Fire me
Everything but the blazes will be on hand at the Pioneer Square Fire Festival! Check out the Firefighter Combat Challenge, watch your kids dress up like firefighters and run through an inflatable obstacle course, and peruse a smokin' antique fire truck display by the Last Resort Fire Department. Free. All ages. Occidental Square, Occidental Avenue South and South Main Street, Seattle. Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where I'll be this weekend
Like Baby Bear, this Seafair celebration is just right. Not too big, not too small, not too crowded but packed with crunchy goodness. Mercer Island's Summer Celebration includes a fireworks party at Luther Burbank Park on Saturday night (about 10:15 p.m.), plus a street fair, entertainment, and activities at Town Center and Mercerdale Park. Kids' fun includes performances by Carter Family Marionettes, magician Steffan Soule and Valentine's Performing Pigs, and arts and crafts. Festivities kick off Saturday with a parade at 10 a.m.; Sunday gets started with a pancake breakfast, 8 a.m.-noon, near the Recycle Center. Print off a schedule here. Most events free. All ages. Saturday, July 11, 8 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sunday, July 12, 8 a.m.-5:15 p.m.
Viking liking
If you love all things longboat, turn over a new Leif at Viking Days! The museum's annual celebration of Nordic heritage, Viking Days, includes a Swedish pancake breakfast ($6-$10, Saturday, Sunday 9 a.m.-noon), traditional Nordic foods, music and dance, a Viking encampment (with battle re-enactments!), and more. Free admission to festival and museum. All ages. Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 N.W. 67th St., Seattle. Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Taiko alert!
Crazy-happy full-body drumming is just part of DANCE this!, the 9th annual teen performance showcase of work by a group of young dancers. Exhilarating dance performances cover every genre. This year's performers include the Dearborn Park SCATS, Arab Children's Dabke Group, Kokon Taiko, The Lady Dangerettes Drill Team, Northwest Tap Connection and Zeta Phi Beta Steppers. $23, $26 day of show; students $12/$15. All ages. The Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle. Saturday, July 11, 7:30 p.m.
Where's Waldo?
In Wallingford, of course, for the Seafair Kiddies Parade and Street Fair, another just-right family fest featuring live music, delicious food and craft booths. Parade begins at 11 a.m. (and all kids are welcome to march, in costume or not!). From noon-4 p.m., head to the Wallingford Boys & Girls Club (1310 N. 45th St.) for an afternoon of free games and food. And after the street festival, wander around Wallingford for dessert from 5:30-9 p.m. Parade/street fair free. All ages. Wallingford Avenue North between North 43rd and 45th streets, Seattle. Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Rockin' Redmond
The Eastside enclave takes a shine to Seafair with Redmond Derby Days, packing in lots of free
family activities in the Field of Fun (hula hoops, inflatables, a
sprinkler garden from noon-3 p.m.) a kids'/grand parade (combined this
year!), food and live entertainment, a carnival (Thursday-Sunday) and more. Most events free. Redmond City Hall Campus, 15670 N.E. 85th St., Redmond. Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
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