The annual Fremont Fair starts this Saturday, June 18th and continues through Sunday the 19^th.  Inspired by and inspring hedonism and heathenism, the fair features naked painted bicyclists, a parade with nature and forest inspired floats pulled without car or truck power, food trucks and stands, and music. The Fair welcomes in the hot, sticky and wild days and nights of mid-summer with a summer solstice celebration at the “center of the universe.”  Here are some of the Fair’s don’t miss events:

--Solstice Cyclists or The Painted Cyclists.  These bicyclists unofficially kick off the Solstice Parade and Paegant.  Originally started by streakers, the bicyclists, who come from all over the country for the event, are now a typical and welcomed part of the parade. Participants go all out—artistically painting their bodies and decorating their bikes. The relationship between the parade and cyclists wasn’t always so cheery. In 2001, an editorial in The Seattle Times said that the naked riders took away from the point of the parade—that it was supposed to be about art, not nudity. Police and organizers posted fliers about prosecution of indecent exposure in 2001.   

--Seattle Art Cars.  At the Burke Building Parking lot, more than 75 decorated cars will be on display.  28 artists came together in 1999 as part of the fair and have been a fair staple ever since. 

--Fremont Abbey Arts for All.  The Arts Center will have various arts activities for community members of all ages.  Fairgoers can add to the Growing Brain Sculpture, made from all re-purposed materials, build a musical instrument with recylced materials or write a haiku inspired by a variety of smells.

--Dads & Dogs Day Parade.  Sunday at 2:30pm.  Cute dogs will march in their own parade.  Hopefully, they will be in costume—naked dogs would be obscene. 

--Grilling Competition.Sunday at 1-2:15pm. PCC Natural Market hosts this competition on the PCC Waterfront Stage.  Dads will compete against PCC chefs for the tital.

--Solstice Parde.Saturday at noon.  I popped into the studio where the floats and costumes were being made and they are seriously amazing.  Judging from the quality and artistry, it’s obvious that the artists have been working since last year’s parade in their Fremont studio.  Huge masks of yellow and orange of the sun, stage-like floats and personified, grey cloud masks are sure to continue the parade’s success.

--Pel’Meni Dumpling Tzar.  The best way to enter this Fremont eatery is by going down a dark alley.  During the fair, though, they will emerge from the shadows and sell their potato and meat dumplings in the open air.  The dumplings are tasty—if a little pricy—and come with delicious red spicy sauce, sour cream and a piece of rye bread.  It’s the only thing that this shop sells, perhaps obviously, so don’t expect any other Russian specialties if you drop by their stand.     

--Yoga for the Solstice. Sunday from 1030am-12:15pm. There is nothing earthier than yoga outside, so this class, hosted by Planet Earth Yoga, is perfect to welcome in the solstice.  Pre-registration is required, as is your own mat.

--Mayor McGinn’s opening remarks. Saturday 11:15am.  He’s not the most popular mayor right now, but it’s still cool that he comes to open a parade that’s attended by a lot of anarchists and naked people. Perhaps he will be more popular with the Dads & Dogs demographic.