Tomorrow evening, it begins: The first-ever West Seattle Beer and Music Festival, four sessions over three days at the Alki Masonic Center in The Junction (4736 40th SW). Here are the highlights at a glance:

That’s just part of what’ll be offered. As the organizers explain, “Our goal is to provide craft beer drinkers with an amazing selection of unique beers so they can discover new and old favorites. … Not only will there be craft beer, the festival will feature ‘Sips and Bites’ from our local culinary stars pairing up with festival brewmasters and funky local bands & Dj’s keeping us movin’.” It’s a “cashless” festival – food and drink tokens are included in the ticket prices; see the options here – including VIP levels if you’re interested – for the Friday night, Saturday afternoon, Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon sessions. Sunday, you can bring your dog(s)! All three days are 21+

P.S. The featured breweries are listed here.

Got your ticket(s) yet for the first-ever West Seattle Beer and Music Festival? It’s now one week away! The festival spans Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, presented by local organizers at the Alki Masonic Center in The Junction (4736 40th SW). We have more information today about its highlights, including the music lineup, which the WSBMF team describes as “based on soul and funk”:

Also:

The Sips and Bites schedule is a great lineup of WS restaurants paired up with festival breweries for a pop-up food and beer pairing.

*VIP Showcase Sip and Bites Pairing features Raccolto restaurant and Deschutes Brewery Friday night

*Saturday Day VIP Showcase: Admiral Bird sweet and savory waffles and the WS Taprooms (Beer Junction, Ounces Taproom, and Beveridge Place ) and their surprise brewery!

*Saturday night VIP Showcase: Hitchcock Deli in Georgetown and Urban Family Brewing!

Friday night also features
*B’s Po Boy and Hellbent Brewing Company
*Arthurs and Machine House Brewery

Saturday day session also includes
*Matador and Modern Times Beer
*Roxbury Lanes and Rainier Brewery
*Full Tilt Ice Cream and Ten Pin Brewing

Saturday night session also includes
*The Point and Mac and Jacks
*West Seattle Bowl and pFriem Family
*Pesos Caribbean Food and Seattle-Lite Brewery

The festival also will feature the Barrel Lounge – “an incredible list of breweries and Barrel-Aged Beers and Library Beers” – as well as the Spirits Lounge, “a collaboration of four WS restaurants and four spirits,” each pairing resulting in one specialty cocktail. And did we mention that Sunday is “Dog Day,” including the CityDog Magazine Cover Dog Search? Organizers also want you to know, “If you purchase a ticket to Friday or Saturday sessions, that gives you free re-entry on Sunday, but you must have your bracelet and glass for re-entry!” There’s more to say but we’ll have to save it for another preview this weekend. Or – you can go explore the West Seattle Beer and Music Festival website right now, and buy your ticket(s) online too.

We’ve obtained even more advance info about SPF30 – the 30th-anniversary party for Sub Pop Records – at Alki Beach this Saturday, noon-10 pm. We mentioned a couple well-known local vendors in our previous preview – now, the full list of who and what you’ll find:

Food Trucks

Dumpling Tzar
Ezell’s
Falafel Salam
Full Tilt Ice Cream
Grilled Cheeze Experience
Kiss My Grits
Little Yellow Food Truck / El Chapulin Oaxaqueno
Marination
Nosh Food
Rain City Hot Dogs
Skillet
Soda Jerk
Tat’s Deli
Thai U Up
Where Ya At Matt

Vendors

C & P Coffee
Husky Deli Ice Cream
Landscapes Cafe

SPF30 Retail Booth vendors

Alki Elementary PTA (face painting, etc.)
Barsuk Records
Caspar Babypants
Goatfish Board Game (West Seattle company)
K Records
Light in the Attic
Motley Zoo
Scarecrow Video
School Of Rock
She Shreds
Sublime Frequencies
SWSHS

Flatstock – poster sale
Poster artists:

