Beyond the Game: What to do in Seattle after Mini-camp is Done
Liquid Sunshine
My girlfriend, who is from Tennessee, has a difficult time living in Seattle during the winter because night time happens at about 4:30 in the afternoon. In those dark times of short days, I assure her that the payoff comes in the summer when it doesn’t get dark till after 9:30. (She obviously knows this, but I think morale improves in the apartment during those winter months if we keep that in mind.) And as we’ve been approaching the summer solstice over the last month or so, the days are stretching out like a limber yoga enthusiast. Summer is coming into focus, even if we have to drag out that tired old “liquid sunshine” cliche every time it rains (like right now).
This weekend is looking decent, weather-wise, so what can we do to take advantage of all this daylight?
How about an outdoor pig roast in the parking lot of Vif coffee and wine for their 4th annual Pig and Pink? At this time, details are scant, their website says “more details coming soon.” This sounds optimistic. The plan is to roast a whole pig and have plenty of pink wine for the tasting. We do know that it starts at 5 pm on Friday at Vif, but the cost (if there is any) is yet to be determined.
If you’re a fan of anything labeled “4th annual”, this will be a good weekend. In addition to the aforementioned 4th annual Pig and Pink, we also have the 4th annual Fiddle Showcase at The Ballard Homestead at 7 pm on Friday. This show will feature fiddlers from Ballard High school (The Ballard Fiddlers), and other special guests. There will also be square dancing starting at 8, no experience required. But if you attended public school like I did, you probably have plenty of square dancing experience. Tickets will be $6 for students with ID, $8 for general advanced tickets, $10 at the door. Dust off those cowboy boots!
Beer!
Take a road trip to the East Side for Washington Beer Association’s 12th annual Brewers Festival, the 16th-18th! Marymoor Park hosts this event perfectly timed for father’s day weekend (coincidence?). $30 gets you into the fest with eight four-ounce tastings and a glass to take home. Designated driver tickets are available for $5. The list of participating breweries is 57 pages long, check it out.
There will also be food trucks set up to make it possible to ingest more beer without making yourself sick. If you can’t find some suds to satisfy your tastebuds, you should probably rethink the direction your life is going. Seriously, get yourself some help with beer.
Father’s Day, of course
If your dad refuses to fight traffic on the way to the east side, consider going to “Father’s Day Hops with Pops on the Harbor” from Argosy Cruises in Downtown. You give them $40 and they will let you on the boat, give you four four-ounce tastings and take you around the Sound to enjoy some of the world-class scenery we’re surrounded by here in Seattle. This takes place Saturday from 7-9 pm. Complimentary light snacks will be available. Bring dad. Bring gramps. Bring that uncle you’re close to.
More Beer!
Beer for breakfast? Sounds like the makings for another Father’s Day observation! Make your way to Kegs and Eggs Father’s Day Brunch Sunday from 10-2 at Ounces Taproom in West Seattle. Silver Spork food truck will be there serving up brunch favorites. Come try out some breakfast beers including Pre-Ride Brunch IPA from Chainline Brewing Co. Also cider-mosas. Have you ever had a cider-mosa? Me either, but it sounds wonderful!
Other things, if you are lucky!
Are you lucky like me? If you are, you might be attending the Tool show at the Gorge this Saturday. I’m lucky, so I will be there. You might see me dancing my little bottom off to the rhythmic pounding of the masters of prog-rock. This show is sold out, so I won’t include too many details. I mostly wanted to brag about being able to attend. If you have tickets, I’ll see you there!
If you can’t make it to the Tool show, you owe it to yourself to see the solstice parade in Fremont. If you’ve never attended this parade, it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen. There will be floats and music and all manner of parade-like attractions, but probably the thing everyone shows up for is the thousands of naked, body painted bicyclists. See all the unique ideas people have for their painted-on costumes. The creativity on display is stunning! I’ve attended this parade several times (and would be attending again if not for the Tool show) and I’m always a little awed by the fact that solstice celebrations have been happening every year for most of human history. Like an unbroken chain of festivals that stretches deeply into our collective inherited past. It feels like a very human thing to do.