Friends of Waterfront Seattle brought the community out to Pier 62 for Pier Party, a fundraiser for the work being done by the organization as part of their expansive goal to create space for all of Seattle to enjoy the waterfront which raised nearly $200,000. The rain stopped no one as Back2Besa host Besa Gordon was there and connected with community members, fans, and dignitaries like King County Council Member Girmay Zahilay, Friends of Waterfront CEO Joy Shigaki, and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell.

“Activating downtown means a lot,” Zahilay said. “We have so many issues facing our downtown - this is the core and the heart of our city and we want to make sure people are coming down here and experiencing joy.”

The goal of the Waterfront Park is to fill the 20 acre plot of land stretching from the Pier to Lumen Field with public resources and spaces prior to its official opening in 2025.

“The rains and winds couldn’t keep out the sheer joy of being together in this civic space with an incredibly curated, designed, and activated Pier for an amazing experience, the beauty and awe of the waterfront and Salish Sea, the importance of how we of our work alongside community and partners, and why we do what we do,” FWS CEO Joy Shigaki said.

Friends of Waterfront Public Programs Manager Brianna Browne said that she wanted the event to bring broad slice of Seattle to the pier, just as she hopes the pier serves everyone in the city. Music for the night included a set by Seattle DJ’s Tuxedo, local businesses were represented, and Converge Media’s Art Queen Takiyah ‘TDUB’ Ward hosted a sneaker gallery in concert with Friends’ ask that everyone where their favorite shoes.

“Many people haven’t come down to the waterfront to experience this extraordinary view,” Shigaki said. “It’s a reminder of what this park will be for locals and to rediscover the waterfront and downtown.”

For Ward, the event was a chance for her and Vivid Matter Collective to showcase their work and inspire others to create and express themselves by hosting a mini skill shop where visitors could do art on cutouts of sneakers.

Gordon also stopped by Brown Liquor Cocktail Company to try one of Soulma Ayers’ custom cocktails, and chatted with Brown Liquor co-owner Damon Bomar.

“I’ve been down here at the pier all summer serving up drinks,” Bomar said. “It’s been a revitalization of Seattle. There’s always a party every Thursday and this is a real good way to cap off the summer.”

The pier continues to host programming and offer free access to the Seattle’s waterfront year-round. You can see more at their website: https://waterfrontparkseattle.org/

This segment originally aired on Back2Besa with Besa Gordon. Make sure to tune in every Saturday at 10:30 pm on FOX 13 Seattle and stream the replay Sunday at 10 am on FOX 13+.

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