Pike Place Market Announces the 50th Anniversary of ‘Keep the Market’ Celebration

On October 23, join Pike Place Market in celebration of the Market being saved from demolition. Enjoy treasure hunts, live music, craft demonstrations, special gifts and more!

SEATTLE — October 12, 2021 – On October 23, 2021, Pike Place Market is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Market being saved from demolition. Enjoy a variety of Market activities that celebrate the Market we all love today, including special commemorative gifts, craft demonstrations, one-of-a-kind shopping and more!

History of the 50th Celebration:

50 years ago, Pike Place Market was saved by Seattle citizens who voted to keep the Market. This year we are celebrating! We all know the Market today as the Soul of Seattle, a place to shop local and Meet the Producer. It is a 9-acre historic district of one-of-a-kind shops, iconic landmarks, housing, social services and an essential establishment for our locals. It’s hard to imagine the Market not being here, but 50 years ago we almost lost it to a wrecking ball.

In the early 1960s, the Market was a target for urban renewal and extensive demolition. In 1964 the Friends of the Market organization was established to advocate for preserving the Market and protecting it from being destroyed. The Friends undertook a city-wide campaign to “Keep the Market.”

Through the grassroots efforts of Seattle citizen advocates, the “Let’s Keep the Market” initiative was mounted on November 2, 1971, the Seattle community voted to save the Market. This initiative preserved the largest continuously operating public market in the nation and protected not only the Market complex but a community of farmers, small independent businesses, and low-income and elderly residents.

Now 50 years later, we are celebrating our Market and the remarkable community that kept the Market alive and those who keep it strong today. Come enjoy your Market with us by making it a Market day and join us in the celebration.

 

Celebration Activities:

Special Shopping Offer
Spend $50 in the Market and receive a special 50th Anniversary Commemorative Shopping Bag.

Augmented Reality Pop Up Murals
Market artists, Kate Endle and Mallory Milke, created two unique murals that celebrate our Market. These aren’t your regular murals, they are an interactive augmented reality experience. Watch the murals come to life on your phone, then share on Instagram and Facebook!

 Live Music
Market buskers will be performing throughout the event on our iconic Farm Truck

  • 11am – Jeannie Rak
  • 12pm – Greg Paul
  • 1pm – Carly Ann Calbero
  • 2pm – Kevin Buster, Robin Kallsen & Rich Hinrichsen
  • 3pm – Sofia Mae & Aaron Harmonson

Pin the Tale on the Market Treasure Hunt
Participate in a treasure hunt to collect commemorative enamel pins & a chance to win Delta Air Lines tickets.

 Cooking Demos
Market farmers, Windy Acre Farm will host several cooking demos on the MarketFront Pavilion.

 Live Mural Painting
Watch as Market artist, Rosie Ferne creates a mural with a special twist on historic images of citizens advocating for the Market 50 years ago.

Leave Your Mark on the Market
Design your own picketing sign or Market message in the DownUnder level of the Market, then paste it on the free speech wall.

Market History Tours
Join the Friends of the Market on a free tour to learn more about the Market. Tours start at 9am on the hour until 4pm.

Event Website – PikePlaceMarket.org/50thCelebration

Market Documentary, “Labor of Love: The Fight to Save Pike Place Market”
Pike Place Market has also teamed up with KOMO TV to create a new documentary about the fight to save Pike Place Market. The documentary aires on October 16 with four additional air dates:

  • Premiere: Saturday, October 16 at 9:00pm
  • Sunday, November 7 at 3:30pm
  • Friday, November 26 at 9:00am
  • Friday, November 26 at 5:30pm
  • Saturday, December 25 at 9:30pm

The Market Foundation will also be holding documentary screenings at the Market’s Unexpected Productions during the celebration (masks and proof of vaccination required). Learn More

 

Let’s Stay Healthy

Per Washington State guidelines, Pike Place Market requires shoppers to wear masks throughout the Market regardless of vaccination status. Masks are available at the Visit Seattle Information Booth, which is open daily starting at 10am. For your convenience, the Market has three public handwashing stations and four restrooms. When walking through the Market please try and maintain social distancing.

 

Parking Has Never Been Easier

Parking is available in the Public Market Parking Garages (Two entrances on Western Ave 1531 Western Ave. and at 1901 Western Ave.), with direct elevator access to the MarketFront and Desimone Bridge entrances to the Market. The garage has over 800 covered parking spots and nine electric charging stations. Details here

  • Early Bird Rate Flat $10: Enter one of our below garage entrances by 9 a.m. and exit any time before 9 p.m.
  • Evening Rate Flat $5: Enter one of our below garage entrances after 5 p.m. and exit by 2 a.m.
  • Low Hourly Rate:$4 per hour up to the first 4 hours

Don’t forget to download the Market’s free digital book filled with Market stories, historic images and information on how the Market operates today.

 

Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority PDA – The nine-acre historic district is maintained and operated by the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA), a nonprofit public corporation created by the City of Seattle in 1973. The PDA supports the Market’s remarkable community by increasing farm and food retailing opportunities, supporting small and marginal businesses, and providing services for low-income individuals. In addition, PDA helps protect the essence of the Market by preserving, rehabilitating and maintaining the buildings within the Market. http://pikeplacemarket.org/

 

Please let us know if you are interested in coming on-site to film.

 

 

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Media Contact

Pike Place Market PDA
Madison Bristol – Marketing and Public Relations Manager

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