In the Seattle Weekly Best Of 2016 Reader’s Choice Poll, voters selected as ‘Best Festival’ the Fremont Solstice. Seattle Weekly posted results on August 3rd.
The description given in the results clearly points to the Fremont Arts Council Solstice Parade:
Every year Seattle manages to turn Fremont Solstice into our own little Carnivàle. Produced by the Fremont Arts Council, it’s an exhibition of creativity, ingenuity, and design as well as a celebration of music, art, food, and drink. Decorated floats, performers, and the ever-present horde of nude bicyclists wind their way through the neighborhood beginning at the intersection of North 36th Street and Leary Way all the way over to Gas Works Park. Every year brings something new, making it a festival well worth checking out.
Unfortunately, due to the name change of the 3-day Fremont Street Fair – to the Fremont Solstice – there may have been some confusion by voters over whether they meant to vote for the Parade, or the events that surround it (live music, vendors, food booths, beer gardens, philanthropy, dog parade, etc.) produced by Bold Hat Productions, to benefit the Fremont Chamber Of Commerce Community Grants Program.
In any case, the Fremont Arts Council, and it’s hard-working crew of volunteers, have great reason for pride in their efforts, especially as they won out over the Seattle International Film Festival, Bumbershoot, Northwest Folklife Festival and the independent grunge music Pizza Fest. According to voters, the best time this year was had at the Center of the Universe last June – and can be expected for a return performance, when both the Parade & Fair return during the weekend of June 16th – 18th, 2017.
In addition to winning Seattle’s Best Festival, Fremont businesses also took:
- Best Chocolatier: Theo Chocolate
- Best Dog Friendly Restaurant: Norm’s Eatery & Ale House
- Best Sandwich: Paseo Caribbean Food
- Best Grocery: PCC Natural Markets (including the Fremont location!)
For more information on the Seattle Weekly Best of poll, visit the Seattle Weekly website or e-mail bestofseattle@seattleweekly.com to find out when nominations open for 2017. For more information about how you can help create a bigger, better FAC Solstice Parade for 2017, visit the Fremont Arts Council website.