by Kirby Lindsay, posted 20 May 2013
The May FAC meeting talked about the Solstice Parade and, surprisingly, some other matters as well. Photo by K. Lindsay
Surprisingly, the May Committee Of the Whole (COW) meeting of the Fremont Arts Council (FAC) discussed a few matters entirely unrelated to the parade. While at least half of the meeting (mostly the second half) did discuss plans for the 25th Solstice Parade happening on June 22nd at 3p, the other half almost, kinda, didn’t.
That is, as attendees shared announcements and reports on a variety of topics, only some of them had connections to the upcoming 2013 Parade.
1-Min Announcements, And Other News
First off, Jessica Vets with the Fremont Chamber of Commerce promoted ‘Bite Fremont’, a dining promotion going on through May 31st. Dine on specially designed $4 tasting plates at 16 Fremont restaurants, and pick up a ‘Taste Map Card’ to collect stamps from all the restaurants. Completed cards can be entered into a drawing for over $300 in gift cards. Find out more on the FCC website.
Peter Toms, meeting facilitator and FAC Board President, then mentioned another great dining experience – on June 2nd, Fremont will host its first BBQ Extravaganza & Competition, as a fundraiser for the FAC. The BBQ celebration, held in the U-Park System lot at Roxy’s Diner, will have live music, a dog parade, mini pancake eating contest, BBQ competitions, and plenty of delicious food and beverages. The FAC does need volunteers, Treasurer and Parade Staffer Sonia Telesco announced, to help with set-up, take down and moderating the bagel toss. Contact her at treasurer@fremontartscouncil.org to help.
In the 2012 Solstice Parade, Zero Waste Seattle wowed the crowds with their dragon built from used water bottles. Photo by K. Lindsay
Jake Harris, with Zero Waste Seattle, mentioned that OmCulture will be hosting weekly camps this summer. They need help with promotion, and finding kids to attend. The first week will be all about building a Solstice Parade, with volunteers from Zero Waste showing how they build the giant ensembles like last year’s spectacular plastic bottle dragon and this year’s ‘Pacific Trash Gyre.’ Find out more on the OmCulture website.
Barb Luecke mentioned that the documentary, ‘Beyond Naked’, filmed before the Solstice Parade in 2011, has taken the prize for ‘Best Documentary’ at this year’s Seattle True International Film Festival. For those who want to see this film – about four newbies riding with the naked Solstice Cyclists – tickets remain available for another screening on June 21st (the night before the Solstice Parade,) at 7:30p at Little Red Day Spa in Georgetown.
Toms then mentioned that the FAC Board decided, this year, to cover the Solstice Cyclists…with insurance.
The current Hysterical Marker, about the FAC and the Solstice Parade, stands in front of Fremont Coffee. Photo by K. Lindsay, Jul '12
Michele Savelle has taken the brunt of the work updating the art and information on the Hysterical Markers, for the Fremont Chamber. The new Marker, coming to the corner of N 36th Street & Fremont Ave N, will contain info about the FAC and the Solstice Parade. Savelle gave the proposed text to Luecke, and the FAC Board, for review and comment. Vets and Savelle also asked for photos – particularly ones with simple yet evocative images. To submit a photo, contact Vets at director@fremont.com
Toms then addressed an actual agenda item – a sculpture by the late Rich Beyer (the artist who created ‘People Waiting for the Interurban,’ among other works,) needs a home. The piece, entitled ‘Man Eating Dog Food,’ is for sale – through Beyer’s website. It was displayed, for an art festival, at an outdoor gallery in Lake Oswego, Oregon, and generated some controversy. Toms led a discussion of potential placement options around Fremont, and potential donors/supporters to approach.
Let’s Have A Parade
The discussion started, as it often does this year, with a reminder of the new start time – 3p. Parade veterans Toms and Chuck Harrison remarked on how the later start would give them more time for last minute improvements to ensembles/floats.
The parking lot at Roxy's Diner will have a BBQ Extravaganza on June 2nd and a beer garden on June 22nd, both raising money for the Solstice Parade. Photo by K. Lindsay, May '13
Toms also mentioned the three beer gardens being organized by the FAC as fundraisers for the parade. One will be at Makerhaus, one in the parking lot at Roxy’s Diner, and one at Gas Works Park. Toms announced that the budget for the parade this year is $70,000 (a jump from last year,) and the beer gardens are necessary to raise that money. Luecke, co-founder of the Solstice Parade 25 years ago, recalled that the budget of the parade that inspired this one – the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration – was $70,000 in the 1980s! “We’ve been pulling off a small parade for a long time,” Toms remarked.
The attendees briefly discussed more ways to promote those businesses – like The Ballroom, Peter Glick’s Restaurants, and Red Door – that do donate to the parade. Vets recommended a list on the FAC website with a tongue-in-cheek request that might encourage interest from other businesses. Also, every month after the COW, attendees select a ‘watering hole’ to adjourn to – and the choice could be auctioned to the business that donates the most.
Toms then pointed out that this year’s Parade will be musical, with 21 bands joining from HONK! Fest West, and three local Samba bands joining forces ‘into one massive conglomerate.’ “If you were thinking to do a quiet, meditative thing, this is not the year,” Toms observed, but others pointed out that the Solstice Parade rarely supports the ‘quiet’ or ‘meditative’.
'Man Eating Dog Food' created by Rich Beyer, a piece currently for sale.
Gyan Davies has volunteered to lead the Green Hat ensemble this year, with Christie Wolf assisting the operations. Davies said, “I want to mix it up a bit,” and she’s chosen a Steam Punk theme to help her do it. She’s collaborating with the Seattle Steamrats to help with costuming, and employees of Union Bank to help with money collection. The Green Hat ensemble encourages parade spectators to donate to the FAC during the Parade.
For the 25th Solstice Parade, sign-ups for ensembles started early – with a list of 25 already committed by the time of the May COW meeting. “This is great,” Toms remarked, co-founder of the Solstice Parade, “we have all kinds of energy!”
To become a part of the Parade, visit The Powerhouse over the next five weeks and volunteer. To witness the spectacle, line the streets of Fremont (the closer to Gas Works Park, the better view you’ll get!) starting at 3p on Saturday, June 22nd. Of course, to find out more, attend the next COW meeting on Tuesday, June 11th at 7:10p at The Powerhouse (3940 Fremont Ave N.) See you there?
Related Articles
- FAC Highlight Reel: Plenty Of Parade
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- Preparation Begins For The 25th Solstice Parade
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- When Marty Comes Over To Play
- by Kirby Lindsay, June 10, 2011
- Another Look At The ‘People Waiting’, And Rich Beyer
- by Kirby Lindsay, September 7, 2011
©2013 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.
