason to visit on the holiday anyway: Fourth of July Storytime, 11 am-1 pm, a drop-in event in the museum courtyard:
Join us for a festive morning highlighting American icons. Experience the wonder of storytelling with Eva Abram, who brings folktales and stories from American history to life. Then get in on crafts that explore three Statues of Liberty — the original, the one on Alki Beach, and the original statue that stood on Alki Beach, coming soon to the Log House Museum.
If you’re going to the Fourth of July Kids’ Parade, this is just downhill at 61st/Stevens, and also free.
We’re just five days away from the 4th of July, so it’s time to remind you that the holiday brings a quarter-century-plus tradition – the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade! This is a “show up and you’re part of it” parade, starting at 10 am Saturday at 45th SW and Sunset SW [map] in North Admiral, winding through a few residential blocks before crossing California SW and heading into Hamilton Viewpoint Park for post-parade fun – sack races, activity booths, food trucks. This is a non-motorized parade (except for the classic pickup truck and fire truck that usually lead it), but pedaled bikes, push scooters, wagons, and strollers are welcome. The Admiral Neighborhood Association presents the parade, powered by volunteers, donations, and sponsorships (more on that here).
(WSB July 4, 2025, photo by Oliver Hamlin)
Now that it’s the 4th of June, we have the chance to remind you that we’re exactly one month away from the peninsula’s biggest 4th of July event – the Kids’ Parade, again presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, 10 am start along a neighborhood route that starts at 44th/Sunset [map], heads west a bit, then south, then east to Hamilton Viewpoint, where sack races, games, and food/treat trucks/carts await. No entry forms or RSVPs or entry fees for the parade – just show up (on foot or on human-powered wheels) and you’re part of it! The ANA also is still welcoming sponsors to help cover the costs of running the parade and post-and parade celebration – you can sign up here.
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
The rain did not deter a larger-than-usual turnout today for the traditional Memorial Day service at Forest Lawn in High Point, some with umbrellas, others under a canopy in view of the cemetery flagpole:
We recorded it all on video:
After Scouts from Troop 799 brought in the national and state flags, speakers expounded on the theme of gratitude.
Lou Vargas from Dignity Memorial, which owns Forest Lawn, welcomed attendees, and introduced the first guest speaker, Elizabeth Orvis of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations:
She spoke of the sacrifices made by many to protect our freedom, and the importance of supporting the families they left behind. Gratitude for Filipino Americans’ contributions was a theme for both this service and one that the Dignity team had led earlier in the day at another cemetery in Tukwila. The National Anthem singer was Sofia Nigro:
Dignity’s Carrie Burgess observed that Memorial Day is “a sacred time” for gratitude and remembrance.
And if you wonder whether it’s OK to say “Happy Memorial Day,” guest speaker West Seattle VFW Post 2713 Commander Steve Strand said yes:
The U.S. Army veteran explained that it’s important to enjoy life – including holidays – because of those who fought and died for our right to do that. Among them – the thousands of Filipino and American prisoners-of-war in World War Two forced by Japanese captors onto what became known as the Bataan Death March.
A flag was presented to Michael Hayes, descendant of a soldier forced onto the Bataan Death March:
In addition to that act of gratitude, another followed, with certificates of appreciation presented to many of those participating in the event:
The service concluded shortly thereafter, and as attendees headed out, flag-decorated graves throughout the ceremony underscored the words of many speakers:
(‘Bey’ the Bald Eagle, photographed by James Tilley)
Here’s info you might find useful on this Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026:
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Rain and wind expected by pm, low-60s high. Sunrise was at 5:20 am; sunset will be at 8:52 pm.