Andrew Saeger
Barry Blankenship
Chelsea Wirtz
Eric Carnell
Kelsey Gallo
Mike Klay
Nichole Thompson
Rebecca Pirowitz
Shogo Ota
Victor Melendez

SPF30 Non-Profit Table List (Alki Avenue)

Advice Booth w/ Galeet & Geri
AEG/Bumbershoot
Historic Seattle
Puget Soundkeeper
Skate Like A Girl
Southwest Seattle Historical Society
STG Youth & Community Outreach programs
Totem Star
Vera Project
(added) Village of Hope/Black Prisoners Caucus
Washington Bus
Washington Ceasefire
West Seattle Helpline
Yes to SCS
YouthCare

Other helpful info:
–Transportation/transit/parking/road closures
–Band lineup/set times
–KEXP‘s streaming plans

Anything you still want to know? We’re planning at least one more preview before Saturday arrives.

Now we’re four days away from Sub Pop Records‘ big SPF30 anniversary celebration at Alki Beach – noon-10 pm Saturday (August 11th), with four stages of music (here’s the schedule as announced last month). This afternoon, the final details of how to get there and back, and how to get around the Alki area even if you’re not going. The map above and info below were just made public by Sub Pop:

At this time, we’d like to share important details regarding street closures, public transportation schedules, parking and more.

Firstly and foremostly, PLEASE limit the number of cars coming in and out of West Seattle, don’t drive unless you really have to, and instead use some form of public transportation to get to SPF30!

BUSES
King County Metro Transit has increased frequency for the Route 50 (Alki Service) to operate every 15 minutes.

In addition, the RapidRide C-Line has a couple of extra buses to assist with any overloaded buses, primarily while event-goers leave the Alki Beach area.

WATER TAXI
The King County Water Taxi between downtown Seattle and West Seattle is adding an extra boat with extra runs and extending hours of service.

In addition to the MV Doc Maynard running its regular Saturday service, the Water Taxi plans on running an extra boat (the MV Sally Fox) on the West Seattle route from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 7:30 p.m. 11:30 p.m. These times are when we expect most people to be traveling to, and returning from, the event.

We strongly encourage you to purchase your Water Taxi tickets in advance. You can do so through the Transit GO app. Or use your ORCA card, for a reduced fare!

SHUTTLES
Three free shuttles will run within West Seattle throughout SPF30.
From…
1. SW Alaska St. & 44th Ave. SW at the Metro stop
2. SW Admiral Way and SW Waite St.
3. Harbor Ave. SW in front of Don Armeni Boat Ramp
…to SPF30 at Alki Beach and back.

There will be at least one accessible shuttle for patrons with disabilities on each of these routes.

BIKES & BIKE SHARES
There will be a Bike Corral located at the tennis courts at Whale Tail Park operated by Bike Works.

There will also be bike shares at some strategic locations as well as staged throughout West Seattle. Look for bikes at these locations:

1. Alaska Junction
2. Admiral Junction
3. Port of Seattle Lot
4. Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal
5. Spokane St. Park and Ride
6. Water Taxi

LYFT/UBER
Uber and Lyft will be managing the road closures for the festival in app. It will be best to catch a ride to and from the shuttle stops at the Alaska Junction and in the Admiral Neighborhood

There will be Lyft signage up at the Lyft Pickup/Drop-off zones.

PARKING
Once more, with feeling: please do not drive to SPF30. But, if you must, please carpool, designate a driver and know that we will have a parking lot. The parking fee will be $20. Credit/debit cards and cash are acceptable forms of payment. Location is the 2500 block of Harbor Ave SW across from the 7-11.

From this lot you can either walk approx. 4 min. to Don Armeni Boat Ramp to catch a free shuttle, or rent a bike and ride the Alki Trail to the festival.

