August 2

Party Time

August has arrived, and with it comes one of the neighborhood’s largest annual events. Don’t miss the SLU Block Party on Friday, August 11 from noon to 11pm at the corner of Denny Way and Westlake Ave N.

This year, proceeds of the SLU Block Party benefit Mary’s Place, an organization dedicated to empowering families in need. “We put this event on to celebrate the diverse community in SLU and to bring everyone together, but it is for a cause, said Josh Lackey, Block Party event director and marketing manager at Vulcan Inc. The Block Party is free and open to all ages, offering a mix of activities that will keep any foodie, artist, and music lover entertained.

For those looking to chow down on fresh local eats, food trucks will line John Street and will serve lunch and dinner. Indulge in hometown favorites such as Bomba Fusion, Charlie’s Buns N’ Stuff, Kiss My Grits, Soda Jerk Soda, Off the Rez, Island Blends Acai, and Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria.

Craft beer enthusiasts will not want to miss the beer garden, presented by Bold Hat Productions. Sip selections from local breweries such as Rainier Beer and Fremont Brewing, along with cider and rosé offerings. Linger in the garden to enjoy lawn games, including cornhole, giant Jenga, Spikeball, and soccer darts, or snap lasting memories at Hum Creative’s photo booth.

In addition, the garden boasts an excellent view of the live musical performances on the Block Party’s main stage. A killer soundtrack is, after all, an essential for any summer celebration. Beginning at 4pm, a variety of bands will perform live sets, including local favorites Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme, Evening Bell, and Bread & Butter. Stick around to catch urban rock trio Ayron Jones and the Way, who will open for the Block Party’s headliner, indie folk and chamber pop band Hey Marseilles.

Art lovers will delight in the Steamroller Smackdown, a tradition organized by the School of Visual Concepts (SVC). Starting at 2:15pm, competing teams of designers will print giant posters based on the theme “Where the Music Matters,” using a five-ton steamroller as a printing press. Radio station and arts organization KEXP will judge the event and present awards at 7:45pm. According to Lackey, this year’s teams range from design studios such as Turnstyle and DEI Creative to larger companies like Facebook and Starbucks. For a memorable souvenir, stop by the SVC’s Plein Air Printing Parlour anytime during the Smackdown to press your own poster.

To further celebrate the local scene, peruse more than 60 booths at the Community Village, operated by such local businesses as Glazer’s Camera, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and The Seattle Times. For a sweet treat, pick up some mochi ice cream at the Whole Foods booth. All booths will be open between noon and 6pm.

This year’s SLU Block Party will not be one to miss. The one-day event has grown tremendously in the thirteen years since its inception and welcomes attendees from all over, as Lackey explains, “To me, it’s always representative of the neighborhood at that moment. It’s just a fun way for people to come together, meet their neighbors, and have a good time.”

SLU Block Party Essentials from Whole Foods Market

Sunscreen

Spending the day in the sun calls for a boost in skin protection. There are a variety of sunscreens on the market, and we want to help you choose the right one for you. First you want to choose between physical and chemical sunscreens. Physical sunscreens sit on top of the skin, and start working immediately. Chemical sunscreens penetrate the skin barrier, and need to be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure.

Our top 3 picks for sunscreens:

  • Goddess Garden Organics Everyday 50 Natural Sunscreen–physical sunscreen that goes on white then fades to clear.
  • Kiss My Face Organics SPF 30 Mineral Air Powered Spray Sunscreen–physical sunscreen that feels like a refreshing moisturizer.
  • Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen Aloe Vera SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen–chemical sunscreen that absorbs quickly and earned a recommendation from the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Like all our beauty products, every sunscreen carried at Whole Foods Market is free of 75+ banned ingredients, like the recently banned oxybenzone.

Hand Sanitizer

Perfect for events where soap and water aren’t readily available to wash your hands. Whole Foods Market is currently featuring 40 percent off all EO Hand Sanitizers. These hand sanitizers get their effective cleaning ability from sugar cane alcohol, making them 99.9 percent effect against common germs.

Hat and sunglasses

Must haves for any summer outing! Find a new favorite at Whole Foods Market and show off at the SLUBP. Selection varies by store.

Hydration

We all know drinking more water every day supports a healthy lifestyle. Stay hydrated throughout the Block Party with nuun active hydration, an electrolyte enhanced drink tablet, packed with electrolytes, light flavor, and made from cleaFor n ingredients.

PartySmart®

If you’ll be drinking at the Block Party and want to suppress a hangover, grab PartySmart® designed to rapidly eliminate acetaldehyde, the toxic by-product of alcohol intake and make for a better morning. Gluten-Free, Vegetarian and Kosher.

Pick up these SLU Block Party essentials with this $5 off $25 offer, valid at any Whole Foods Market in Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, or Lynnwood, from Aug 2–10.

Story by Parker Danowski, Art Work by HUM Creative, Photographs by Tino Tran & Vulcan Real Estate.


At The Center

SLU is the geographical center of Seattle