Syttende Mai Parade and events today in Ballard

Today is the 17th of May (Syttende Mai) and Norwegian Heritage Day, meaning Ballard will be full of Scandinavian pride and hip, hip, hurras all day.

There are plenty of events happening in Ballard today, culminating in the parade through downtown Ballard at 6 p.m. This year, the event will also be live-streamed for those who can’t make it.

  • 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Bergen Place Musical Entertainment (5450 22nd Ave NW). Hosts Lori Ann Reinhall and Eric Stavney with Nordic musical guests. Guest of honor will be Adrian Diaz, Seattle’s Chief of Police, speaking at 4:30 p.m.
  • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: National Nordic Museum (2655 NW Market St). Children’s activities include Fjord Horses and the Nordic Express Train.
  • 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Gala Luncheon at the National Nordic Museum: Check in at 11:30 a.m. for a full-course Norwegian banquet lunch with Grand Marshal Gry Rabe Henriksen, Norwegian Consul General from San Francisco. Tickets are available in advance online or at Mountain Pacific Bank (2244 NW 56th St).
  • 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: 17th of May Ballard Parade. The parade starts at NW 62nd St and 24th Ave NW, travels south until NW Market St, then east to 22nd Ave NW, south to Ballard Ave NW, and finishes at Ballard Ave and Ione.

The city will close the streets for the parade starting at 3:30 p.m.

King County Metro reroutes

Route 17

King County Metro Route 17 to Sunset Hill will be rerouted off a portion of NW Market St from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The affected bus stops will include:

  • Stop #18740 NW Market St and Ballard Ave NW (westbound): Metro says to get on/off bus at Stop #14200 15th Ave NW and NW Leary Way (northbound)
  • Temporary stop at Shilshole Ave NW and 22nd Ave NW (northbound)
  • Stop #18760 NW Market St and 28th Ave NW (westbound)

Route 44

Route 44 will be rerouted in both directions off a portion of NW Market Street from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Affected stops:

  • Stop #29700 NW Market Street & 15th Avenue NW (Westbound)
  • Stop #29720 NW Market Street & 20th Avenue NW (Westbound)
  • Stop #18740 NW Market Street & Ballard Avenue NW (Westbound)
  • Stop #18120 NW Market Street & Ballard Avenue NW (Eastbound)
  • Stop #29213 NW Market Street & 20th Avenue NW (Eastbound)

For Route 44 to Ballard get on/off buses at:

  • Stop #29680 NW Market Street & 11th Avenue NW (Westbound)
  • The temporary stop on 15th Avenue NW just south of NW Market Street (Southbound)
  • The temporary stop on Shilshole Avenue NW & 22nd Avenue NW (Northbound)
  • Stop #18760 NW Market Street & 28th Avenue NW (Westbound)
  • Photo: Bruce Johnson / Rowland Studios

For Route 44 to UW Medical Center get on/off buses at:

  • Stop #18100 NW Market Street & 28th Avenue NW (Eastbound)
  • The temporary stop on Shilshole Avenue NW & 22nd Avenue NW (Southbound)
  • The temporary stop on Shilshole Avenue NW just north of NW Dock Place (Southbound)
  • The temporary stop on 17th Avenue NW just north of NW 48th Street (Northbound)
  • Stop #29215 NW Market Street & 15th Avenue NW (Eastbound)

Photo: Bruce Johnson / Rowland Studios