Gig Harbor Art Festival

Whenever anybody not from around here asks me where I'm from, and then finds out I'm from Seattle - they almost always ask (with incredulity) "why would you want to live there?  doesn't it rain there all the time?"

No it doesn't rain here all. the. time.  But of course you do have to make peace with a lot of rain in the fall and winter.  And now in the spring too.  But those of us in-the-know smile indulgently, keeping our little secret that we have the very best summers of anywhere else in the country.

Turns out, that's not true any more.  While everywhere else is getting hotter and hotter, drier and drier, summer is something we don't get any more.  Last year the big thing was we had only 78 minutes of summer.  That was a total of minutes that our temperature got over 80 degrees, over the course of the whole freaking season!

This year, we've only had 50 minutes so far.  And nights often drop below 60 degrees.  Even this month - July!!!!

So here I am in the midst of my big summer festival season, and I'm wearing sweaters for all of it.  Socks too.

This weekend is the Gig Harbor festival.  In years past I remember it being ridiculously hot (well for us.  90's is hawt!).  This particular weekend often was the big heat wave.  But this time we'll have clouds and cool mornings.  Possibly sun breaks on Sat afternoon.  Possibly showers on Sunday. Last year it poured rain both days, so this is an improvement.  Yikes.

Gig Harbor is charming.  The views are lovely.  The festival is great fun.  Come on out anyway.  Even in your sweaters or rain jacket.

Show is Sat and Sun, July 21 and 22.  Hours are 10am to 5pm both days.  It's located on Judson in Gig Harbor's historic waterfront district.  My booth is at the far north end of the street - on the right side as you are heading up that direction.  I'll have all my summer goods.

And one reminder:  I will NOT be at Bellevue next week.  The first time in years.   So this is it until Anacortes the first weekend of August.

Get your summer groove on, people!

West Seattle Summer Festival

This weekend!  I know - I could have gotten this up earlier this week.  Hopefully you don't have so many summer plans that can't make it over to this one.

This is a totally rocking neighborhood festival.  Totally local.  Totally good stuff for everyone.  Kids activities - like making art and a romping carnival area (those blow-up jumping thingies and everything).  Vendors on the street have sidewalk sales going on - with great stuff for folks that like to shop for deals - check out the Easy Street tent for tons of music.  All the restaurants have outdoor areas set up on the sidewalk just for this weekend, with food and drink specials.  There are also the usual food vendors.  And bands with live music at both ends of the festival.  There are garden demos, performers, etc.

Plus there is this great street festival, with booths from all over.  Some hand made.  Some commercial.  Some imported stuff.  It's a little bit of something for everyone.  Come check it out.

West Seattle Summer Fest

Friday through Sunday, July 13-15
Festival hours:  Fri and Sat 10am - 8pm, Sun 11am-6pm

Those hours are for the whole shebang - evening street dance included.  The booths close down at 6pm, although some folks will stay open til the end.  (I usually leave at 6pm).  The restaurants obviously stay open til late night.  

The link above has all the scoop, from the band line-up, to directions, to kids stuff, to the green area.

Long weekend of hanging out in my booth again . . . heading out early.  Hope to see you there!  Oh, don't forget - they have the usual Sunday Farmer's market there too - in the parking lot behind the food booths.  And Bakery Nouveau will be even busier than usual, so head over early before they sell out.

Last weekend was a blast!

Yeah, I meant to post earlier this week, but just didn't get to it.   I was at Choochokam last weekend, in Langley at the south end of Whidbey Island.  It was the perfect summer weather with non-stop sunshine.  The music was so happy and fun.  People were smiley and friendly.  No problems with the ferry (for me anyway).  And it was all good.  Except for the sales.  Which were a bit on the small side (for me anyway).

Had a great time.  Wish you all had come out.  And if you want to see what the festival looked and sounded like, a local guy made a video.  I saw him running his machine on wheels up and down the street the first morning.    Check it out below - pretty fun!

One of the best parts is taking the early morning ferry over with the sun just coming up.  It's so quiet and peaceful.  The little fishing boats are all just heading out to someplace else.  A perfect morning.  A cup of hot tea in the travel mug.  A fresh scone.  Nothing but fresh air and the smell of the sea.

Happy Fourth!

 Have a great mid-week holiday!  And three cheers to our Founding Fathers, freedom, and independence!  I hope it's a day that unites us rather than divides us.  One day when partisan politics is set aside to celebrate our nation.

Plus, fireworks are one my very favorite things, so how can it not be a great day.

It's July already! Plus Choochokam

The last month just flashed by in a blink.  It's already the start of July, and a big show month for me.  I've got 3 in a row, starting right about NOW!

This coming weekend is Choochokam in Langley.  I'll explain more about that below.  But if you're not heading to the island this weekend, the following weekend (13-15) I'll be at West Seattle Summerfest, and the weekend after that (21-22) I'll be in Gig Harbor for their Art Festival.  I will NOT be in Bellevue this year, which is the last weekend of the month.   But I WILL be at Anacortes the beginning of August (3-5).  And then off for a week of family vacation.  So it's all going to happen in a rush.   You can find my show schedule HERE for more info.

Ok, so Choochokam Arts Festival.  I used to participate in this show for a long, long time.  But the past few years it's fallen on the same weekend as West Seattle and I can't be in both places.  This year it's a week earlier, and I'm so thrilled to get to go back out there.

Dates:  July 7 and 8
Hours:  Sat 10am-6:30pm, Sun 10am-5pm.

My booth location is B-6 on Anthes near the corner of Second St.  It's just the second quad of booths in from the very start of the show.  Great spot, great town, lots of fun.  And a really nice summer day trip.   More info and a map on their website.

Lots to do this week.  And a holiday on Wednesday to boot!