SeafoodFest 2013 to take over Ballard this weekend

The time has come for mayhem in the form of fish, brews and music: SeafoodFest is this weekend, set to take over the streets of Ballard all weekend long. Things get started tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. and go until 9 p.m., and Sunday’s festivities will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Photo from last year’s festival

BeerFest

In addition to the scores of food stands and nonstop music, there’s something new this year – the Ballard BeerFest. They’ll set it up at Ballard Ave and 22nd Ave NW, and will feature microbreweries, including Ballard’s own Hilliards, Populuxe, NW Peaks, Bad Jimmy’s, Hales, and plenty other Northwest and Seattle beers. BeerFest is open at 12 noon each day, closing at 9 on Saturday and 7 on Sunday.

Music & Events

With three stages, there will be plenty of music and performances to check out at SeafoodFest. The Bergen Place Live stage will have some fun activities for the public to watch and/or participate in, including yoga on Saturday at 11 a.m., a lutefisk eating contest at 1 p.m., oyster shucking and eating contest and more.

At the Ballard Ave Main Stage, you’ll find bands such as the Horde and the Harem, Kithkin, Ayron Jones & The Way, and Bobby Bare Jr. The Ballard Commons Family Stage is curated by Allan Hirsch, aka Alleyoop!, a veteran of the children’s performance scene for over 30 years. There will be activities and performances for families and kids, including puppet shows, stories, dancing and music.

Traffic Information

Traffic promises to pose a challenge over the weekend, as several streets will be closed for the festival. According to the Seattle Department of Transportation, the following streets will be closed from 12:01 a..m. Saturday to 11 p.m. on Sunday: NW Market St between 20th Ave NW and 24th Ave NW; 22nd Ave NW between Ballard Ave and NW 58th St; Ballard Ave between NW Market and NW Vernon Place; Leary Ave NW between NW Market and 20th Ave NW. They expect 25,000 in attendance and congestion around the area.

The My Ballard team will be out and about taking photos of the event, but if you’d like to send us your favorite shots, email us at tips@myballard.com.