Solstice, Al Fresco

To Issaquah, With Heart

I never tire of walking through Downtown Issaquah. As a seasoned Olde Town resident, I have lived just down the street from our beautiful town, yet I always find something new to admire and cherish. My imagination inevitably takes over, and I wonder: How do we take the natural magic of downtown and continue to make it special, again and again?

This year, I’m proud that our Artwalk and Music Strolls are back through the summer, in fun weekend attractions we’ve dubbed Al Fresco on Front. We hold it the first weekend of every month. For its debut on June 5, visitors and residents came out for the fresh air, lively music, and local art.

In the Chicago Pastrami parking lot – our newly renamed La Piazza (there’s a theme here), our Historically Hip Artisan Market reprises its success from the holidays.

The market features about 10 artists to start, more to come. It will expand to the Historic Shell and many other locations along Front. It runs every Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. through September.

Everywhere I walk, I hear: “So great to have everything back! We’ve waited for this for a long time.” The comments are more effusive than that. So, we’ve included video.

But that’s not all.

“Open Mic” is back, after a too-long hiatus due to COVID. Local musicians will play live open mic music inside the Historic Train Depot in downtown Issaquah.

Sponsored by the Downtown Issaquah Association (DIA), and with the Issaquah History Museums, the open mic events will be held the first Wednesday of every month, starting July 7 from 6:30-8:30 . They will feature folk, rock, blues, jazz, pop, and reggae music.

The open mic is produced and promoted by the Issaquah Open Mic team led by Bob Brock and Lee Haro. Attendees often dine in one of our fabulous dining spots before the music begins.

Like our annual Issaquah Goes Apples, we’re also calling for original art for a contest to commemorate Independence Day. Given the success of Issaquah Goes Apples, I’m confident we’ll see amazing art from all ages.

Father’s Day — Fenders, but without the Front

Father’s Day in Downtown Issaquah has always meant one (Ok two) things: Fenders on Front. And then there’s Dad. For 15 years, thousands of visitors have flocked down Front Street to admire hundreds of vintage and classic cars. Collectors came from all over the Pacific Northwest to show off their prized possessions. While the event remains on hiatus, we expect the fiercest aficionados to still strut their stuff.

Besides, you can always take Dad to dinner in style. Park in front of one of Downtown’s fabulous restaurants and watch the gawkers gather.

Make Music Day June 21

Make Music Day happens every June 21st and December 21st in cities and towns around the world. Celebrated in 700 cities and 100 countries, it’s a day to celebrate the importance of music in our lives. Free and open to all, it’s an opportunity to listen to or play your favorite music. Performers take to the streets, sidewalks, and parks from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Come out to Confluence Park to listen, dance, and join in the fun.

DIA will be sharing more about all the fun reasons to visit downtown. We’re especially excited to announce the resurrection of our “Streatery,” in the form of a “Pedestrian Playground.”

We heard you, and we’re responding. Our community is begging for its return, and we couldn’t be happier to oblige you.

Pedestrian Playground will run Saturdays and Sundays the last two weeks in August and first two weeks in September. During that time, Front Street will be open to walkers, bicyclists, families and – if last year was the gauge – a cornucopia of family pets.

You’ll soon see banners, posters and even two billboards along I-5, one north and one south, in all their digital brilliance. We will attract visitors from all over the Pacific Northwest this summer to help our businesses snap back from COVID. They need our help now and throughout the year. And I’m thankful that our community is more than willing to help. We can’t wait to see you — again and again.

Until then,

Christina

Author: DIA ED

Historically Hip Downtown

Author: DIA ED

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