SeafoodFest to take over Ballard this weekend

Meghan Walker Ballard

Tomorrow kicks off the first day of the 45th annual SeafoodFest, happening in downtown Ballard all weekend long, July 12-14.

Friday night will start with free live music on the mainstage at Ballard Ave and 22nd Ave NW with #All4Doras playing at 7pm and Nite Wave taking the stage at 7:45pm. The beer garden will be open throughout the evening.

Nite Wave playing at last year’s SeafoodFest

Saturday there are a plethora of events, starting with the Run Like a Viking 5k starting from the National Nordic Museum at 9am.

Over 60 vendors will be set up along NW Market St, with favorites such as Alaskan King Crab legs, Alder-smoked salmon, and Penn Cove mussels.

The 6th annual Festi-Bowl skateboarding contest is happening on Saturday at the Ballard Commons skate park. Put on by Skate Like a Girl, the Festi-Bowl will include some beginner’s lessons, the Sidewalk Slalom comp, a new 360 contest, youth bowl events, a women’s division comp and an open contest. The skating will be happening all day, from 10am to 8pm.

And, of course, the famous Lutefisk Eating Contest will be on Saturday, starting at 3pm at Bergen Place. They’ll take the first 10 brave contestants to sign up — here’s the registration page.

There will be games happening up and down Ballard Ave behind the mainstage on Saturday — on Sunday the area will host the weekly Ballard Farmer’s Market.

On both Saturday and Sunday, the Kid’s Deck will be happening at Ballard Commons with Pirate Yoga, bouncy houses, a giant slide, a magic show, improv and dance parties.

The live music will also continue all weekend on Ballard Ave — here’s the full line-up.

Parking will certainly be a challenge during the festival — consider walking, biking, or busing to Ballard.

12 thoughts to “SeafoodFest to take over Ballard this weekend”

  2. This means people driving like A-holes through the side streets, again, this year. Why aren’t there more shuttles and cops? Why is it people think they should go so damn fast up my street off of 65th??? Gets worse every year too.

    1. You should really try some of that fancy new legal weed the kids are talking about these days…. or move to the country… either way…

      1. that is soooo helpful! thank you for your astounding contribution, Freja! its because of totes awesome people like you that our community thrives and grows – you are an invaluable asset.

        1. I mean Freja made a sarcastic reply to a substance-less comment and then you sarcastically responded to that. Figured I’d keep the chain going!

  3. “On both Saturday and Sunday, the Kid’s Deck will be happening at Ballard Commons with Pirate Yoga, bouncy houses, a giant slide, a magic show, improv and dance parties.”

    Anyone been to the Ballard Commons lately? The geniuses at Seattle Parks and Rec decided to rip the park up for the Portland Loo on the busiest weekend of the year in Ballard.

    Hey kids, enjoy fighting it out with the drug zombies for the few feet of park left that aren’t behind orange or black fencing.

    2. Meanwhile, thousands of people will be enjoying the park while you sit in your room, with the shades mostly drawn, scowling at all the people enjoying themselves despite your delusional belief that we live in some post-apocalyptic dystopia.

      If only they could hate everything about life like yourself!

      1. Nope. I’ll be out there enjoying. Just don’t understand why they would do all the construction in the park the weekend of the largest event. But why should we question our public leaders? Right? Everything is wonderful and we should just accept problems we see and just live with it.

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