TRANSIT/TRANSPORTATION
Metro: Sunday schedule
West Seattle Water Taxi and its shuttles: Regular weekday schedule
Washington State Ferries: The ferry-alert page says Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth will be on a holiday schedule today
Sound Transit: Sunday schedule for light rail, ST Express buses
Other services: See a list here
No charge for street parking in Seattle neighborhoods with city-managed pay-to-park
TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Our page highlighting local cameras is here
SDOT’s map with cameras and alerts from around the city is here
CLOSURES
Seattle Public Library facilities
Schools
Government offices
Banks
RAIN-OR-SHINE OUTDOOR AQUATICS
Highland Park Spraypark (11 am-8 pm, 1100 SW Cloverdale)
Colman Pool (noon-7 pm, on Lincoln Park shore, session schedule here)
REMEMBERING
*The traditional Memorial Day ceremony will be held at Forest Lawn (6701 30th SW), 2 pm, all welcome
Anything else we should know/ensure your neighbors know about? Texting’s the best way to reach us today – 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Thanks to Kathleen for the photo from Friday night. Hard as it is to believe after today’s beautiful sunshine, the forecast is still predicting rain and wind for the Memorial Day holiday. The National Weather Service says rain’s most likely in the pm, and that the wind could gust up to 23 mph, so batten down your barbecue …
(2025 WSB photo by Dave Gershgorn)
If you’re looking for a ceremonial way to observe Memorial Day on Monday, Forest Lawn in West Seattle has announced its annual ceremony:
Join us in person to honor and remember at our Annual Memorial Day Celebration (2 pm at Forest Lawn Cemetery & Funeral Home)! Pay tribute to those who have served our country with an event of music, speeches and a flag ceremony. Share stories and connect with the community. Whether you come with friends or family, there’s a warm welcome waiting for you. Don’t miss out on a meaningful way to spend the day outdoors.
Forest Lawn’s official address is 6701 30th SW but the ceremony is toward the south side of the cemetery – look for the canopy and flagpole.
Easter Sunday is April 5; Passover starts April 1; and the major events – including egg hunts – start this weekend. We’re about to start building a calendar page for local services and have received several announcements already; if you’re having a service or other seasonal event in the days ahead, please send the info ASAP to westseattleblog@gmail.com to be included – thank you.
(2025 WSB photo, Lincoln Park)
In recent years, Eastridge Church‘s egg-hunt extravaganza at Lincoln Park, usually the Saturday before Easter, has been the biggest one in West Seattle. We noticed when compiling information for the first list we published that it wasn’t mentioned anywhere on Eastridge’s website – neither for its West Seattle church nor its Eastside main campus. We asked Eastridge’s Heather Westad, who replied, “We are moving away from doing egg hunts this year and trying other things on Sunday morning during service. In West Seattle the kids will have a simple hunt during the service that ties in with the church gathering and other kids Easter activities.” So no Lincoln Park hunt this year, but so far our list has nine others, on March 28, April 3, and April 4 – see the lineup here.
P.S. For egg hunts after churches’ Easter services, see this list.
Story, photos, and video by Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
This afternoon, community members gathered at West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center to celebrate Tết Nguyên Đán, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. The event was hosted by the Trần Hưng Đạo foundation, the nonprofit group that operates the center.
To start off the event, the crowd was called to attention by emcee Thúy Nguyễn, with an explanation that 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, thought to represent energy, vitality, grace, and free spirit, and hopes tthat the horse would “bring you into the joyous year ahead. … May this year find you abound in good health and your family be blessed with luck, love, and prosperity!”
Then came a flag ceremony carried out by Vietnamese military veterans, raising the flag of South Vietnam and singing its anthem, after a salute to the U.S. flag. There was also a moment of silence to honor the fallen U.S. and Vietnamese service members from the Vietnam War.
After the conclusion of the ceremony, onlookers were invited to watch a lion dance performed by Vovinam Burien.
Appearances were made by two city councilmembers, Seattle’s Rob Saka and Tukwila’s Jane Ho, who provided short speeches and expressions of gratitude for being invited to the celebration.
(Center director Lee Bui with Councilmember Rob Saka)
Councilmember Saka – representing District 1 including West Seattle, South Park, SODO, Pioneer Square and Georgetown – took to the microphone first. He extended congratulations to fellow Councilmember Ho in light of her recent election, and added that as one of the few local elected officials of Vietnamese ancestry, her representation matters. He continued thanking volunteers from the foundation, including for their support of unhoused neighbors in the community.
Ho, a graduate of West Seattle High School and a newly elected member of the Tukwila City Council, followed. She affirmed Saka’s notion of representation by adding that it was an honor to be representing the Vietnamese community. She thanked the Bui family – center director Lee Bui and his daughter Lynda Bui – for enabling her to celebrate the Lunar New Year this afternoon.
