The Seattle Traveler

Labor Day Weekend & Bumbershoot

by Mary Jo on August 9th, 2007

Billed as the “mother of all arts festivals,” Bumbershoot was one of the good things to come out of Seattle in the 1970’s, an otherwise turbulent and uninspired time in our city’s history.  37 years after its birth, the festival is bigger and better than ever.

In 1970, then Mayor, Wes Uhlman, formed a citizen’s group to create a citywide event that would both jumpstart the economy, and infuse people with a sense of fun, enthusiasm, and appreciation for their city..  Originally billed as the Seattle Arts Festival, the FREE festival launched in 1971 on the Seattle Center grounds, and embraced a wildly eclectic assortment of activities.

In 1980, with a non-profit organization running the event, the festival added headline acts to the event, necessitating admission charges to some of the events.  However, it never turned its back on the foundation of the festival – northwest talent and artisans.  The local concept was reinforced as the country started to turn its eyes and ears to the Seattle music scene.

The 90’s saw the Bumbershoot model being replicated in other cities around the country:  New Orleans (Jazz and Heritage Festival) and Milwaukee (Summerfest). 

The 2000’s have seen Bumbershoot take on an International flavor, as artists from around the world have appeared.  The festival continues to be on the cutting edge of the music and arts scene, yet remains true to the belief that celebrating art is a community activity.  There’s lots of community at Bumbershoot, and something for everyone.

This Labor Day weekend will be the 37th annual Bumbershoot.  Tickets for the event range from $30-$395 (one to three days passes), based on date of purchase, type of admission, VIP status, etc.  Discounts are available for children, seniors, and patrons with disabilities.  You can buy tickets online at Ticketmaster or through Bumbershoot, as well as onsite during the event.  There will be long lines at the gate, so if you know that you’ll be going, just buy tickets in advance and save yourself a whole lot of grief.

What can you expect at this year’s Bumbershoot?  More of the same great stuff, including music, visual arts, comedy, literary arts, film, performance, dance, theater, and special installations.   The full lineup of performers is too long to list here, but here are a handful just to tease you a little:  Fergie, John Legend, Gabriel Teodros, The Mother Truckers, Dyme Def, Carrie Akre, Darrel Grant Trio, Lazy Bones, Sneaky Thieves and Cobra.  Checkout the full schedule of the musical acts and venues, and download it to your mp3 player or print it out to do your planning.

Although there is public and private parking available in the Seattle Center area, the sheer volume of people attending Bumbershoot may make it difficult to find.  Consider public transportation.  A detailed list of options is available through Metro Online.

Photo credit:  Mark Paciga

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POSTED IN: Art, Events, Family Fun, Music, Nightlife, People - Interesting Local People, People Watching, Performing Arts - Theater & Dance, Sound Like a Local - Local "speak"