Fremont Solstice Parade

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Solstice Parade, 1992
Solstice Parade, 2007
Solstice Cyclists during the 2005 Solstice Parade

The Fremont Solstice Parade is an annual event produced by the Fremont Arts Council (FAC), an organization that supports the arts and artists in and around the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. Started in 1989 by Barbara Luecke and Peter Toms, the parade quickly grew to tens of thousands of spectators and hundreds of participants. The parade kicks off the Fremont Fair, a benefit for Solid Ground (originally known as the Fremont Public Association). On January 29, 2010, Solid Ground announced that it is turning over ownership of the fair to the Fremont Chamber of Commerce.[1]

Details

The pageant, a large-scale community play using over a hundred dancers, musicians and giant puppets, follows the parade at the end of the parade route at Gas Works Park. Admission to the fair is free but donations (advertised to end poverty, and donated to the Fremont Public Association) are encouraged. The parade is famous for its wild and creative floats and ensembles and for the Solstice Cyclists, who strip down before the parade and paint their bodies, who unofficially start the parade every year.

The latest fair took place on June 21-23, 2013.

The event distinguishes itself from other mainstream parades with its rules restricting printed words and motor vehicles. As the Fremont Arts Council states:

1. No printed words or recognizable logos.


2. No live animals (except guide animals).
3. No motorized vehicles.
4. No actual weapons.
5. No advertisement or use of printed words during the parade.[2]

The Fremont Solstice Parade was founded by Barbara Luecke and Peter Toms in 1989 who were inspired by the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade and Celebration.[3]

See also

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Cheryl Cobbs, Solid Ground transitions Fremont Fair to Fremont Chamber, Solid Ground Blog, 2010-01-29. Accessed online 2010-01-29.
  2. ↑ "The Fremont Solstice Parade!". Fremont Arts Council. 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-06-14. Retrieved 2008-06-23. 
  3. ↑ "'Warts and all,' Fremont Solstice Parade continues surprises for 20 years". The Seattle Times. 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-23. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Summer Solstice Parade and Pageant.


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