Solstice Parade | It's a whole different orbit in Fremont

Join in the ancient celebration of the summer solstice in mythic style at the Fremont Solstice Parade, Sustainable Solstice Festival, Solstice Pageant and Fremont Fair this weekend in Seattle.

Wild, weird, engaging, surprising and innovative expression of all kinds enlivens the festivities, traditionally including bike riders and other parade participants clad only in body paint, though clothing and costumes are encouraged. Parade crowds usually thin out for easier viewing on the second half of the route, on North 34th Street near Stone Way and along Northlake Avenue North to the parade's end at Gas Works Park.

"The Sun Arc," an elaborately staged modern myth in ancient themes of the sun's rebirth with a 21st-century sustainability twist, highlights Saturday's Sustainable Solstice Festival and Solstice Pageant at Gas Works Park. Music, art, food vendors and a beer garden are among attractions. Also look for a creative recycled clothing "Swap-a-rama-rama," and information on natural gardening and reducing global warming.

The Fremont Fair on Saturday and Sunday features art activities at Adobe Kids Universe at 35th Avenue North and North Evanston Street, along with inflatable rides, food vendors, a beer garden, hundreds of craft vendors and information from local community groups. Continuous performances on three stages include country, Cajun, hip-hop, folk, world music and more, plus street performers. Creative and wacky cars-as-art roll in from near and far for display at the Seattle Art Car Blowout on 35th Avenue North between Phinney and Evanston avenues both days.

The fair is produced by Solid Ground (formerly the Fremont Public Association), encouraging donations and providing hands-on opportunities to get involved in local projects to end homelessness.

The details

Fremont Solstice Parade

Noon Saturday. Starts on Northwest 36th Street from Third Avenue Northwest, to Fremont Place and Fremont Avenue North, then east on 34th Avenue North to Stone Way, right to Northlake Way, ending at Gas Works Park. Check in 8-11 a.m., advance registration requested, walk-ins accepted, clothing and costumes encouraged. No printed words, motor vehicles (except necessary motorized wheelchairs), live animals (except guide dogs) or real weapons allowed. Donations requested.

Sustainable Solstice Festival

Food vendors, beer garden, entertainment, sustainability projects and information, 1-8 p.m. Saturday, Solstice Pageant 4 p.m. Saturday, free (donations requested); Gas Works Park, 2101 N. Northlake Way, Seattle.

Fremont Fair, 10 a.m-8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.