The Center of the Universe

In the Neighborhoods of Seattle

{ Run, Drink, Play! }

Fremont Oktoberfest 

Last weekend was the annual micro-brew festival, Oktoberfest, hosted by the Fremont Chamber of Commerce. 

I ran in the Brew Ha-Ha 5k. You can run the 5k individually, as part of a team, or even in a beer belly division! The run included a t-shirt, an award ceremony, a Race Expo and the MOViN 92.5 rehab party. It was a beautiful Sunday and had the "just right" weather for a run.

So, what better way to quench your thirst after a run? I was lucky enough to attend and check out the 5 beer tents located in the microbrew garden. I got an adorable tasting mug and 8 tasting tokens (well, 9 if you include the extra token I got for signing up for the vinehop e-newsletter). Those tiny tasting mugs are so deceiving and I was feeling a good buzz already after my third taste. I was able to try the Jamaica Red Ale from Mad River Brewing Company, which was delicious! It had a caramel richness with a spicy kick to it. CHEERS! I made it a goal to try a taste at each tent and succeeded. I couldn't resist trying Fremont's own Brewing

 Company, I mean why not? When in Rome, right? I tasted their "Universale"-- a Pale Ale, my preference in microbrews, was what I would call "nom nom nom." In other words, yummy. 

Sunday was dog day. There were dogs everywhere! CityDog

 was holding a contest, "CityDog Cover Dog Model Contest" and "The Simpsons Santa's Little Helper Dog Look-A-Like Contest," I wish I had brought Deuce. The little fat boy could

 have been a star! 

Next year, I plan on attending all 3 days. There are a ton of events going on and heck I am trying to get my beer tasting on. Fremont's Oktoberfest is voted by USAToday and Orbitz.com one of the best places to toast to Oktoberfest! Not to mention, it is all for a good cause. A portion of the proceeds go to funding local schools, art groups, community events, and promoting Fremont as "Center of the Universe"

{ Fremont Sunday Market }

Walking through the Fremont Sunday Market was my first time, but it is held every Sunday rain or shine. It is a street market where you can find a bunch of random and not so random things. It's great and maybe I'm easily amused, but I felt like I had to stop at every tent. I was able to see some really cool hand made

 jewelry, new artists displaying their work, along with antiques, collectables, and some original clothing-- leading me to talk about Subculture Apparel. 

His Space Needle print caught my eye immediately. I liked it so much I had to buy one of his stickers. I didn't catch his name, but he mentioned he started printmaking for his senior project. All of his prints represented the city of Seattle-- the Space Needle with roots growing from it, the Gasworks image, and the Seattle skyline with paint splots as seen from Gasworks park.  The shirts came in different colors and it seems to me that the artist is coming out with more color combinations. From the looks of the myspace site, people even request

color combinations. Pretty sweet. I really like the designs, it's attention grabbing. I don't really find a lot of Seattle shirt designs that I would actually wear, but I would rock his work. Ladies don't fret, he did have women's shirts, too! All shirts are designed and printed in his garage. The shirts are $15 a piece and can be purchased online at www.SubcultureApparel.com.  So help promote this local artist buy wearing his original gear. Represent Seattle! Plus, every order comes with a free sticker. I decorated my MacBook with the sticker I bought. Where will you stick yours? You can also check out Subculture Apparel on Myspace.com/suburbancultureclothing. 

Overall, we had a great time in Fremont. Definitely an artsy neighborhood of Seattle that everyone should check out if they are in the area.