Old Ballard hosting Honk Fest West tonight

You can expect quite the show in Old Ballard tonight as Honk Fest West returns with “radical marching bands” from 5 states and Canada. “The streets, cafes, & pubs of Ballard and Georgetown will be overflowing with the lively sound of horn players and drummers from more than a dozen street bands,” explains the website, which lists events at The Sunset, Conor Byrne, Bop Street Records and the Chai House.

Sounds like a blast. But last year, some of the bands decided to march up and down Ballard Ave., keeping some nearby residents awake. “I’ve lived on Ballard Ave. for 5 years. I’ve seen, heard and put up with just about everything — and I wouldn’t trade living here for the world — but this is the WORST!” wrote one My Ballard reader last year. Tonight’s event begins at 7 p.m.