By Joe Veyera
The heart of Ballard is going to the fish this weekend, as the 40th annual Ballard SeafoodFest takes over Northwest Market Street this Saturday and Sunday.
From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, the free event — produced by the Ballard Chamber of Commerce — will feature dozens of food, arts & crafts, non-profit, and sponsor vendors.
Bands from Seattle and Portland will take to the Ballard Avenue mainstage, with funk band Eldridge Gravy and the Court Supreme capping things off on Saturday night starting at 8:30 p.m., with the American folk rock sounds of Sallie Ford finishing things off on Sunday at 6 p.m.
Now in its second year, the Ballard BeerFest will have plenty of nanobrews, microbrews, and the best beers from Ballard and around the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, Ballard Commons Park will play host to a new addition to this year’s fest on Saturday afternoon from 3 to 9 p.m. The Ballard Skate Festi-Bowl will include skateboarding instruction, a slalom event, a kids skate exhibition, and a competition in the Ballard Commons Bowl.
For the younger crowd, most activities will be at Ballard Commons Park, including the family stage, which will have music and performances from noon to 5 p.m. each day.
Of course, SeafoodFest wouldn’t be complete without the classic salmon barbecue at 22nd Avenue Northwest and Northwest 56th Street., where for $12 attendees can get alder-smoked salmon, garlic bread, cole slaw, and a drink.
For more information on SeafoodFest, including a full list of vendors, click here.
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don’t forget – free public parking in front of stewart marine on shilshole ave!
No need for parking. Ballard is a car-free neighborhood.
Ballard would be an awesome car free neighborhood if the Missing Link of the Burke Gilman Trail was completed. But it isn’t, in large part due to the actions of the Ballard Business Appellants, which include the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, who is sponsoring this event. And the touted Salmon Barbecue is chaired by another member of the BBA, Warren Aakervik from Ballard Oil. I personally will be boycotting this event for these reasons, and I hope that others will too.