My goal of bringing back an annual block party type event to America’s Favorite Pioneer Square is one step closer with the scheduling of The Pioneer Square Summer Market for June 10th, 2023. What is a Summer Market and how does that fit in, you ask? Well read on and I’ll explain.
For background, The Alliance for Pioneer Square has been managing a Holiday Market for some time now and it’s a really fantastic event that takes place in the winter. This year (2022) was extra special with the addition of an ice skating rink, lights and music. I can tell you first hand that great memories were made there this year. Beautiful brick Occidental Park, glistening with soft rain and Christmas lights with the iconic Smith Tower and the rest of Seattle’s skyline in relief. It was beyond picturesque, it was full of life and excitement – a shot in the arm to a beleaguered, some might even say forgotten, neighborhood.
Based on the love for this event and the interest of the many makers and artists who frequent Pioneer Square for its Art Walks I asked the Alliance if we could hold a similar market in the summer. Not only did the they think it was a good idea, they introduced me to their contacts at the City of Seattle to start the ball rolling. As a result we now have a date to start planning for: June 10th!
A Summer Market is a far cry from a block party, you say? Well, you’re right. The first permit is for the area of Occidental that markets can be held in, but I’m not going to stop there. If I’m able to gather enough interest from vendors and sponsors I’ll be pulling permits for live music, a beer garden and possibly even street closures for a little parade or car show (tbd). Pioneer Square is a canvas at the heart of the city, the center of of transportation, the very cradle of Pacific-Northwest civilization.
That’s all the news I have for you so far but please take this opportunity to fill out the Block Party Survey form I created prior to settling on this date. We want everyone even remotely interested to know they have a place in Pioneer Square so let us know where you best fit in.
Lloyd Gregory
Picture Seattle