The parking lot closes at midnight on the day of the festival (Sat., Aug. 11). Unclaimed vehicles will be towed by noon the next day. Please no Rideshare vehicles.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING
We have accessible parking spots reserved exclusively for patrons with disabilities in two locations. We ask that you display your placard/hang tags when parking. Please note these spots will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

1. On 63rd Ave SW between Admiral Way and Alki Ave SW
2. On Alki Ave SW between 54th Ave SW and 56th Ave SW

Accessible parking hang tags/placards will get you through local access street closures to these parking spots.

ROAD CLOSURES
Alki Ave SW will be closed between 56th Ave SW and 63rd Ave SW.
59th Ave SW will be closed from SW Stevens St. to Alki Ave SW.

There will be a local-access-only closure on Harbor Ave SW at California Way SW. Traffic will be turned back down Harbor Ave SW or diverted up California Way SW.

There will be lots of other local-access-only closures from SW Admiral Way down to Alki Ave SW, as well as a local-access-only closure at Bonair SW and Sunset Ave SW.

There will be festival staff and SPD helping to direct traffic at all of these closures.

You have a little more time to go browse at the beach as the 2018 Alki Art Fair (co-sponsored by WSB) continues until 6 pm. More than 80 artists, plus two stages of music:

That’s COCO, performing on the main stage (east of Alki Bathhouse) when we stopped by earlier this afternoon (trivia from fair staff, we’re told the band members all work for Starbucks). Here’s the full music schedule; here’s our preview from earlier this week with the artist/vendor list; here’s our Saturday coverage. You can still catch the shuttle to/from the fair (which is all along the beach boardwalk, Alki Avenue SW between 59th and 64th) until 6:30 – details on the AAF website.

(WSB file photo)

Here in the heart of summer, waves of big events just keep rolling on … and another one is up next weekend: The 2018 Alki Art Fair! This will be the 21st annual AAF – if you’ve never been, here’s how it’s described by organizers: “Alki Beach will come alive with art booths, children’s art activities, food carts, live music and performances, and the very popular silent auction held in the historic Alki Bathhouse. The Fair features juried art on display and for sale by local Puget Sound artists, while a line-up of talented musicians and performers entertain from four stages, morning till night.” Official Alki Art Fair hours (on the boardwalk by and west of Alki Bathhouse) will be 10 am-6 pm next Saturday and Sunday (July 28-29), with music until 9 pm on Saturday. Bonus for getting there: A free shuttle from the park-and-ride under the bridge, as explained here. We’re proud to be an Alki Art Fair co-sponsor again this year; we’ll have another update with artist and music info as next weekend gets closer!

(West Seattle Summer Fest 2018 photo by Paul Weatherman)

On this third day after West Seattle Summer Fest 2018, the Junction Association – the merchants’ organization that presents the festival – is ready for your feedback and suggestions! The official Summer Fest survey is online (as well as a note about how last year’s feedback shaped changes for this year). There’s an incentive to answer it, too – drawing for a West 5 (WSB sponsor) gift card – or you can be completely anonymous. Just go here!

P.S. If you need a refresher before responding to the survey, you can scroll through all our Summer Fest coverage in the WSB “West Seattle festivals” archive.

(QUICK INFO: Bus reroutes here … Festival music schedule here … festival food options here … kids’ ride hours and pricing here)
(COVERAGE SO FAR: Saturday night music, here … Saturday evening, here … Saturday morning/afternoon, here … Friday night, with music, here … Friday evening, here … Friday morning/afternoon, here)

West Seattle Summer Fest‘s third and final day is officially under way! The question of the day so far – “where’s the Farmers’ Market?” As seen in our top photo, it’s in its old spot in the parking lot behind KeyBank – same hours as every week, 10 am-2 pm – if you’re trying to enter off SW Alaska, just look for the gap between the kids’ rides, on the alley.

Even if you’ve already been to the festival – today’s the day to come back and take another look, or do some things you missed on your first tour. Such as – support local nonprofits! More than a few of them are selling raffle tickets – including the West Seattle Helpline, West Seattle Food Bank, and the quilters who are donating raffle proceeds from this creation to the Senior Center of West Seattle:

(WSB photo taken Friday)

The crowd has grown quickly today – maybe because it’s expected to be extra-hot later – so far, though, nice breeze! Mainstage music (California north of Oregon) starts at noon, with Rat City Brass. More coverage to come!

