WELCOME BACK SEATTLE EVENTS:
BRINGING NEW LIFE TO DOWNTOWN WITH DSA
THE CHALLENGE:
We were approached by the Downtown Seattle Association in 2021 with concepting, organizing and executing two free public events as a portion of their summer-long “Welcome Back” series. The timing was especially critical as the city was still in the throes of a rocky reopening from the Covid-19 pandemic, and these events were to be in-person activation in two underutilized downtown city parks. We had to come up with fun (but safe) activities and entertainment that would bring people out to Westlake and Occidental Parks on two different days during the summer.
Welcome Back Seattle was an ongoing series to reinvigorate a hard-hit downtown as businesses began to reopen their doors following a tough 2020.
OUR APPROACH:
The initial hurdle for producing these two unique events was coming up with a special draw for each that would entice people to come and enjoy the parks on the days of. We wanted to bring an experience to each that would work in these outdoor settings, provide entertainment you couldn’t find elsewhere, and fit into the footprints we would be activating in each park. Above all we didn’t want these events to compete with one another. Each would receive unique treatment with different themes, programming and audiences.
PETS IN THE PARK:
Our first concept was for activating Occidental Park in the Pioneer Square neighborhood. The crux of the idea was to make a pet-friendly space for people to stroll through and enjoy with their dogs (or other pets). We would feature a central spectacle encircled by a small market containing local vendors and pet-related nonprofits giving out information to the attendees.
Eric and Jet from the Rainier Agility Team provided a show for the attendees with a fast-paced obstacle course that was opened up for public use after the amazing display. MCs Donnatella Howe and Sativa Queen engaged the audience with raffles for prizes, and hosted a doggy drag show for the pets who wanted to strut their stuff in the fun costumes that were provided. DJ Marco Collins kept the tunes going throughout the day which brought even more life the party.
WESTLAKE JAMBOREE:
For Westlake Park we went in a different direction, while still using the familiar template from Pets in the Park. Westlake Jamboree was envisioned as a family-friendly engagement for people to bring their kids for arts and crafts and large format games in the plaza. We invited vendors to sell their wares and give the park a central promenade as a focal point for visitors.
The main attraction this time was a temporary rollerskating rink installed by DSA at the north end of the park, where people could rent skates and zoom around to the music. We reimagined it as a breakdance floor however, and invited local legends Massive Monkees to perform a set in the middle of the day, which attracted a great crowd. They even invited some of the young onlookers to learn some new moves!
OUTCOME:
Attendance was bigger at Pets in the Park than at Westlake Jamboree, though both days saw good crowds coming through to check out the events. Vendors sold plenty of goods and excited for future opportunities to do something like this again at both events. DSA was thrilled with the turnout and programming that we brought in, which made our efforts planning and setting everything up well worth it.
Visitors had fun dressing up their dogs and taking photos at the photo booth, as well as trying out the obstacle course at Pets in the Park. Kids made crafts at Westlake and played giant Connect Four and ping pong in the plaza. All in all we were proud to have put these events on and look forward continuing these new traditions in the years to come! We greatly enjoyed restoring active programming and fun, safe environments to these two amazing public spaces in downtown Seattle.
