Here Comes the Sun

Summer doesn’t really kick off around here until July 5th, of course, but that doesn’t stop our neighbors over in Fremont from celebrating the summer solstice in June of every year.  This year’s Solstice Parade takes place on Saturday 6/18.

Here’s a run down of some key Solstice festivities in Fremont & Wallingford:

• Parade Volunteers needed: Fremont Arts Council is still recruiting parade volunteers, particularly Parade Monitors.  Learn more about volunteer opportunities here.
• Friday night float move: Leaving the Powerhouse at dusk, volunteers will move all the floats to the parade start location.  Solstice Director Leslie Zenz says they drape the floats (and themselves!) in twinkly lights & move the floats through Fremont.  Great photo ops.
• Cyclists’ body painting party: Saturday morning, there’s a naked painted cyclists’ painting party.  The exact location hasn’t yet been announced, but it’s usually in Ballard.  Go here for more info & to sign up to receive email updates.
• Zombie Attack! Meet at 10am at the Fremont Troll, then feast on parade-goers all day. Deets available on Facebook here.
• PARADE! Noon.  Just follow the crowds, or learn more here.  Roads close at 11am, when the chalk fairies begin to flit about.
• Gas Works Park Solstice Festival:  I’ve been to a couple of these in the past, and they were sort of lame so I haven’t been back in a while.  But Solstice Director Leslie Zenz promises that the festival has been “amped up” and will be a total blast this year.  Starts at 1pm at Gas Works, just follow the parade. Expect art installations, live music, a beer garden, and about 50 floats parked in a chaotic heap.  Learn more here.  P.S.  Don’t try to park down there at the park.  You’ll either get towed, or blocked in by floats as they leave the parade… which could render your car useless until at least Monday.
• Fremont Fair: Saturday 10-8, and Sunday 11-6.   Don’t miss the art cars.  Learn more here.

Also we’re delighted to mention filming of the documentary, Beyond Naked, which is being directed by local film maker Dan McComb.  The lighthearted documentary will follow four first-time naked cyclists in the 2011 Solstice Parade, and document their experience.  Since I’m never going to ride naked myself, I look forward to watching the four newbies in the film.  Fundraising is still needed to complete the film.  To help out, click here.