Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 7, Issue 7, July 2003
Copyright 2003 Seattle Sun. Please feel free to use the article and photos below in your research. Be sure to quote the Seattle Sun as your source.
SeafoodFest: Something fishy in Ballard
By JAMES BUSH
If this is July, people must be eating salmon cakes on Market Street.
Or at least they will the weekend of July 26-27, when the Ballard community holds its 29th annual SeafoodFest.
The festivities will take place on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, from noon to 7 p.m. along Market Street NW in the heart of beautiful downtown Ballard.
This year's SeafoodFest will be more than just a tribute to good eating, says Beth Williamson Miller, executive director of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce.
The Garden Court will offer 36 booths dedicated to arts and crafts for the garden. "We're creating our own little niche," she notes.
The entertainment stage will present a diversity of musical styles. This year's performers include the Total Experience Gospel Choir, The Smilin' Scandinavians, The Squirrels, The Buckaroos, cowboy singer Wiley and the Wild West, and the Toucans Steel Drum Band.
The family stage will present two full days of entertainment for all ages kicked off with an appearance by local favorite Stan Boreson. Kids will face a dizzying array of options from storytellers, puppeteers, and clowns to the inevitable bouncy inflatables. "In keeping with our changing demographics, we are expanding our offerings for families," explains Williamson Miller.
The SeafoodFest's long tradition of poking fun at Ballard's "Scandihoovian" image with the third appearance of the Coverall Contest (2:45 p.m. Sunday, entertainment stage).
"People are provided with a pair of coveralls, which we consider to be the uniform of Ballard fashion," explains Williamson Miller. "You have to modify it (leaving half the outfit intact). And, you have to model it at the event." Contestants will be judged on originality, effort, creative use of materials, stage presentation, the total package, and "Is It Ballard?"
Among the crowd-pleasing coverall creations from past years were a flag bedecked outfit created by Ballard merchant All the Kings Flags and a coverall bridal gown designed by a local wedding chapel. One local retailer is taking this year's event as a challenge, confides Williamson Miller. "(Novelty goods store) Archie McPhee is in it to win it this year, just so you know," she says.
OK, who are we kidding? The SeafoodFest is still about eating seafood. At least 20 restaurants will be serving up the good stuff, while competing for prizes on Saturday with various chefs and other food experts doing the judging. Last year's Best of Fest winner was the salmon cakes with poblano chili sauce served up by the Yankee Grill & Roaster.
So bring your appetite along and let the feast, er, fest begin.
Mainstage music capsules:
Total Experience Gospel Choir (Saturday, noon)
It's possible some Seattleite's have never enjoyed the enthusiastic harmonies of Patrinell Wright and the Total Experience Gospel Choir but it isn't terribly likely. Born from a 1973 gospel music class at Franklin High School, the Total Experience Gospel Choir has performed in every corner of the Northwest, not to mention in Central America, Russia, Japan, Australia, and Germany. They've performed with the likes of Ray Charles, King Sunny Ade, Steely Dan, the Judds, the Winans, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
The Smilin' Scandinavians (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.)
Ignoring the stereotype of Cornish College of the Arts students as black-clad kids who smoke a lot, accordionist Toby Hanson and drummer Erick Cohn recruited several of their classmates to start a polka band. Armed with a few tunes transcribed from a Frankie Yankovic CD, the group has gone on to play Seattle clubs, community festivals, and the Dakota Polka Club in Algona, Washington.
The Squirrels (Saturday, 4 p.m.)
While the Squirrels have featured a rotating lineup of Northwest rock musicians over the years, it's ironic that the nucleus of Joey Kline, Rob Morgan, James "J.T." Thomas, and Hollis the Bug (don't ask) has stayed together long enough to see this band into a new century. Both musical geniuses and very, very silly men, the Squirrels blur the line between tribute, parody and ridicule every time they hit the stage. This year's version of the band also features Matt Fox and the gala return of Mark Nichols.
The Buckaroosters (Sunday, 4 p.m.)
Guitarist David Keenan is best remembered for playing in the last version of Ranch Romance, the current version of Jo Miller and her Burly Roughnecks, and as half of the unusual musical duo Miles & Karina. But he will someday be a legend for forming Seattle's only Buck Owens Tribute Band, the Buckaroosters. You heard it here first.
MAIN STAGE
Saturday, July 26
Noon Total Experience Gospel Choir
1:30 pm Smilin' Scandinavians
3:00 pm MsLed
4:30 pm The Squirrels
6:15 pm Thomas Mapfumo
Sunday, July 27
Noon Toucan Steel Band
1:30 pm Kickshaw
2:45 pm Coverall Contest
4:00 pm The Buckaroosters w/ Joe Ross, Swing Dance Teacher
5:30 pm Wylie & the Wild West Show
FAMILY STAGE
Saturday, July 26
11:15 Stan Boreson
12:00 Alleyoop
12:45 Mario the Funny Man
1:15 Professor Humbug's Flea Circus
1:45 Lutefisk Eating Contest & Watermelon Eating Contest
2:30 Nancy Stewarts Animal Crackers
3:00 Seattle Marionettes and Puppet Co ( roving)
3:30 Professor Humbug's Flea Circus
4:00 Rich and Robin
5:00 Bobcat Bob & Frisco Charley
Sunday, July 27
12:00 Puppets Please
12:30 Alleyoop!
1:00 Seattle Marionettes and Puppet Co
1:30 Professor Humbug's Flea Circus
2:00 Kirk Charles Magician
2:30 Tia!
3:00 Professor Humbug's Flea Circus
3:30 Alleyoop!