This weekend, September 9-11, features many events to be enjoyed outside in Seattle’s wonderful late summer weather. The list of choices for sports fans includes Husky football, Mariners baseball, Sounders soccer and the Iron Girl 5K and 10K Walk and Run. There are also plenty of options for lovers of food, entertainment, and arts with Nihonmachi Nites, Chamber of Commerce celebrations at Northgate and in Ballard, and the NEPO 5K Don’t Run.

There will be multiple events throughout the day on Sunday between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m.at the Seattle Center in remembrance of the ten-year anniversary of 9-11.

The Seattle Department of Transportation encourages event-goers to consider reducing their impact on the environment by leaving the car at home and trying one of the many alternate modes of transportation available - Metro Transit, the West Seattle Water Taxi, the Sounder commuter train, Link light rail, car pool, bicycle or even walking, if feasible.

In addition to traffic congestion associated with the weekend events, motorists should also keep in mind that as part of the Mercer Corridor - East Phase construction, the I-5 Mercer Street on- and off - ramp will be closed from 11 p.m. Friday night until 5 a.m. Monday morning.

Friday, September 9
Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury: 7 p.m.
Key Arena
5,000 + attending
Expect congestion on streets surrounding the Seattle Center.

UW Husky Band Friday Night Rally: 8:45 – 10 p.m.
Streets just north of the campus
UW Husky Marching Band will march from campus north on 21st Avenue NE, west on NE 47th, south on 17th Ave NE and back to campus. Streets along the route will be closed to vehicles during the rally. Seattle Police will escort.

Seattle Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals: 7:10 – 10 p.m.
Safeco Field
14,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic around stadium before and after the game.

Saturday, September 10
Northgate Chamber Festival: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Northgate Mall SE parking area adjacent to NE 103rd Street and 5th Avenue NE, Thorton Place plaza, and on NE 103rd Street
3,000 expected
Streets closed from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.: NE 103rd Street between Fifth Avenue NE and Third Avenue NE.

University of Washington Huskies vs. Hawaii: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Husky Stadium
70,000 attending
Expect extra heavy traffic on SR 520, I-5, and streets surrounding the stadium. Seattle Police will have the usual game day lane revisions in place before and after the game on arterials near the stadium.

Seattle Sounders vs. Real Salt Lake: 1 – 3:30 p.m.
CenturyLink Field
36,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic in the surrounding area before and after the match.

Nihonmachi Nites: 6 – 11 p.m.
International District
230 attending
S Main Street closed from 4 p.m. – 12 midnight from Sixth Avenue S to Maynard Avenue S.

Ballard Urban Picnic: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Ballard Commons Park and surrounding streets
3,000 expected
Streets closed from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.: 22nd Avenue NW from NW 57th Street to NW 58th Street, and NW 57th Street from 22nd Avenue NW to 24th Avenue NW.

NEPO 5K Don’t Run (Art Walk): 2 p.m. – 12 midnight
Art show and walk; event starts in Occidental Park at 2 p.m.
500 attending
Art walk will follow sidewalks in Pioneer Square and the International District to Beacon Hill, ending at NEPO House (1723 S. Lander Street);
Streets closed from 1 – 11:59 p.m.: S Lander Street from Beacon Avenue S to 18th Avenue S.

Seattle Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals: 7:10 – 10 p.m.
Safeco Field
21,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic around stadium before and after the game.

Sunday, September 11
Ten-Year Anniversary Remembrance of 9-11 – Multiple Events: 5 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Seattle Center
Traffic could be quite heavy on streets surrounding the Seattle Center

Iron Girl 5K and 10K Run/Walk: 8 a.m.
Green Lake Park, and on streets adjacent to the Park
2,500 participants
Race moves clockwise around Green Lake, partly on street, partly on park trails.

Seattle Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals: 1:10 – 4 p.m.
Safeco Field
19,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic around stadium before and after the game.

Seattle Storm vs. Chicago Sky: 6 p.m.
Key Arena
5,000 + attending
Expect congestion on streets surrounding the Seattle Center.