At the conclusion of the speeches, attendees were invited to eat and socialize. An array of food was served outside, with some portions placed on the indoor altar to be shared with the ancestors.
Other aspects of the traditional altar were incense, flowers, fruit, as well as the five-color flag representing the five fundamental elements of the universe. Music ensued and some participants opted to sing karaoke while others ate. Celebrations were somewhat rushed this year, however, because of continuous rain.
Eventually, the center will have an indoor space in a building under construction on the property along SW Orchard west of Delridge Way. Lynda Bui said the building would serve as a retail front, with living spaces as well as a hall to support the cultural center. However, construction is currently on hold.
The Trần Hưng Đạo foundation’s next community event at the Vietnamese Cultural Center will honor the Trung Sisters on March 14. The sisters were integral in “raising an army to fight colonial oppression, earning them a place in history,” according to the Vietnamese Cultural Center website.
The Christmas season doesn’t end on December 25 .. and here’s a ton of proof.
Judy Pickens sent this followup about the results of one of this past season’s unique giving opportunities:
Results are in from the annual Festival of Trees at Fauntleroy Church – which continued into the first week of January – and they’re impressive.
The goal for the forest of 16 creatively decorated trees was to collect 1,500 “votes” of shelf-stable food items for area food banks. Those who came to enjoy the trees generously blew past that goal to give just over 2,000 items. West Seattle and White Center food banks were able to restock their shelves with a full ton of food from the project.
Three trees tied for the most votes:
Furry Friends – the Goldfines & the Mandts
Love in Many Languages – the Petty, Johnson & Harwood team
Year-Round Joy in Fauntleroy Park – Hazelwood Preschool (below)
We showed some of the trees in this early-December report, as well as in some of our daily event lists, as the trees were on display for visitation for about a month.
(Video of all paraders as it began)
Story, video, photos by Jason Grotelueschen and Tracy Record
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The “horse” that led the Not-So-Silent-Night Parade in Highland Park on New Year’s Eve served two purposes.
Not only did it honor the fact that 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, it also demonstrated that the parade has now spanned a generation: Former Highland Park Action Committee co-chair Billy Stauffer noted that his son Franklin was a baby in a front-pack during the first Not-So-Silent-Night Parade … and last night, he was under the front of the horse, leading the parade. That first parade was small but spirited, maybe 20 people. Last night, we counted more than 220, toting lanterns, wearing lights, blowing horns, shaking bells:
Before the crowd hit the streets, Highland Park Improvement Club‘s vice president Alex Wheeler and trustee Galen Van Horn said a few words about the group and its work, including their monthly “First Friday” events and how fundraising is going for HPIC’s new building – but first, a lively group photo:
Until the new HPIC building is complete and open, Highland Park Corner Store is the starting place for this parade.
From there, the group paraded through the neighborhood on the way to Riverview Playfield to celebrate the end of 2025, and to welcome the arrival of 2026 (complete with glowing luminarias) :
At Riverview, participants cheered on the lighting of two “sage comets” in honor of those dearly departed from us in 2025.
Organizers then served tasty treats and hot chocolate behind the dugout at the playfield:
On the way to Riverview, the group passed the HPIC construction site at 12th/Holden, with work well underway to replace the HPIC building that was gutted by a fire four-and-a-half years ago (see our WSB status update from mid-December).
If you’re thinking about joining the parade next year, note that it’s a one-mile one-way route from HPCS to Riverview, about half an hour – then up to you to find your way back to the starting point. To keep up with what HPIC is doing all year ’round, including the rebuilding project, see hpic1919.org.
That was just part of the crowd – likely 2,000+ strong – that ran into and out of Puget Sound all along Alki Beach at 10 am sharp. Biggest crowd yet, as estimated by some practiced eyes – the beach was full of scenes pre-swim that resembled tailgate parties. The food-donation bins put out by organizer Mark Ufkes and family were getting filled, too, adding an expression of giving spirit to the ever-more-popular occasion.
ADDED 11:50 AM: Mark and wife Lois Schipper, a longtime public-health professional now living with early-onset Alzheimer’s (as Mark mentioned in this year’s swim announcement), went into the water from mid-beach
(WSB photos from here by Dave Gershgorn)
But first he had to do the countdown!
