2008 Northwest Folklife Festival

Weather was great for the Folklife Festival. Large crowds along with fabulous solo artists and musicians made for three great days. One thousand acts were estimated to entertain up to 250,000 spectators in this Seattle tradition.

Music at the Folklife Festival

Where else will you find a poodle sporting a pink hairdo?

Flamingos at the Woodland Park Zoo

Beginning this Saturday, May 24, a flock of pink flamingos will be on display at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. They will be a permanent exhibit, and their arrival will mark the end of a 15 year flamingo absence at the zoo. According to the zoo’s event calendar, these birds hail from Chile and there will be approximately 40 of them calling the zoo their new home. On Saturday, the grand opening of the exhibit will feature music, giveaways, and cupcakes! Pink ones, no doubt.

Seeing an ad on a bus this morning while riding to work informed me of the flamingos’ impending arrival. While a visit to the zoo has been long overdue for me regardless, this new exhibit will push me over the edge. The pink birds have always intrigued me and seeing one in person never really seemed possible. This is no longer the case and I’m looking forward to reveling in their pink and long-necked glory!

Visit zoo.org for zoo hours, admission prices, and other events.

Northwest Folklife Festival

From their website:

The Northwest Folklife Festival is the annual free climactic celebration of year-round ethnic, folk, and traditional arts activities produced by Northwest Folklife. The Folklife Festival is Seattle’s unofficial leap into summer, with four days of jam-packed excitement. Artists from the Pacific Northwest along with special guests from throughout the world create an ethnic extravaganza embracing music and dance performances, visual arts and folklore exhibits, hands-on ethnic children’s activities, symposia, dance and music workshops, crafts, food, imported goods, demonstrations of traditional arts, and more! The exuberant tradition of sharing and participation at the Festival encourages exploration and learning between participants and public alike.

Founded in 1972 and sponsored by Northwest Folklife and Seattle Center, Folklife brings together an estimated 250,000 visitors, 1,000 volunteers and more than 7,000 musicians, dancers, tradition bearers and visual artists who contribute their time, talent, and energy.