Pioneer Square Fest 2024: Celebrating Music, Art, and Community in Seattle
Photos by Jordan Somers of the 2023 Pioneer Square Fest
By Emma Schwichtenberg
The countdown is on for the highly anticipated 2024 Pioneer Square Fest, set to ignite historic Pioneer Square on July 5th-6th. Event organizer Lloyd Gregory has spent months helping plan the event, which aims to bring business back to the area while offering a weekend filled with music, art, and community activities.
Pioneer Square Fest 2024 will feature 20 local artisans and businesses at park vendor booths, offering a variety of crafts and culinary delights. Across three stages, 24 live bands will perform diverse musical genres, catering to all musical tastes. With continuous live entertainment on three event stages throughout the weekend, attendees can expect a lively and engaging experience at the festival.
The event starts with Friday night's live music at Golden Roosters and DJs at various locations. Attendees can also explore a vibrant night market set around select venues and stores. Saturday's lineup includes an art market and live music in Occidental Square, followed by evening performances at Golden Rooster and Central Saloon, complemented by additional street vendors throughout the area.
"This year, we're going to have more activities in the neighborhood to showcase new venues and restaurants," Gregory said. "To make it even more exciting, the wristbands we're selling will provide discounts at multiple locations around Pioneer Square. We wanted to give visitors to Seattle a reason to stay in Pioneer Square all weekend. So far, so good – I sold 14 wristbands in one order to a family in Canada."
The festival offers different ticket options: the $30 All Access Pass includes entry to all events without cover charges, discounts at Pioneer Square venues, and an event map. For a VIP experience at $100, attendees get all All Access Pass benefits plus a stylish badge, VIP event access, and seating. Students can buy the pass for $20, enjoying the same benefits plus student discounts around Pioneer Square.
Since its inception, Gregory pointed out that Pioneer Square Fest has seen significant growth, expanding to three times its size compared to last year, marking a notable evolution. What sets this year apart is the introduction of wristbands, designed to offer a unique value proposition for both locals and vacationers. Gregory has ensured their efforts in showcasing Pioneer Square through inclusive programming that engages the entire community, aiming to highlight the neighborhood's vibrant offerings and encourage visitors to explore and enjoy the festival throughout the weekend.
"I created a lot of great relationships with artists last year, and a couple from the Seattle live music scene, Rein Laik and Ruby Romero, reached out interested in helping," Gregory said. "They both have really solid relationships with even more artists, and once the word went out that we were going to organize a festival in Pioneer Square, bands started lining up wanting to support it."
Local artists and musicians play a pivotal role in shaping the festival experience, driving its essence while Gregory facilitates their participation. Reflecting on the previous year, Gregory aimed to provide a platform for these artists who had previously performed together discreetly, enabling them to showcase their talents to a broader audience. Collaborating closely with them, Gregory curated the lineup based on their preferences and collaborations, fostering an environment where their creativity and camaraderie could shine.
"I think they are going to be the special magic sprinkles on the event," Gregory said. "I'm hoping the street vendors will add to the excitement by providing color and variety to the neighborhood. Working with the businesses to create incentives for people to come down has been a lot of fun too. It's hard to say how much visitors will pick up on Friday and Saturday night, but the park will look fantastic and be brimming with vendors and music."
During Pioneer Square Fest, organizers plan to feature a variety of food vendors in Occidental Square Park, encouraging attendees to explore local culinary offerings throughout the neighborhood. Particularly on Saturday, coinciding with National Fried Chicken Day, the festival will spotlight different chicken specialties. Highlights include Korean Fried Chicken from Golden Roosters, Vietnamese Fried Chicken from Saigon Drip, Thai Fried Chicken from Super Kim's Crabhouse, and American Fried Chicken from Cookie’s Country Chicken.
Regarding the music at the festival, Pioneer Square Fest, led by Black women, presents an exciting two-day lineup showcasing diverse musical talent. Friday begins with performances at Golden Roosters by Flesh Produce, Klesa, and more. Saturday's lineup includes TezaTalks, Batchild, and Saint Deon at Occidental Square Park, with evening concerts continuing at Golden Roosters and Central Saloon. Occidental Square Park will host free concerts throughout both days, alongside DJ sets by renowned artists such as Wax Witch/RepoMan and DJ Priestess.
Gregory hopes that the festival will continue to have a positive impact on the neighborhood, which is already thriving, by attracting more residents who can appreciate its unique charm.
“Come to Pioneer Square and explore,” Gregory said. “From the lineup of restaurants to the lineup of performers, there will be something for every taste.”
For more information and updates, visit PioneerSquareFest.com.