Pre-plunge, Mark told WSB’s Jason Grotelueschen – who recorded the video above – that it’s amazing to see the community come out every year… this year the water temperature (mid-40s) was considerably warmer than the air temperature (mid-30s), which makes going in less shocking, “at least that’s the theory! But we never truly get used to it.” Going into 2026, he encouraged people to truly care for each other and encourage each other because “they need it more than we’ll ever know.” Many were there with friends, family, as Dave Gershgorn‘s next 12 photos for WSB show:
ADDED 12:55 PM: Other sights:
(WSB photo by Jason Grotelueschen)
No fewer than three mobile saunas were there – a microbusiness trend around here – as part of a group of wellness enterpreneurs who set up at and near the Bathhouse, along with the Alki Community Council, whose president Charlotte Starck and vice president Zak Nyberg walked the beach handing out mylar blankets – like the one modeled here by Alki Beach Pride‘s Stacy Bass-Walden:
(WSB photo by Tracy Record)
Shortly after arrival, we passed a family whose littlest member could be heard asking their parents, “Why are there hundreds of people?” We didn’t hear the answer but ultimately it could be – why not? Happy 2026!
(Reader photo, foggy New Year’s Eve at Solstice Park)
Welcome to 2026! We hope this info will be helpful on your New Year’s Day holiday:
WEATHER ALERT: Dense Fog Advisory this morning. Besides visibility challenges, beware of frosty streets.
BUSES: Metro‘s on the Sunday schedule. (Free rides were just for New Year’s Eve, so fares ARE being collected again as of a few hours ago.)
WATER TAXI: Not running today.
FERRIES: Weekend schedule on Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route – check for alerts here.
MORE TRANSPORTATION NOTES: No charge for street parking in areas of the city with pay stations … West Seattle-relevant traffic cameras are here; see all cameras citywide via this SDOT map.
COFFEE AND RESTAURANT/BAR HOURS: This year, we made lists, though closures for New Year’s are far fewer than for Christmas; open/closed coffee shops are listed here, open/closed restaurants/bars are here (scroll past the Christmas info to get to the New Year’s info).
GROCERY HOURS TODAY: A few changes today – our list is here.
NEW YEAR’S DAY WALKS: As they do every year, the Emerald City Wanderers are hosting New Year’s Day walks, starting at St John the Baptist Episcopal Church. The 5- or 10-kilometer walks are noncompetitive, starting between 8:30 and 11:30 am. There is no fee, though contributions to help cover costs are welcome. Hot soup will be available after the walks. St John’s is at 3050 California SW.
ALKI POLAR BEAR SWIM + FOOD DRIVE: You’re invited to join in the annual tradition of running into Puget Sound with more than a thousand others at 10 am sharp, from the beach across from Do Si BBQ, or really, anywhere along the sand – this year, bring a nonperishable-food donation if you can – here’s here’s our most-recent reminder.
OTHER THINGS TO DO: See our Event Calendar – the West Seattle Book Club‘s special holiday edition at 7 pm is a highlight!
OTHER NOTES: Seattle Parks closure info is here … Libraries (city and county) are closed … Solid-waste pickups are on one-day delay for the rest of the week.
If you see/hear news, please text/call 206-293-6302 – we appreciate your tips 24/7/365!
End of the year, end of the holidays, end of the long-running donation drives. Here are two that you can still show support for:
WINTER-CLOTHING DRIVE AT DAVE NEWMAN STATE FARM INSURANCE AGENCY: The annual warm-clothing drive at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency (3435 California SW; WSB sponsor) continues through today.
FOOD DRIVE AT FITNESS TOGETHER: At WSB sponsor Fitness Together in The Junction:
Fitness Together West Seattle will be having a food drive supporting Immanuel Community Services for the month of December! Please bring holiday items and non perishable items to our studio to help those in need!
Please drop items at our studio on the 2nd floor:
4546 California Ave SW
(Our entrance is in the Alley behind The Matador – Look for the green awning)
And remember that food-donation bins will be set up at Alki for tomorrow’s 10 am Polar Bear Swim – bring nonperishable food if you can.
