Solstice Parade 2023

The Fremont Solstice Parade which, more than anything else around here, marks the start of summer, takes place this Saturday. The parade is just one of the events comprising the Fremont Fair, produced as usual by the Fremont Arts Council, which will keep you entertained all weekend.

Parade

The parade route differs a bit this year from last year. Starting at 2pm Saturday at 3rd Ave NW and Leary, the parade will wend its way along 36th to Fremont Ave. There, the route heads south to 34th before ending up near Fremont Brewing. (Last year, it turned west on 34th rather than east.) In years past, the parade ended at Gas Works Park, but now the parade and Fremont Fair is entirely contained to Fremont although rumor has it that the naked bicyclists may muster at Gas Works. In addition to naked bicyclists, expect plenty of giant puppets, bands, floats, dancers and street musicians.

And let’s not forget about our canine companions. They have their own parade Sunday at 2pm. Register your pooch at the Dog Parade Tent on 34th Street between 11am and 2pm on Sunday.

Crafts, Food, Beer

This year’s Fair boasts over 250 vendors selling crafts and all manner of food. Booths will occupy the area west of Evanston along 34th and Canal Street where the Sunday market normally sets up. Will there be beer, you ask? Yes, there will be a beer garden. Bring your ID.

Music

There will be about a dozen bands performing (free!) on two stages: the Kona Stage and the Jack Daniels Stage. (I’ll let you guess who two of the sponsors are.) Music starts roughly around 11 each morning, and ends around 8 on Saturday and a little earlier on Sunday. Here is the detailed music program.