With the sun shining and the sky clear, It can only mean one thing: it’s time for the arts fairs in Downtown Bellevue.
From Friday, July 23 through Sunday, July 25, Bellevue will become the host to a trio of art fairs. The lineup includes the BAM artsfair, Bellevue Festival of the Arts and the 6th Street Fair. All three fairs are free to the public and together feature more than 600 artists, capturing the spirit of arts and crafts in a variety of mediums.
In addition, there will be live musical performances, food and beverage vendors and interactive, hands on art projects throughout the weekend.
A look at the fairs
BAM artsfair
Location: At Bellevue Square outdoor parking garage
Info: www.bellevuearts.org
The 64th annual Bellevue Arts Museum artsfair sets up shop on the ground level of Bellevue Square’s west parking garage and features arts and crafts by 325 juried exhibitors. Browse the outdoor booths to discover handmade furniture, glass, jewelry, metal work, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, wearable and wood.
“Traditionally, the BAM artsfair has primarily been a Northwest show, but with the work of museum’s executive director Michael Monroe and other volunteers, the artsfair has quickly grown to attract renowned artists from all over the country,” explained Meredith Langridge Anderson, the BAM artsfair Producer.
The Bellevue Arts Museum receives more than 1,000 applications from artists each year and selects about a third of those to show at the artsfair.
“Artists come from near and far to show their work in Bellevue,” Anderson said. “We’ve built a quality reputation. It’s very exciting.”
For the little tykes, Bellevue Arts Museum also presents the kidsfair, sponsored by Overlake Hospital Medical Center. The three-day event combines education and fun through hands-on activities. The public can also take advantage of free admission to the museum throughout the weekend of the artsfair.
Bellevue Festival of the Arts
Location: Cost Plus World Market, 10300 NE Eighth St.
Info: www.bellevuefest.org
If you want to get crafty, venture across the way to the Cost Plus World Market parking lot for the Bellevue Festival of the Arts. The arts and crafts fair is celebrating its 26th year and features 180 popular artisans and craftspeople from the Northwest and beyond. Produced by the Craft Cooperative of the Northwest, a percentage of proceeds raised at the festival benefits local charities.
The 6th Street Fair
Location: Northeast Sixth Street and 106th Avenue Northeast
Info: www.bellevuedowntown.org
To soak up some sweet sounds in the outdoor summer weather, stroll to the 6th Street Fair in the heart of downtown and catch live entertainment by jazz, blues and rock musicians. Beyond the live performance stage, the fair features original work by more than 140 artists including sculpture, jewelry, home décor, wood and glass work, fabrics and more.
There will also be hands-on activities for kids and a variety of food offerings including gyros, Philly cheese steaks, German bratwurst, crepes, Thai cuisine and much more.
Hours
The BAM artsfair: Friday/Saturday – 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday- 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Other two fairs: Friday/Saturday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.;
Sunday- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Street Closures
100th Avenue Northeast, from Northeast Eighth Street to Northeast 10th Street, will be closed in the southbound direction from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 22, and from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 25.
102nd Avenue Northeast, from Northeast Eighth Street to Northeast 10th Street, will be closed in both directions from 7 a.m. Friday, July 23, to 11 p.m. Sunday, July 25.
106th Avenue Northeast, from Northeast Fourth Street to Northeast Sixth Street, will be closed in both directions from 6 p.m. Thursday, July 22, to 11 p.m. Sunday, July 25.
Northeast Sixth Street, from Bellevue Way to 106th Avenue Northeast, will be closed in both directions from 6 p.m. Thursday, July 22, to 11 p.m. Sunday, July 25.
Northeast 10th Street, from 106th Avenue Northeast to 108th Avenue Northeast, will be closed in the westbound direction from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 22.
Best bus routes:
Buses can take visitors to the Bellevue Transit Center downtown from four area park-and-rides: South Bellevue (2700 Bellevue Way SE), Eastgate (14200 SE Eastgate Way), South Kirkland (10610 NE 38th Pl.) and Kingsgate (1300 116th Way NE).
For routes and schedules, go to www.kingcounty.gov/metro or www.soundtransit.org.
Lindsay Larin can be reached at 425-453-4602.
