SEATTLE, WA — Seattle's Fremont Solstice Parade and its related celebrations will not take place this year, due to the coronavirus outbreak. Organizers estimate the annual parade and street festival typically draws more than 100,000 people to Seattle's Fremont neighborhood over two days.

The Fremont Arts Council announced the cancellation in a social media post early Thursday morning, saying the difficult decision was reached after speaking with local leaders. "After assessing the current and projected data related to COVID-19 and hearing from King County Public Health and the Seattle Office of Special Events, the Board of Directors felt the wisest and safest choice for the FAC and the community would be [a] postponement to next year," organizers said.

The arts council said the vast majority of its funding comes from the holiday event and asked those who can to consider paying for a membership or making a donation to bolster a dwindling budget. Organizers said plans to create a virtual celebration were underway, and they are seeking artists, sponsors and volunteers to help make that possible. The Fremont Arts Council said its annual Luminata event, scheduled for September 19th, is expected to take place.

