Seattle‘s Georgetown neighbourhood has got it going on. It could justifiably lay claim to being the oldest neighbourhood in Seattle; the Collins party settled there in 1851 two days after the Denny party settled on Alki Point, but the houses in Georgetown prevailed unlike those on Alki which were blown away by winter storms that first year. I have been remiss in not exploring Georgetown earlier, but last weekend when I heard about the Georgetown Carnival, I made my way down to this quirky little part of town and promptly fell in love.
My first stop was the Georgetown Trailer Park Mall; a Saturday market that operates almost every weekend out of tiny little old caravans lined up along the back of a car park. The place was packed with shoppers on the hunt for local art, vintage clothing and antiques and the trailers were jumbled troves of treasure just waiting to be discovered.
With the carnival in full swing, I wandered the streets, popping into tiny little stores and delectable coffee shops along the way. Georgetown has a deliciously shabby chic feel to it; Bohemian with a sprinkle of Goth. I loved it; everywhere I looked there was something unusual to feast my eyes upon, from a distinctly old-fashioned photo-shoot…
…to a rooftop-bound scooter.
But the highlight of the day was a rather unusual carnival event, now in its eighth year, which has become the stuff of legend around this way – the Hazard Factory Power Tool Drag Races. Rather than tossing defunct electrical appliances unceremoniously in the garbage, the good citizens of Seattle prefer to give their power tools a farewell moment of glory by decking them out for the carnival and racing them against each other. Chainsaws went head to head with electric guitars on wheels and kitchen mixers did battle with souped-up barbecues for a chance to win an elusive and sought-after trophy.
The power tool drag race trophy table
Here are a few of my favourite contenders.
It was one of the funniest, silliest things I’ve witnessed in a long time and judging by the cheers and gales of laughter from the hoards of people watching, I wasn’t the only one having a ridiculous amount of fun. Would you like to some of those power tools in action? Here’s a 50 second video compilation of the event – I saved the best for last. For what it’s worth, my money was on the vacuum cleaner…
Georgetown, I love you!
xxx Ailsa
For more on Seattle, check out The Endangered Pergola of Pioneer Square, Seattle Central Library, Trolls and Billy Goats, Seattle Gum Wall and Sleepless in Duwamps.
Where's my backpack? 
I love those mountains of silliness that tickle communities into expanded communities! And great to see those pre-loved ‘appliances’ getting one final moment in the sun. Lovely walk about, Ailsa 🙂
I never expected a bunch of appliances flying down a track to be so much fun. I had tears of laughter rolling down my cheeks. 🙂
I want, nay need, to get to that trailer park (words I thought would never flow from my finger tips).
Haha, I shall probably run into you there, Mrs C – I’m all about the trailer park mall. 🙂
So wonderful captured… 🙂 😉
Thanks Drake, those power tools were pretty difficult to capture on video – the fast ones, at any rate! 🙂
A trailer park mall. I had never heard of one before. Very interesting to look at.
It was a first for me too, Colline 🙂
How truly bizarre!!
I just adore bizarre, Tina, don’t you? 🙂
The Vacuum cleaner wins for – well, falling off my chair and laughing!
I did the same thing! It looked so noble next to the toaster oven and chainsaw, but oh, so slow! 🙂
Yes, but like most women it was doing two things at once… loved that one too!
I like that idea, put a racing slick on my circular saw, invent a trigger squeezer and let ‘er go!
I like those old trailers too.
I’m hatching plans for a hairdryer-propelled hovercraft as we speak! 😉
I can’t believe I didn’t know about the Trailer Park Mall! Thanks for the tip Alisa. 🙂
Lisa
Definitely check it out, Lisa, it’s a lot of fun! 🙂
I have a friend who lives in Seattle, and I sent this to her. I’m curious if she has ever heard about the Trailer Park Mall, and if not, she NEEDS to visit!
I’m pretty sure everyone needs to visit, Marilyn, it’s just too much fun! Let your friend know (and tell her to take you with her when you come to visit!) 🙂
lmao@power tools, I rooted for the vacuum!!! I’ve never seen the trailer park thing, how cute.
I would LOVE to visit this place.
The new thing in up scale flea markets. That’s gotta be a Left Coast thing. 🙂
I just LOVE how you find all these quirky places to show us Ailsa. That vacuum looked so stately making it’s way down the track. Long may the carnival live on
That was a brilliant laugh! Power tool racing…. It should be on ESPN!
Hilarious! Wonderful how these Seattlites can get fun out of anything. I even heard of their winter ‘snow-walking’ strictly for the fun of it whilst we were negotiating a track down these here hills to buy a loaf of bread!
Enjoy how you find places to visit – and the history of same. Now excuse me…I wish to re-view your video…