The story behind Seattle's naked Solstice cyclists
More than 30 years ago, a few naked bicyclists crashed the Fremont Solstice Parade — an unsanctioned stunt that has grown into one of Seattle's signature summer spectacles.
Why it matters: The body-painted riders are a symbol of the city's expressive, offbeat spirit, kicking off a summer parade known for giant puppets, dancers and DIY art.
About 1,000 nude cyclists are expected to ride ahead of Saturday's parade.
Catch up quick: The Fremont Solstice Parade debuted in 1989, greeting summer with a burst of artistic flair. Local news accounts place the first streakers-on-wheels in the early '90s.
Flashback: In 1993, a Seattle Times writer quipped that the "buck-naked cyclists" may have "crossed the boundary of good taste — but at least one wore a helmet, proof Seattleites "can get wild, but not too wild."
Yes, but: The city wasn't always amused. In 1998, police arrested two riders.
In 1999 and 2001, city officials asked the Fremont Arts Council to post signs along the route warning that indecent exposure could lead to arrest.
The council declined — and, as The Seattle Times put it, "the nude cyclists rode unmolested and unarrested into summer."
Between the lines: The colorful body paint was part of a compromise that helped the city relent, Maque daVis of the Fremont Arts Council wrote in an emailed statement shared with Axios.
The idea was "that if the cyclists were painted and became 'art,' they could ride as part of the parade," daVis wrote.
The Solstice Cyclists now ride ahead of the parade — a collaboration that involves planning calls on Zoom and "ride guides" to help keep cyclists on course, Ethan Bradford, a longtime organizer of the cyclists, told Axios.
What they're saying: While the ride itself "is always exciting and fun," getting together in advance to get painted is "actually the best part," said Bradford, a retired software programmer who first rode nude in 2007.
Those "paint parties" involve hours of bonding — and sometimes, helping color each others' backs.
"I tell people, it will be the highlight of your life," Bradford said. "It will be out of your comfort zone."
But, he added, "It doesn't seem naked when you're all painted."
What's next: This year's parade begins at 1pm Saturday, with the nude cyclists expected to roll through around 12:45pm.
After the flash of body paint and bare skin, about 60 ensembles will parade down North 36th Street, including stilt walkers, costumed dance troupes and handmade floats.
It corresponds with the two-day Fremont Fair, featuring a craft market, live music, food and a dog parade.
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