Though we’re taking a break from the crazy heat and having a cool day today, this weekend was filled with high temperatures and summer photo ops.

At the Queen Anne Farmers Market Thursday afternoon kids escaped the whopping 97 degree heat by playing in the sprinklers.

And adults made eco-friendly smoothies, blending the fruit-filled mixed drinks with cycle power.

On Saturday families gathered to march in and watch the Queen Anne Children’s Parade, with Queen Anne Cub Scouts Troop 70/72 leading the way.

(Photo provided by scout mom and QA Chamber of Commerce representative Mary Chapman).

Do you have pictures of Queen Anne-ers enjoying the summer fun this weekend? Send them to tips@queenanneview.com to share!

This week might end up being one of the hottest Queen Anne Farmers Markets to date (with temperatures estimated to reach a high of 92 degrees!) but that won’t stop us from enjoying fresh food, live music and some outdoor festivities! It’s Family Day at the market this week, so there will be lots of fun games and extra goodies for all ages. Check out the schedule for the market this Thursday, July 8:

• 3 to 7 p.m.—Dress up and strike a pose at the vintage photo booth. (And as if that weren’t enough, vegetable props will also be available.)
• 4 p.m.—Chef Demo with Kaspar Donier of Kaspar’s Special Events and Catering
• 5 p.m.—Book Signing with Edible Heirlooms: Heritage Vegetables for the Maritime Garden author Bill Thorness
• 5 to 7 p.m.—Music performance by Snake Suspenderz
• 5 to 7 p.m.—Facepainting for the kids (in true summer fashion) with Emi Halvorson and Kristina Doherty
• 6 p.m.—Chef Demo with Emmer and Rye‘s Seth Caswell

QueenAnneView is the featured sponsor this week, while the Queen Anne Helpline is the featured nonprofit.

As always, the Queen Anne Farmers Market will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on W Crockett St. at Queen Anne Ave N.

It’s true when they say that summer doesn’t start around here until after the 4th of July. Well it’s July 6th and summer is here. Right on time.

The 5-day forecast from King5.com

Cliff Mass explains why there is a sudden shift in the weather pattern, “Two reasons: high pressure aloft is producing general sinking and warming of air (by compression) is the first. And there is easterly flow developing over the Cascades, which produces enhanced sinking (warming) on the western slopes.” You can read his entire explanation, complete with maps highlighting the weather over the next few days, on his blog.

Expectations for tonight’s Independence Day fireworks range from neutral to downright gloomy.

The National Weather Service is predicting fairly good weather north and south of Seattle, but a Puget Sound Convergence Zone may set up directly over Lake Union, with up to a 60 percent chance of showers.

Cliff Mass, University of Washington professor of atmospheric sciences, says on his blog that he’s taking an umbrella to watch the fireworks.

But, he reminds us that once July 4 is done and gone, “then the miracle occurs. Like a switch being flipped, our weather warms dramatically. The lawns turn brown and watering our vegetables and plants is mandatory. The best weather in the nation takes hold for roughly 2-3 months.”

In fact, beginning Monday afternoon the skies clear. Temperatures in the mid-80s are expected by late week.

This weekend is Fremont’s biggest event of the year, the Solstice Parade and Fair. Over its long history, the event has grown from a funky neighborhood gathering to a region-wide party that’s expected to attract close to 100,000 people. The parade itself kicks off at noon on Saturday from N. 36th and Leary, travels through the heart of Fremont, and ends at Gas Works Park in Wallingford.

Photo above from 2009 Solstice Parade

In addition to the parade, which kicks off with the famous naked bicyclists, you’ll find plenty of other things to do.  Here’s a sampling:

Live bands: Musical entertainment from 39 different bands on three different stages over the entire weekend.  Here’s the band lineup.

Solstice Celebration in Gas Works Park: Organizers promise art installations, bands, non-profit booths, food vendors, and a beer garden.

Fremont Abbey Arts for All: Painting, interactive sculptures, sidewalk chalking, live music at the Rocket Block next to the Big Purple Slide.

Seattle Art Car Blowout: 75 decorated cars in the Burke Building parking lot. Here’s the “ChewBaru” from last year’s show.

Cabiri Performance Troupe on Daedalus: Daedalus is a fully freestanding aluminum aerial dance stage.  Five performances will feature dancers from The Cabiri performance troupe.

Shakespeare on The Troll: Selected scenes from the Bard’s most famous and beloved plays in front of the Troll.

And keep an eye out for a booth collecting donations for the families involved in the deadly fire last weekend. You’ll find a map of the vendors and entertainment here.  You can also visit the fair’s official website.

The fair runs from 10am to 8pm on Saturday, and 11am to 6pm on Sunday.  Our sister site Fremont Universe will have full coverage throughout the weekend on its site as well as on its Twitter and Facebook accounts.