12:19 PM: Another place to find out about, and support, some of your local nonprofits/community groups – GreenLife, headquartered at Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska), where they have a few T-shirts left:

Sustainable West Seattle presents GreenLife, where you can find out about the West Seattle TimeBank, Metro buses, registering to vote, recycling, using solar power, and more, via these booths along SW Alaska east of California:

Diver Laura‘s virtual-reality look under the Salish Sea is not to be missed, either – get to GreenLife!

Back in other booth rows, it’s a great day to learn about your local businesses (and pick up some swag). HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) is right across from us in the heart of California/Alaska and has several freebies including discs.

Meantime, up at the mainstage, we caught a bit of the zesty Rat City Brass:

At California/Alaska, the Celtic dancers are expected to be back around 1. More coverage to come.

1:37 PM: They were, and it was a lively performance:

Comerford has regular sessions in West Seattle – e-mail celticartsnw@hotmail.com for info. Summer Fest isn’t just about being a spectator – you can participate too! The Giant Games continue up on the north side of California/Oregon, where you can also help paint the community mural. You can also stop by the Info Tent and ask us a question. Minutes ago: “I know Easy Street Records is famous, but WHY is it so famous?” (Our answer was long.)

3 PM: Only two hours left till the festival closes for another year – right now on the SW corner of California/Alaska, it’s the kids’ pie-eating contest.

(Junction Association executive director Lora Swift interviewing the contestants pre-contest)

Passing the Info Tent a few minutes ago, this cool canine:

Don’t miss the chance to contribute to the community mural before the festival ends – on California just north of Oregon:

The West Seattle Junction Association – the local merchants who put this festival on! – will hang the finished mural in a public space. Meantime, many of the sidewalk sales (did you know Summer Fest has its roots in a Junction-wide summer sidewalk sale?) are offering discounts – like the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop (west side of California between Alaska and Oregon), where these potted plant creations were just $4!

Some of the vendor booths are West Seattle merchants visiting from their storefronts. Longtime WSB sponsor Dream Dinners is based on the east outer side of Jefferson Square, and has a Summer Fest booth on the east side of California south of Alaska:

If you haven’t used Dream Dinners before, you can sign up for their open-house deal, for 6:30 pm Tuesday (July 17th) or August 7th – password dinner – make three dinners for $34.99!

3:25 PM: A bit of video from one of this afternoon’s bands:

Onstage coming up at 4 pm – The Dusty 45s rock Summer Fest 2018 to a close.

4 PM: It’s that time! Co-publisher is up catching the start of The Dusty 45s. Meanwhile, Paul Weatherman sent more great aerials:

That’s the heart of the festival – here’s what it looked like from above the Farmers’ Market and kid zones on the west edge of the festival a bit earlier:

When the festival officially ends at 5, the cleanup/breakdown begins, and the streets generally remain closed to traffic until it’s over hours later – but everything will be back to normal by early Monday morning. Remember that NEXT Saturday, California SW is closed again for the West Seattle Grand Parade, until early afternoon – here’s our most-recent preview.

4:30 PM: A taste of The Dusty 45s:

We don’t start packing up until the top of the hour but right across Walk-All-Ways from us is a sign the festival’s wrapping up – the QFC booth (water, coconuts, fruit skewers all weekend) is in cleanup mode.

Big thanks to everyone who’s been in the Info Tent all weekend – it’s our 11th year of being headquartered here and helping answer questions while covering the festival as it happens – lots of great volunteers have been here, as well as The Junction’s event staff (special shoutout to “Skaty” and producer Oliver Little‘s Monumental Undertaking).

5 PM: It’s a wrap! Thanks also to the thousands who made this a mega-party again this year.