It’s not a surprise, but the 2020 Fremont Solstice Parade has officially been cancelled. And that means the annual painted bike ride is also cancelled.
Of course the ride and parade shouldn’t happen amid the outbreak, but it’s still tough news. The Solstice Parade and the pre-parade painted bike ride are among the iconic events that make Seattle what it is. So I’m mourning the news.
The Fremont Arts Council, which puts on the parade, is exploring ideas for a virtual celebration. I’m guessing there won’t be a body paint biking element, though…
More details from the Fremont Arts Council:
After assessing the current and projected data related to COVID-19 and hearing from King County Public Health and the Seattle Office of Special Events, the Board of Directors felt the wisest and safest choice for the FAC and the community would be postponement to next year.
Looking ahead, the Fremont Arts Council will need your support throughout this year, more than it ever has before.
How You Can Help:
- The Green Hat in the Fremont Solstice Parade and the Beer Garden at the Fremont Solstice Celebration at Gas Works have been the FAC’s main source of funding for the year. Without it, our budget for 2020-2021 is very small. Please consider joining or renewing your membership OR making a donation!
- We are brainstorming how to add new revenue streams for the FAC and we are writing grants to support the FAC and its events. If you have an interest in developing funding sources or grant writing, please help us by joining Dayna and the Development Team.
- We were chosen by the UW Human Centered Design and Engineering Department to help update our website! If you have web development skills and want to learn more about this project, email Lymarie at outreach@fremontartscouncil.
org. - Help us CELEBRATE!!
We’re creating a committee that can take the lead in the outreach and collective processto make a virtual Fremont Solstice Parade and Celebration happen on June 20th. We will be looking for artists, members, sponsors, and volunteers as well as media content and video editors. If you want to help organize, create and be a part of this, email Henry at volunteer@fremontartscouncil.
org. We don’t want June 20th to pass us by wishing for what we can’t have. We may not be able to gather en masse but we CAN still celebrate the Solstice. We want to safely share Fremont Solstice with our families, our friends, our community and the world. We want to see your celebrations, your joy, your rituals, your art! We want to hear your stories! We may not be able to fill the streets but we can still share with each other our celebration at the return of the Sun!
Lastly, stay healthy and stay safe! We look forward to creating an online Fremont Solstice Parade and Celebration with you and we look forward to celebrating with everyone in person at Luminata on September 19th.
With Care and Hope,
The Fremont Arts Council Board of Directors