Thanks to Steve Pumphrey for sending the photo! On New Year’s Eve, the Space Needle will put on a light show before the fireworks and drones, and those looking that way across Elliott Bay got a preview tonight. Here’s the official schedule for Wednesday night:
10:00 PM – Light-only pre-show (10-minute performance)
10:30 PM – Light-only pre-show (10-minute performance)
11:00 PM – Light-only pre-show (10-minute performance)
11:30 PM – Light-only pre-show (10-minute performance)
11:53 PM – Show begins
12:00 AM – Happy New Year!
12:09 AM – Show ends
If you don’t have, or don’t want to go out and find, a view of the Space Needle, you can watch it live via KING or KONG, as also explained here.
You still have an hour-plus to get over to Bear Island – the creativity hub in what used to be the Admiral Church basement – and help Lori Kothe and friends old and new celebrate Almost Day. You can even write up what almost happened to you this year – good, bad, otherwise – and hang it on the Almost Tree:
Or just have a baked potato – Lori says they bought 50 and still have some waiting for late drop-ins:
Lori had the “Almost Day” idea recently after learning about Bear Island – and she said its spirit inspired her to contribute an end-of-year gathering to help people connect, something so many are yearning to do in this otherwise-siloed, as evidenced by the turnout at the recent West Seattle Joiner Jamboree. So this is about as low-key a party as you’ll find, with some crafting, some chatting.
As we reported earlier this year. Bear Island is a “just show up and see what happens” kind of place; the old church marquee currently reads, “Maybe All Magic.” Until 9 pm, you can stop by, make a suncatcher or write down your “almost,” sit and chat or just sit and observe (and ask Lori about her backyard-bird book!).
Seattle Public Utilities’ policies/schedule regarding Christmas-tree disposal:
Customers can compost trees and holiday greens for free from December 26 – January 31! Remove all decorations, cut into sections 4-foot or less, and place trees or bundled greens next to your Food & Yard Waste cart on your regular collection day. Apartment residents may place up to two trees next to each Food & Yard waste cart at no charge. You can also drop off up to 3 trees less than 8 feet in length at a Transfer Station.
And also, a reminder that the “regular collection day” is disrupted for some again this week:
No change for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday pickup customers, but no collection on Thursday, so Thursday customers will get pickup on Friday, Friday customers will get pickup on Saturday. The transfer stations are closed on New Year’s Day too. So bottom line, you have until the end of January for free tree disposal – but if your tree is drying out, better to avoid fire risk by not letting it stay until it’s unsafe.
(Of course the Space Needle has fireworks and drones again. Above, January 1, 2019 photo by Robert Spears)
Just two days until New Year’s Eve. All the info we have is in our West Seattle Holiday Guide – including two big parties in The Junction:
MASQUERADE at Revelry Room/Jet City Labs (info here)
THE FINAL TOAST with West Seattle Supper Club at Phoenecia (info here)
We’ve also previewed West Seattle’s only NYE parade and NYE/NYD walks, plus of course the Alki Beach Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s morning. And we’ve even found a library branch celebrating 2026 twelve hours early.
What are we missing? Not too late to add. westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(WSB photo by Jason Grotelueschen from 2024 Not-So-Silent Night Parade)
If you’re still finalizing New Year’s Eve plans – or open to changing them – here are two ways to walk it out, so to speak, in West Seattle on Wednesday night, as featured in our Holiday Guide:
EMERALD CITY WANDERERS: This group is presenting its annual New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day walks in West Seattle. On New Year’s Eve, you can start from St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW; WSB sponsor) any time between 3:30 and 6:30 pm – in other words, choose your own start time – and head out on either a 5K or 10K route. Snacks and hot soup await you afterward. (And they’re offering two different routes for walkers on New Year’s Day too (departing between 8:30 am and 11:30 am). Free, but donations are appreciatedDetails are on the ECW website.
NOT-SO-SILENT-NIGHT PARADE: West Seattle’s only New Year’s Eve parade, starring you! Highland Park Improvement Club has been organizing this since the late ’00s. While their building site is in transition (here’s our recent update), the gathering place is Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW). All ages, all outfits; bring lanterns, noisemakers, hopes and dreams, and join the walk through nearby HP neighborhoods to bid 2025 farewell, starting at 6 pm. (We counted 100+ participants last year!)
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