(Festival performance schedule here * Pet parade/contest schedule here)

Big smiles not only from festivalgoers of all ages, but from the Morgan Community Association as this year’s Morgan Junction Community Festival gets under way in bright sunshine – one year after a relentless downpour ended things early. No chance today! And this year, the festival covers more ground than ever – from California/Graham (food trucks and the game “cornhole” behind the future home of The Bridge and behind the business building across Graham), to three sides of the California/Fauntleroy intersection (including where we are behind Feedback Lounge, with dozens of other businesses and vendors).

Southwest Precinct Community Police Team Officer Flores stopped by to offer a peek inside an SPD cruiser. Lots to look at and listen for; Bubbleman is performing in the park right now, and will be back at 4 pm – check whether he’s in the park or across California in the kid zone, when you get here. Lots of live music The kid zone, meantime (next to Washington Federal), is hosting one of the four food trucks here today:

Fez is West Seattle-based and newly launched. Lots of food options here today, including Morgan Junction’s year-round restaurants, many of which are sponsoring the festival, plus you can buy barbecued lunch at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) on the southeast corner of California/Fauntleroy – here are Michele and Reid from Thriftway with (at left) Cindi Barker from MoCA:

Today’s barbecue proceeds go to MoCA for next year’s festival; they should be grilling till about 4 pm.

12:51 PM UPDATE: Still lots of time to get here for the Bark of Morgan pet parade at 2 pm at the park (and competitions at 2:15 pm in the Washington Federal lot) – just might see Cooper there:

Cooper’s person is John Moore, whose Northwest Insurance Group (WSB sponsor) is located in Morgan Junction, in the new building on the northwest corner of California/Graham. Which is “paws” for another reminder – this is a sprawling festival, multiple venues across two-plus blocks, most NOT visible from California SW (except for what’s in the park), so don’t just pass by, walk or ride or drive and come wander both sides of California just north of Fauntleroy.

1:59 PM UPDATE: First candidate sighting at the festival, State Sen. Ed Murray.

His run for Seattle Mayor was endorsed last week by the 34th District Democrats, who also are boothing here at the festival – you’ll find them right behind Zeeks, next to the Full Tilt Ice Cream stand. This is a two-level area – about a dozen booths in the lot right behind the building, including Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) with their “West Seattle Chamber Business of the Year” banner, plus their trio making and selling duct-tape creations:

Next to Ventana you’ll see Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation and Madrid Frame; we’re across from them, next to Karen and Deb from the West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network. on the lower lot west of us, a dozen more booths, including everything from art to the West Seattle Democratic Women to Morgan Junction-relocated Super Supplements to a King County team with more information on the ongoing Combined Sewer Overflow control projects in the area.

Festival’s on till 7; Bark of Morgan dog-parade coverage coming up next. And thanks to all the awesome people who have stopped by to say hi and chat so far; glad to see everybody out on a sunny afternoon.

2:55 PM UPDATE: Video from the dog parade:

By the way, over at the kid zone by California Federal, there’s open-mike time, if you know any youth interested in performing, reading, etc. – last chance per the festival program is 6:15 pm. That’s also when the last band of the day will perform in the park – Matt the Hoopla, “an electrifying ’70s rock experience” – don’t miss ’em. Right now, the Tongan Choir is performing – sounds great from here, and we’ll be adding video later.

Though the music continues till 7, the booths usually pack up by 6, so if you’re thinking of coming down and checking out the vendors/organizations, don’t wait too much longer!

4:18 PM UPDATE: Chas Redmond, MoCA vice president and music-lineup organizer, stopped by – this year, as he reminded us, there’s a speaker pointed toward the vendor area so we can hear the music too. He is also putting together the music for the Alki Art Fair next month and says it’ll have more than 40 acts! Meantime, here’s the picture of the day:

That’s Rita Dixson from The Bridge, Gary Sink from Beveridge Place Pub, and Jeff Gilbert from Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), future semi-neighbors, once The Bridge remodels and moves into the ex-Chuck and Sally’s, a site which became part of the festival this year, for the first time. (Here’s our Friday story with new renderings for the draft concept of its future look.)

5:13 PM UPDATE: Some of our fellow boothers have started packing up; visits to the back lot here have slowed down. And we’ve just been told this area will clear out at 5:30. Music in the park continues, as promised. And so does the unofficial afterparty in the local restaurants/lounges, who will get their parking back once we’re out.

5:33 PM UPDATE: Before we pack up – just saw Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail, and chatted with her about the speaker series just wrapped up. She tells us TWT will be at West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction this year – so look for that chance to learn more about our local whales. We’ll be there in the information booth as usual; the dates this year are Friday-Sunday, July 12th-14th.

