http://theryanrvexpress.blogspot.com/2008/09/11-26aug08-everett-wa.html
http://www.fremontseattle.com/
You may also want to check out the 1994 King County resolution, in which the last paragraph states:
The Artistic Republic of Fremont is hereby declared, decreed, and determined to be an Independent ImagiNation and a Mecca for those of independent minds and spirits, and is forever and fervently empowered with all the rights and privileges thereto accruing. Further, the Metropolitan King County Council plainly postulates and proclaims Fremont to be Center of the Universe, indeed, and hereby supports Fremont in its gallant endeavors to apply to the United Nations for sovereign status under international law.
http://www.nwculture.com/NWC/CityDistricts/Fremont/1HP/1FS/1FhpFS.html
Anyway the Fair & Parade are in celebration of the Summer Solstice, & we would describe them as equal parts NW hippy counter culture; French Quarter “Laissez les bon temps rouler”; & San Francisco Castro District. The street Fair has over 300 shopping booths, beer gardens, live music, an ecozone, Art Cars, street performers, & eccentric general oddities. Since the Parade didn’t start until noon we checked out the Street Fair, & a large gathering of Art Cars.
Did we tell you (or did you know) that the Parade starts with nude bicyclists??? That’s right several hundred humans of all differed shapes & sizes, in body paint, & on bikes, kick off the parade. We knew it was coming, but we figured a couple of dozen at most, boy were we wrong. From the anorexic to the obese; from the ripped to the saggy; hundreds ride their bikes not just once by you, but three times! Some of these individuals spend the rest of day wandering around Fremont dressed only in their body paint.
Then as you are standing there recovering from the bicycle parade, several clothed volunteers pass out large sticks of chalk & everyone is encouraged to enter the street & draw. Soon the entire parade route is full of children & adults drawing away.
After about 45 minutes the parade started & we were treated in no particular order to a Edderkop (Trivia - what is an edderkop?), Fremont Troll, volcano shooting stuffed animals into the air, Atheists Pirates, Pastafarians (note spelling) worshiping the Flying Spaghetti Monster, the Beatles & Yellow Submarine, Vikings hunting for Ballard, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, YaYa’s for TaTa’s, Forbidden Forest Bikers, & many excellent musical ensembles (samba music seemed to be the most popular).
There are opportunities throughout the Parade for “audience participation”. You can bow down to the Flying Spaghetti Monster & be blessed by His Noodly Appendages. People in red capes with white hearts called Super Huggers will give you a hug to help spread the LOVE to Seattle. There are spontaneous kick ball games during Parade stops. But our favorite was a group rolling a giant beach ball down the street. They would encourage people to run out into the middle of the street, lay down, & have the beach ball roll over them. We could do without the nude bicyclists, but the Parade was one of the best we have seen. Remember Fremont’s motto “De Libertas Quirkas” – Freedom to be Peculiar!
http://www.fremontfair.org/
http://fremontartscouncil.org/summer-solstice-parade/
After six hours in the free state of Fremont it was off to Beth’s Café on Aurora Avenue, for a late lunch. Beth’s is a 24 hour greasy spoon (& we mean greasy), that has been featured on numerous food shows for their 12 egg omelets. Their wait staff is known for their tattoos & attitudes! Most wear those stick on, paper name tags with hand written expressions like “shut up”, “do you think i care?”, etc. They also will provide you with crayons & paper if you feel like being creative. The walls are covered with hundreds of these; some look like a 2 year old (or drunk) drew them, & some are excellent. Highly recommended!
http://www.bethscafe.com/
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