The Insider's Guide to Summer Festivals 2009

JUNE
Edmonds Arts Festival
6/19–6/21
What to expect: One of the Northwest’s oldest and largest arts festivals, this three-day event takes place against the scenic backdrop of Puget Sound. Nearly 240 booths line the festival’s makeshift streets, where artists display and sell everything from paintings, photography and pottery to sculpture, jewelry and furniture.
Insider Tip: Visitors of all ages will feel welcome at this festival. The Kids Creative Corner features activities and performers for young ones, while the wine bar and bistro provides entertainment for the 21+ crowd.
Free entry. Friday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.– 8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Frances Anderson Cultural Center, 700 Main St., Edmonds; 425.771.6412; edmondsartsfestival.com

Washington Brewers Festival
6/19–6/21
What to expect: A Father’s Day beer festival featuring music, food vendors, and, most importantly, more than 50 breweries (most from Washington State) offering tastes to dads and anyone else who’s old enough to drink and just can’t wait until Oktoberfest. Kids activities (which take place outside the designated brewski zones) keep little ones entertained on Saturday and Sunday.
Insider Tip: Admission prices are increasing for the first time in nearly a decade, so buy tickets ahead of time to get the most beer for your buck.
Prices vary. Friday (21+ only), 5 p.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.– 8 p.m. St. Edward State Park, 14445 Juanita Drive NE, Kenmore; 206.915.0015; washingtonbeer.com

Fremont Fair
6/20–6/21
What to expect: Naked (and painted!) cyclists at the Solstice Parade (Saturday only), a full line-up of local music on three stages, a handcraft fair, foods from all nations, street performers of every type, and the “EcoZone,” with booths sponsored by earth-conscious organizations providing tips on sustainable living.
Insider Tip: Preserve the environment (and your sanity) by walking, biking, or riding the bus—this gigantic street fair is bursting with everything except parking spaces.
Free entry. N 34th St and Fremont Avenue & Canal Park along the Ship Canal; 206.297.6801; fremontfair.org

Taste of Tacoma
6/26–6/28
What to expect: An estimated 250,000 food lovers feasting on tasty treats ranging from barbeque to gyros, offered by more than 25 area restaurants and 20 additional food vendors at the South Sound’s self-proclaimed “Ultimate Family Picnic.”
Insider Tip: New for 2009, all restaurants will be offering smaller sized $3 items (in addition to the usual $6 and $7 plates), so you can try a little bit of everything.
Free entry. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Point Defiance Park, 5400 N Pearl St., Tacoma; 425.283.5050; tasteoftacoma.com

Shoreline Arts Festival
6/27–6/28
What to expect: Dance performances, drum circles, rock stacking and collage-making workshops are just a few of the activities happening at this free festival with an impressively eclectic agenda of artsy things to see, hear and experience. Home also to the Philippine Festival for the past decade, the festival features cultural rooms displaying Philippine artwork and artifacts. And kids are treated to a hands-on art arena.
Insider Tip: This year’s theme, “Weaving a Cultural Tapestry,” has both figurative and literal meaning as visitors have the opportunity to experience art, music, and dance from the various cultures that make up the Shoreline/Lake Forest Park community, as well as participate in weaving an actual tapestry that will hang in the new Shoreline City Hall.
Free entry. Saturday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Shoreline Center, 18560 First Ave. NE, Shoreline; 206.417.4645; shorelinearts.net

Seattle Pride Parade and Festival
6/28
What to expect: You’ll see some of the most creative floats (and outrageous costumes) of any parade in the city, followed by PrideFest at Seattle Center with beer gardens, music, and revelers of all ages cooling off in the International Fountain. Since 2009 marks 40 years since New York City’s Stonewall Riots, this summer’s parade has a 60s-inspired “Peace, Love, and Equality” theme.
Insider Tip: Dodge the Westlake crowds and stake out a spot at the parade’s wine tasting and beer garden on the corner of Fourth and Bell.
Free. Parade: 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m., starts at Union Street & Fourth Avnue., progressing down Fourth to Denny Way. Festival: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Seattle Center Grounds, 305 Harrison St.; 206.322.9561; seattlepride.org


JULY
Bellingham Festival of Music
7/3, 7/7, 7/11, 7/12, 7/15, 7/19
What to expect: Six evenings of classical and chamber music performed by the Bellingham Festival Orchestra, comprised of top musicians from all over the country and conducted by longtime festival artistic director Michael Palmer.
Insider Tip: Don’t miss the festival’s final concert when The Romeros—a guitar quartet the New York Times credits with “virtually inventing” the classical guitar quartet format—performs Concerto for Four Guitars by Spanish composer Frederico Moreno Torroba.
Times and prices vary. Western Washington University, PAC Concert Hall, 516 High St., Bellingham; 360.650.6146; bellinghamfestival.org

31st Annual Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival
7/4–7/5
What to expect: Plenty of free, hands-on nautical activities for all ages. Build a toy boat, sail a model boat, take a boat ride (are you getting the theme?) or construct and race your own craft on the spot in the “Quick and Daring” race.
Insider Tip: If you haven’t visited the South Lake Union area lately, plan to explore it during this fun family festival. Even with renovations still underway, the new and improved Lake Union Park is one of the best spots in the city to spend a summer day.
Free. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Center for Wooden Boats and Lake Union Park, 1010 Valley St.; 206.382.2628; cwb.org