ADDED SUNDAY: In case you missed the closing band, ’70s-inspired Matt the Hoopla, here’s a sample:

Hope we’ll see you tomorrow at the Morgan Junction Community Festival (co-sponsored by WSB), 10:30 am-7 pm Saturday, in and around Morgan Junction Park (above), including the lot behind Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) and, across California, next to Washington Federal. We just confirmed a couple of updates: First, in addition to the Bite of Morgan food sampling at area restaurants, four food trucks are scheduled to be there, per Morgan Community Association president Deb Barker:

Fez on Wheels: Modern Middle Eastern Food – Bank parking lot

Waffle Wagon: Gourmet sweet & savory waffles – CPA parking lot

Fish Basket – Home of the Famous Fish Taco – CPA parking lot

Xplosive – Filipino & Vietnamese Fusion – Bridge parking lot

P.S. Fez on Wheels is West Seattle-based – we met its owner by chance last week. The “CPA parking lot” is the north side of California/Graham. On the south side of that intersection, “Bridge parking lot” means the old Chuck and Sally’s Tavern at California/Graham, future home of The Bridge, as first reported here last month. And it’s become a de-facto fourth location for tomorrow, since Deb adds: “Also at the Bridge parking lot, owner Rita Dixson will be hosting a ‘Corn Hole Derby’ and handing out water bottles!”

As for the rest of the festival – including the Bark of Morgan pet parade/contest and music/performance lineup – that’s all in our preview from earlier this week. See you there!

With the Morgan Junction Community Festival (co-sponsored by WSB) less than a week away, here’s an update on this free, one-day community event, including the performance schedule, with two shows by the famous Bubbleman, and open-mike spots for all ages. The festival is next Saturday (June 22nd) in the usual 3 spots just north of California and Fauntleroy: The lot west of Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), in Morgan Junction Park, and alongside Washington Federal on the other side of California. Browse the schedule here:

All well-behaved leashed dogs (over the age of 4 months) are invited to bring their owners and join the Pooch Parade and the Contests.

2:00 – Pooch Parade: A parade of pooches will line up starting at 2:00 pm north of the Morgan Junction Park on SW Eddy Street. Look for the signs. We will parade through Festival to the Washington Federal Bank Stage. Costumes are optional.

2:15 – Contests: Join us for the following contests:
1) Cutest Puppy (4 months up to 9 months),
2) Best Trick, and
3) Best Dog/Owner Look-Alike

First- and second-place contestants will be selected via the ‘audience applause meter’ as monitored by the MC and awarded commemorative medallions. All “Bark of Morgan” participants will receive a special prize.

Sponsors of the second “Bark of Morgan” are The Wash Dog (WSB sponsor), Pet Elements, and Stella Ruffington’s Doggy Playcare

Then there’s the Bite of Morgan – food samples from WSB sponsors Feedback Lounge, Zeeks Pizza, and Harry’s Chicken Joint, plus other participants Kokoras Greek Grill, Domino’s Pizza, and McDonald’s. Also, you can support festival finances by buying a freshly barbecued lunch at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), with proceeds donated to festival-presenting Morgan Community Association. A few food trucks plan to be there too – confirmation’s expected within a day or two. See you in Morgan Junction on Saturday!

If your community group or nonprofit would like some space during our area’s biggest festival of the year – Teri Ensley of Furry Faces Foundation has an invitation for you:

Furry Faces Foundation is pleased to be partnering with the West Seattle Junction Association in offering the FREE Community Tent at West Seattle Summer Fest – July 12, 13, and 14. The purpose of this area in the festival is to allow our small neighborhood non-profits and community groups easy access to the event and their community – free of charge! Did we mention free of charge?

Furry Faces Foundation is selecting the non-profits and community groups who strive to benefit our community and fit the spirit of our West Seattle neighborhoods.

Here are the Community Tent details:

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Note the promise on the poster for June 22nd’s Morgan Junction Community Festival:

If you went last year, you’ll remember why: That brought the first rainout in its history. Some of the activities happened despite the showers that were eventually followed by a long-running downpour (and then, too late to save the day, some sun):

That was the rain-dampened Bark of Morgan last year. For this year’s “rain or shine!” festival, the Morgan Community Association‘s bringing it back, hoping it’ll be in bright sunshine (as the festival has been OTHER years). There’ll be a pooch parade at 2 pm, followed at 2:15 by competitions for Cutest Puppy, Best Trick, Best Owner/Dog Lookalikes. Here’s the schedule (PDF).

