Established in 1889, the small town of Ballard rests just across the canal from Seattle proper. The city, once an industrial hub for Seattle, is now known for its local eateries, art, shopping, and walking score. Since 1974, visitors have had the opportunity to visit during the celebration known as the Ballard Seafoodfest. This year’s event will be held Friday through Sunday, July 14-16, 2023.
Traveling from the Tri-Cities to Ballard during the summer is a beautiful, three-hour drive across Snoqualmie Pass. Accommodations can be had in the downtown Seattle area (only 1.5 miles from the festival), or the north part of Seattle near the University of Washington, where public transportation and Uber services will be available to take you to and from the party. Parking at Seafoodfest is limited and if you’re not familiar with the area, it would be difficult to locate.
Ballard is proud of its history of providing the door to the Sound and the open path that seafood takes on its way to Seattle’s restaurants. This venue celebrates with Seafoodfest that touts live music, fun for the entire family, local vendors, of course booths offering delectable delights from the sea, and many craft beer options.
Outdoor music at the MainStage this year will support local bands. On Friday, to kick off the party, DJ music will start at 6:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m., #All4Doras will entertain, followed by Nite Wave who will end the night at 10:00 p.m. Music will be enjoyed by all starting at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday with Peyote Ugly and the evening will close at 10:00 p.m. with performances by The Black Tones. The Seattle School of Rock will open Sunday’s events at 12:30 p.m. and the evening will wind down by 8:00 p.m. with Shaina Shepherd.
At the nearby Commons Park there will be more music and fun activities for kids at the area called Kids Deck. Starting on Saturday there will be games, story time, drumming workshops, magicians, dancing, and performances. Most activities will run between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and children need to be accompanied by an adult.
The center of the festival will be on NW Market Street, a small-town street lined with excellent restaurants, distilleries, and craft beer establishments. If the fairgoer isn’t enjoying one of Ballard’s restaurants, the specialty of the festival is the smoked salmon dinner. This traditional meal comes with smoked salmon, coleslaw, and a delicious chunk of bread.
Ballard’s populace is of Scandinavian ancestry, and the weekend would be complete with a stop in the Skal Beer Hall at 5429 Ballard Ave. NW. This entertaining venue is the restaurant’s “interpretation of what a Viking meadhall would be like today…” Try a glass of mead with some specialty cut from the Viking kitchen and don’t be surprised to share a big oak table with men dressed in Viking helmets, cheering “Skal”!!!
For a weekend in July, head over to the Seattle area to enjoy a weekend that provides a cooler climate and excellent seafood in the Nordic tradition in the maritime town of Ballard.