By Erin Bosetti

The second annual Macefield Music Festival will hit Ballard this weekend, stuffing almost every music venue in Old Ballard to the brim with local Seattle bands over two days.

The Macefield Music Festival is named in honor of the famous Edith Macefield, an octogenarian Ballardite that notoriously stood her ground against the development of the gargantuan concrete block that is now LA Fitness and Trader Joe's in southern Ballard. Despite being offered a million dollars and the chance to have all of her health care costs paid for the rest of her life, she refused to leave her home until her death. The developers were forced to build around her home, leaving the house as a symbol of old Ballard and a reminder of the rich blue collar past of the neighborhood in the face of shiny condos and fancy restaurants. The house has become a symbol of the importance of tradition and to remember where one comes from in Ballard and beyond.

The Tractor Tavern, The Sunset, Hatties Hat, and Conner Byrne (with other venues) will be submerging Ballard Avenue with great music from around 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and around noon to 1 a.m. on Saturday. There will be over 75 music and comedy acts.

Punk rock pioneers The Sonics (8, 10/3, KEXP Mainstage) will be heading a lineup of local favorites: the haunting twang rock of Mark Pickerel and his Praying Hands (9:45 p.m. 10/3 at the Connor Byrne Pub), Ryan Caraveo’s thoughtful hip hop (9:30 p.m., 10/4 at the Tractor Tavern), Tacoma rapper UGLYFRANK’s biting rhymes (7:15 p.m., 10/3 at the Tractor Tavern) and metal Mexican food enthusiasts TACOS! (7:45 p.m.10/4 Sunset Tavern), among many others..

Ballard is historic for local music, starting with The Backstage, under Market Street and leading to today’s heavy hitters like Conor Byrne and Tractor Tavern. Macefield Music Fest exemplifies Ballard's musical identity, including the kind of prices local showgoers are used to: $40 for a two-day pass, $25 for an individual day. A committee and community members choose the lineup with a focus on Northwest and local artists.

“The festival organizers are a part of this community whether they own businesses, live or work here, or just come be a part of the vibrant scene,” says Leigh Bezezekoff, one of the organizers.

“ There is a definite camaraderie between the venues. They work with and support each other on a regular basis, which is why Ballard has such a great music scene.”

Benefitting the community is a large part of the mantra of the festival. A portion of the proceeds will benefit KEXP’s campaign for their new home in Seattle Center and there will also be a raffle that will directly benefit MusicCares: a non-profit organization that provides a wide range of financial health and wellness resources for those in the music industry in need.

Festival goers also need to check out the Macefield Market, a two day long music market with poster exhibitions, record swaps, clothing, crafts and a beer garden with live music. There will also be a comedy portion of the festival including all female comedy group the Wine Shots (6:30 p.m. on 10/3 at the Hotel Albatross) and horror improv troupe, Blood Squad (Hattie’s Hat back room, 10/4).