The Northwest Freethought Coalition (NWFC) is celebrating Independence Day and the arrival of summer with its 5th annual potluck picnic. NWFC group members, friends, and area freethinkers are invited to this all-day event on Sunday, July 4, 2010. Last year’s picnic drew about 200 people. The family-friendly picnic begins at 1 pm and runs into the evening. There will be a raffle and games, including bocce. Food served from 1 to 3 pm; cleanup starts at 5 pm. Bring your family, some frisbees, a blanket, sunscreen, and a picnic-friendly dish to share!

NWFC member groups include Humanists of Washington, Seattle Atheists, Tacoma Atheists, Humanists of North Puget Sound, University Unitarian Humanists, Ethical Culture Society of Puget Sound, Secular Jewish Circle of Puget Sound, Freethinkers’ United Network, Eastside Atheists/Agnostics Meetup, and various Atheist, Humanist and Brights Meetup groups.  Humanists of Washington is leading the event planning. Please contact HOW president Jerry Schiffelbein if you would like to volunteer.

Donate blood at any Puget Sound Blood Center. A group donation with dinner to follow will be held at the Bellevue donation center. Contact Jerry for more info. Visit PSBC for blood center hours and locations.

Thank you to everyone at Pride. Your overwhelming attitude of love and inclusion was an inspiration to everyone! And, thank you to all of our volunteers, and pirates for making Seattle Pride so memorable! The Flying Spaghetti Monster was once again welcomed with open arms, and His followers rejoiced.

Thanks to Amanda, Andrew, Becky, Brit, Casey, Daniel, Deanna, Eric, Gypsy,  Hannah, JC (no, not that JC), Jennifer, Jennifer, Jerry, Kami, Kyle, Laurie, Lexie, Matt, Michael, Michele, Naomi, Neth, Obie, Parlan, Vulka, Ranjan, Rich, the intrepid and brave Pirates of the North Pacific, Randy, Simon, Susan, and all other pastafarians!

DETAILED INFORMATION:

At 9 a.m., we will begin to unload and assemble the FSM at our position. You are welcome to come early and help. Parade line-up is at 3rd Ave. NW and NW 36th St. in Fremont. The registration table is located near Praxair. That is where you will go for lost children or emergency assistance.

Plan for crowds and poor/impossible parking. Allow enough time to get to the staging location and get into costume before the briefing and rehearsal. Make sure kids have snacks and water, and use the potty before the launch. It can get hot. The parade is 1.3 miles, but will seem much longer.

When you assemble at the start, at 10 a.m. sharp, look for the FSM, and gather near Him.

• 10 a.m.: SHARP! All pirates assemble and go over the routine
• 11 a.m.: Everyone should be in costume and ready to go.
• 11:30 a.m.: A single horn will sound signaling street closure
• 11:45 a.m.: A double horn will sound (“ready!”)
• Noon: Solstice Parade begins

Everyone listen to Case and Becky, who will instruct you on what to do during the parade. They are the parade leaders!! Be sure to gather up all your items, and don’t lose anything in the mad rush at the start! There will be volunteers with water and fruit at the halfway point at the Fremont Bridge.PARADE LOGISTICS

Please keep a two-car distance between us and the ensemble ahead of us. If the parade slows or stops, keep up the activity, but do not crowd or attempt to pass the ensemble ahead of us. If the parade speeds up, please do your best to keep up.

For help along the way, orange-vested parade monitors are available. If a monitor asks you to do something, please do it.

At the end of the parade, help move the FSM out of the way in the float parking area, marked by flags. Listen to parking directions. After securing the FSM, there will be a FAC hospitality booth with free snacks and water, as well as food booths and a beer garden (bring money for those).

General reminders about the parade (violators will walk the plank):

• No written words
• No live animals
• No motorized vehicles
• No real weapons or fire

Just remember, don’t bring any REAL swords or guns, leave your LIVE parrot at home, and be logo-free/word-free per Fremont Solistice Parade rules.  See you this weekend!

A word about costumes:

Some of you have asked about pirate costumes.  Party stores, dollar stores, and craft stores almost always have pirate-themed accessories like hats, eyepatches, or plastic hand-hooks.  A pirate costume can be as simple as a pair of black slacks, a solid button-down shirt/blouse, a solid sash tied around your waist, or a bandana around your head!  Ladies can go for a corset over a billowy blouse plus a skirt.

Red, black, and white are prominent easy colors to work with.  A striped shirt or stockings are always good.  Even if you arrive in something simple as jeans and a white T-shirt, once you join the pirates you’ll fit right in!

Here is an excerpt.

The Northwest Freethought Coalition (NWFC) is celebrating Independence Day and the arrival of summer with its 5th annual potluck picnic. NWFC group members, friends, and area freethinkers are invited to this all-day event on Sunday, July 4, 2010. Last year’s picnic drew about 200 people. The family-friendly picnic begins at 1 pm and runs into the evening. There will be a raffle and games, including bocce. Food served 1 to 3 pm; cleanup starts at 5 pm.  Bring your family, some frisbees, a blanket, sunscreen, and a picnic-friendly dish to share!

NWFC member groups include Humanists of Washington, Seattle Atheists, Tacoma Atheists, Humanists of North Puget Sound, University Unitarian Humanists, Ethical Culture Society of Puget Sound, Secular Jewish Circle of Puget Sound, Freethinkers’ United Network and various Atheist, Humanist and Brights Meetup groups.  Humanists of Washington is leading the event planning. Please contact HOW president Jerry Schiffelbein if you would like to volunteer.

Where: Puget Sound Blood Centers
When: Thursday, May 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Register at http://www.psbc.org