Local eateries will participate again in the Bite of Morgan during the festival, and organizers have several food trucks lined up too. We’re still awaiting final word on that lineup and on the music schedule, but wanted to remind you for starters to save the date – Saturday, June 22, 10:30 am-7 pm in and around Morgan Junction Park (on the west side of California, half a block north of Fauntleroy). WSB is a festival sponsor again this year and we’ll be reporting “live,” so we look forward to seeing you there.

11:39 AM: Till 5 pm, Alki Avenue SW is off-limits to motorized vehicles – open curb to curb for walking and bicycling and skateboarding and more – between 56th SW and 63rd SW, for the annual “Summer Streets” celebration. As is usually the case, the weather in the early going isn’t terribly summery, but we have hopes of sunshine a bit later; bring a sweater for starters. Come say hi – we’re boothing this year, across from the alley between 61st and 62nd, in a row of booths with the West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs, West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network, and West Seattle Democratic Women. The big costumed bike parade is coming up at 1 pm – that’s a don’t-miss. Full activity map/schedule is here.

12:56 PM: The bike parade starts soon – and we’ve seen so many bikers (some in costume as invited!) go by our booth en route to the starting line, it’s going to be a sight to see! (added) And it was – here’s the start of the pack:

Celebrity parade starter: Tracy Dart, leader/namesake of the famous cancer-fighting-fundraising Team Tracy:

Dozens of bicycles later:

(Added – video!)

(back to original report) We hear Mayor McGinn joined in the ride – will add a photo if we find him in any of ours. Back at 63rd SW, starting line of the parade, DIY Bikes is helping riders with tune-ups, repairs, and general advice – go check ’em out.

1:37 PM: We finally caught up with the mayor to confirm that was him. Shortly thereafter, Eric stopped by our booth to share his photo of the mayor meeting his son Ike:

(The mayor stopped by our booth later and explained that he enjoys showing kids the correct way to shake hands. If anybody’s going to be well-schooled in that, it’s a politician! Ike’s dad also verifies that the mayor offered a lesson. Ike, by the way, is a 10-year-old Holy Rosary student.)

Meantime – either we’re getting used to it, or it’s starting to warm up. Everything continues till 5, so lots of time for you to come check it out. Zumbathon coming up at 2!

2:18 PM: Local singer Sarey Savy (video above) was onstage before the Zumbathon, which is being led by local instructor Jennifer Cepeda. Even the youngest participants were having fun:

3:17 PM: The sun is finally out! As one more photo from the Zumbathon verifies:

Just now adding some photos from the past hour or so. Here’s the legendary Bubbleman:

If you haven’t come to Alki yet today, this is the time … at the very least, come have fun walking in the middle of the street. Or, of course, riding – and on the side of the road, learn about safety with folks from groups including West Seattle Bike Connections:

4:41 PM: And so quickly – the clouds have moved back in, and Summer Streets is wrapping up. More photos/video to be added once we’re back at HQ.

After a one-year hiatus, the Arts in Nature Festival at Camp Long really will be back this year, the West Seattle-based Nature Consortium affirmed in an announcement this afternoon. Dates are set, and so is the headliner – read on for the news release:

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(WSB photo from 2011 West Seattle Summer Fest)
Nowthat it’s almost April, July is right around the corner – really! Here’s a heads-up from Susan Melrose at the West Seattle Junction Association:

Hi West Seattle!

West Seattle Summer Fest 2013 is July 12, 13 and 14. We’ll bring back all the great stuff that our neighborhood loves.

And that includes local businesses! West Seattle retailers and restaurants are encouraged to sign up as a vendor. We are reviewing the first round of applications on April 1st. This festival fills up quickly so if you’d like to participate, submit your application by Monday, April 1st. Apply at westseattlefestival.com.

Producing this event is a large undertaking and sponsors are needed to help make it possible. If you’re interested in becoming a Summer Fest sponsor, please e-mail susan@wsjunction.org for details.

This year, we’ll have a local non-profit coordinate the Community Tent where our small neighborhood organizations can have shifts of free space at the festival. Stay tuned for details.

(WSB photo from West Seattle Summer Fest ’11)
Yes, it’s technically winter, as this morning’s icy windshields reminded us. But the sunshine also stirs daydreams of spring and summer, and West Seattle’s wonderful annual events. Here are three that are already signing up vendors/exhibitors/etc.:

SEATTLE SUMMER STREETS ON ALKI, MAY 19TH: Once again this year, after the West Seattle 5K closes Alki and Harbor Avenues 9 am-11 am, a shorter stretch of Alki SW will remain closed to motorized vehicles the rest of the day for Seattle Summer Streets, till 5 pm. SDOT is soliciting sponsors, vendors, exhibitors, and activities; apply online here.

WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST, JULY 12-13-14: Vendor and music applications for The Junction’s annual festival are linked from the right side of its home page.

ALKI ART FAIR, JULY 20-21: Artist/vendor applications are available – find the links here.

(13-month-old Nathan Boggs, photographed on Sunday by Nick Adams for WSB)
In our two reports here on WSB – “as it happened” coverage and post-event photo gallery – plus Facebook and Twitter updates, we showed you how successful the first-ever Junction Harvest Festival was, in many ways. The West Seattle Junction Association agrees it was spectacular, writes director Susan Melrose, in a note to say “thanks”:

The Junction Association was thrilled and amazed by the success of the Harvest Festival. What a day filled with smiles, friends, and fun. Our community embraced this event and each aspect flourished. I LOVED the parade led by the WSHS Marching Band! The best part is that this event made so many in our community happy and gave folks yet another reason to get together. When the Junction Association’s board decided to expand this event, the #1 goal was to give the neighborhood something great. I’m glad that we succeeded.

Big thank you to the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance for bringing the Harvest, community groups for bringing truly awesome activities, our volunteers for helping make it happen, and the businesses in The Junction who have made all this possible. Thanks to all who came and brought their energy, smiles and laughter.

Cheers to the First Annual Harvest Festival!

Susan Melrose
Junction Association Director

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Report #1, as-it-happened coverage with photos plus parade video, is here)

Thousands thronged The Junction on Sunday for its first-ever Harvest Festival – melding the West Seattle Farmers’ Market with business-district trick-or-treating. We covered it “live” as it unfolded over four hours, but there’s more to show, in these two-dozen-plus photos by WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams. Above, 4-year-old Joseph Cho (“The Flash”) awaits fruit in a market booth. Next, hay was a playground for a little dinosaur, 11-month-old Noah Wootton, and friends:

Grownups and pets got into the spirit too:

That’s Jim Rogers with Olaf, who is masquerading as Al Capone. 19 more festival scenes, ahead:
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10:41 AM: The sun is out for the start of the first-ever West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival – with lots of people already out and about to enjoy the special middle-of-the-street Farmers’ Market, plus homemade carnival-style activities like pumpkin bowling (above), at our booth with WestSide Baby and West Seattle Bowl (dubbed WSB X 3) on the east side of California/Alaska. You’ll find art by Curious Kidstuff:

And the Community School of West Seattle is here with chickens and a turkey!

20-plus organizations and businesses are offering activities – and right in the heart of Walk-All-Ways, get your questions answered by Farmers’ Market folks – we loved the corncob hat:

Lots of costumed kids and adults out already – and we’re still just under an hour away from the costume parade leaving Junction Plaza Park at 11:30 am, followed by trick-or-treating noon-2 pm – and 2 is when the festival ends, so get down here fast.

More coverage to come!

11:24 AM UPDATE: The costume parade is about to start – the WSHS Marching Band has been warming up, and we discovered that someone who has a lot of experience with parades – Jim Edwards, co-coordinator of the West Seattle Grand Parade – is helping this one get off on the right foot. (The parade looped all the way around the festival site – here’s Jim on his motorcycle:)

And part of the band:

And the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Junior Court:

(added) Video of the parade as it began from Junction Plaza Park:

12:25 PM UPDATE: Hour and a half to go – didn’t think it was possible, but there are even more people here now. Costume-watching continues:

And the Batmans helping each other across the street:

Costumed grownups as well as kids. We’ll have parade video later as well as a second roundup of photos beyond the ones we manage to get into this as-it-happened narrative. Come down and hang out with your neighbors! Also check out the RE/MAX Haunted House over on 44th – which has been drawing lines:

1:30 PM UPDATE: Half an hour to go. So many people have come by the booth – pumpkin-bowling, asking questions about WestSide Baby, saying hi, picking up West Seattle Bowl coupons – thank you! (And if you’re still here or stopping by before 2, we have some of our free WSB ice-scrapers left to give away.) The crowd has been terrific. But the weather’s turned cloudy and cooler, so our respite from the rain might only last as long as the festival …

2:04 PM UPDATE: Starting to fold up – the streets have to be cleared so they can reopen within a couple hours. We will have at least one more report later with lots more photos, and parade video. Thanks to everybody who came to the festival – and all the volunteers/businesses/organizations who made the fun activities happen and provided treats, free.

ADDED: A community-contributed photo – Lisa Secord sent this photo of her 11-year-old son, Brendan Lancaster, dressed as “Great Granny” – she reports the reactions were priceless:

One more business-district trick-or-treat event – Westwood Village, 5-7 pm on Halloween.