In Seattle At The Fremont Fair's Solstice Parade On My Bike Covered In Body Paint

Today, June 21, 2014 is the Solstice, also known as the First Day of Summer.

Since today is the Summer Solstice the Fremont Solstice Parade is taking place in the Independent Republic of Fremont, located in Seattle.

The Fremont Solstice Parade is known for its hundreds of bike riders riding in various states of undress.

The screencap you see here is from the Wikipedia article about the Fremont Solstice Parade.

The Wikipedia article dances daintily around the naked bike riding aspect of the Fremont Solstice Parade, simply saying, "The parade is famous for its wild and creative floats and ensembles and for the Solstice Cyclists, who strip down before the parade and paint their bodies, who unofficially start the parade every year."

The Solstice Parade is just one event in the three day Fremont Fair which opened Friday, June 20, closing Sunday, June 22.

Above is a screencap from the Fremont Fair website. On the Fremont Fair website you can find the answer to just about any question you might have regarding the Fremont Fair.

I found the following interest tidbits of information....

The event, a celebration of Fremont's "delibertas quirkas" (freedom to be peculiar) culture, is comprised of three free-spirited traditions: the Solstice Fair, the Solstice Parade, and the inaugural Solstice Concert Series. Where else can you find a massive stone troll, Lenin statue, and a dismantled rockets nestled among a thriving neighborhood of business and pleasure.

What is the etiquette with body paint?

We won’t deny it. The Fremont Fair and Solstice Parade are partially famous for body-painted bicyclists and revelers who magically appear every year and make this event truly one of a kind.

If you are one of the body painted participants, PLEASE NOTE:

The Fremont restaurants and bars greatly appreciate if you can carry a towel with you to place on the chair/booth while you dine and drink. If you don’t, they are left scrubbing body paint from booths for weeks to come, which is a mess and can permanently damage décor. They love to have you in their establishments, but please be respectful of their furnishings if you have paint that may rub off.

Remember that many families do attend the Fair, with small children in tow. While Fair-goers typically wholly embrace the free spirit of the event, when planning your costume/paint scheme, please be considerate of a child’s eye level in conjunction with potential painted body parts that may be exposed. Rude and obscene behavior at the Fremont Fair will not be tolerated and individuals will be asked to leave.

So, don't forget to bring a towel and don't forget to strategically consider a child's eye level regarding what needs to be adequately covered with body paint....