July happenings

Let's have a parade


Madison Park Days returns next week, beginning with the three-day Sidewalk Sale on Thursday, July 7 and ending with the Children's Parade and Picnic in the Park on Saturday, July 9.  The parade will get underway at noon, with the line-up starting at 11:45 in front of the Wells Fargo Bank branch parking lot.  As those who've attended in past years well know, you better be there on time because the route is short and the march---straight down Madison to the Park---is over quickly.

Children of all ages are encouraged to participate (in costume if so inclined) and to bring along their bikes, pets, and any older relatives who may still be young at heart.  The Picnic which immediately follows the Parade features pizza, hotdogs, beverages, and treats.  Madison Park Days is, as always, sponsored by the Madison Park Business Association.

Fat Salmon is back!

This is the 13th Anniversary year for the Fat Salmon Open Water Swim, a double race along the Lake Washington shoreline, ending at Madison Park Beach.  The straight-line races, to be held this year on Saturday, July 23, will be on a 3.2-mile course initiating at the Day Street Boat Ramp (by the I-90 bridge) and on a 1.2-mile course initiating at Denny-Blaine Park.  Registration for the event closes on July 19.

Although the earliest race begins at 8:30 am, swimmers will be at Madison Park for a pre-race meeting at 7:30 and then be transported to the two starting points.  Although swimmers are encouraged to car pool, there will inevitably be a lot of participants and organizers parking in the neighborhood on the morning of the event.  The races should be over by about 10:30 and will be followed by the ceremonial presentation of fat salmons to the various race winners.  Fat Salmon is hosted by the Green Lake Aqua Ducks Masters' Swim Team.

Calling all artists

Though the event itself is not scheduled until September, the deadline to submit entries to be considered for this year's Madison Park Art Walk is July 31.  Last year's event featured 30 local artists, and hundreds of art aficionados visited the neighborhood's restaurants and shops along E. Madison Street to view the art.  This year the show will open September 9, with a reception at Starbucks, and be on display through September 30.  Madison Park Art Walk invites all artists who live in the "greater Madison Park area" to consider entering their work. Interested artists may contact Barbara Clark (bclark@gmail.com) for a copy of the prospectus and an entry form.

Other happenings

Spa del Lago, which had its "soft opening" in June, officially relaunches in July with a "Grand Re-Opening" during Madison Park Days.  On Saturday and Sunday, July 9 and 10, SdL will provide free samples, offer discounts on products, orchestrate a raffle drawing for spa prizes, and give returning and new patrons both complimentary mini-facials and cosmetic applications.  New co-owner Michael Huynh reports that the place has been remodeled, the kinks and computer glitches have been worked out, and the staff is ready for business. Spa del Lago is located a 1929 43rd Avenue E.

Glow Natural Health Center (2917 E. Madison St.) is sponsoring several events during July, information available here; as is Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy (4130 E. Madison St.), information available here.

[Fat Salmon 2010 photo by Jon Rosen.]