One of the biggest and most unique events in Seattle is back this summer after a two-year wait. The Fremont Fair and its zany, exuberant Solstice Parade is this weekend: June 18 and June 19! Read on for everything you need to know about this weekend’s festivities.
This two-day event is just as quirky as you would expect from Fremont and its residents. The Fremont neighborhood of Seattle calls itself the Center of the Universe and is known for its bohemian vibe and embrace of all things artsy and offbeat. You can visit Fremont at any time to see its unique attractions such as the Fremont Troll, the neon Rapunzel in the tower of the Fremont Bridge, the massive Lenin statue, the dinosaur hedges, and eclectic businesses including Fremont Vintage Mall, the Theo Chocolate Factory, and Dreamland Bar and Diner.
The Fremont Fair takes place over two days, with food, live music, craft vendors, and a parade on each day. You’ll be able to shop for eclectic handmade and vintage goods from over 300 vendors! (Perfect timing for those of us who procrastinated on finding a Father’s Day gift.) There will also be two stages for live music as well as several beer gardens and many food vendors.
The highlight of the weekend is without a doubt the Solstice Parade. The parade takes place on Saturday, June 14 at 2 p.m. There is a new parade route this year: it starts at 3rd and Leary Way and continues along 36th Street, takes a right on N. Evanston, loops back westbound on 35th Street and ends right in the heart of the Fremont Fair. We strongly suggest arriving early to get a good viewing spot before the parade starts.
Dress in your most whimsical or artistic attire if you’d like, and be prepared for rain or shine.
You’ll get to watch creative floats, brightly-dressed dancers, stilt walkers, giant puppets, and all sorts of unexpected costume themes march in the parade. And if you miss it, don’t worry: there is also a dog parade on Sunday!
And, of course, we can’t forget about the famous Fremont naked bike ride! An unofficial but essential part of Saturday’s Solstice Parade, the naked bike riders have painted their bodies and led the procession since the early 1990s. It started as a prank and grew over the years until it had thousands of participants. This year’s plan is for participating bicyclists to meet up at Gasworks Park at 1 p.m. prior to the parade.
Ready to get weird this weekend? You can find more information about parking, restrooms, and more at the Fremont Fair website.
When: Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 19, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Note: the Solstice Parade is on Saturday at 2 p.m.!)
Where: Fremont
Cost: Free! (Vendor prices vary)