Transportation Freedom Day*
*Added on 3/13/09

What: A celebration with a purpose: to educate Seattleites about their transportation costs

How much does transportation cost you?
Walking/Biking: Free
Metro Bus Fare: $1.75
Gallon of Gasoline: $2.17
Days the average Seattleite works to pay for yearly transportation costs: 74
Helping Seattle celebrate an earlier Transportation Freedom Day: Priceless

Your transportation costs could surprise you. In the average household, transportation accounts for the second largest drain on family budgets; more than food, health care, and second only to home ownership.

If fact, every dollar you earned from January 1st until March 15th will ultimately go towards your transportation costs for the year. That’s why we’re raising awareness by celebrating Seattle’s Transportation Freedom Day!

When: Sunday, March 15th, 3 – 4 PM
Where: Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club, 4520 MLK Jr. Way S. (Served by routes 39, 42, and 48)
How much? Free

Did I mention there will be cake?

Seattle Green Festival

What: A “green living” expo!
“Discover some of the best green products and services the Northwest has to offer. And, through Seattle Climate Action Now!, Clean & Green Seattle, and the city’s many other climate projects, you’ll learn how neighbors, community nonprofits and city departments are working together to make their city a healthier place to live.”

When: March 28, 10 AM – 7 PM & March 29, 11 AM – 6 PM
Where: Washington State Convention Center
How much? $15 ($10 for cyclists and bus riders)

This was great fun last year. I’d be attending again, even if I wasn’t participating in the “Undriving” panel.

Climate Day for Kids

What: An Earth Day celebration, where kids (and adults) can “learn about climate change and what actions [to] take to reduce your carbon footprint. Create green art using recycled materials, and explore games and exhibits from SAM partners.”

When: April 18, 12 PM – 3 PM
Where: Olympic Sculpture Park
How much? Free!

I’m planning to take Chicklet. She doesn’t know what global warming is yet, but she’s down with anything that involves playing outside.

Seattle Summer Streets (formerly known as Carfree Sundays)

What: Car-free, locally organized street festivals
“Walk. Bike. Shop. Play. Breathe. City streets are being opened for people to have fun, celebrate the spirit and personality of their community and support local businesses.”

When: Many, many dates throughout the spring and summer. The first one (in Phinney) is on April 10th. See below.
Where: Lots o’ neighborhoods! (Though not mine yet.) See below.
How much? Free!

I went to all of these last year and (except for some minor weather issues) thoroughly enjoyed myself. If you’re fortunate enough to have one in your neighborhood, you should really, really take advantage.

Here’s all the date and place info from the City:

Event: The Greenwood/Phinney Chamber’s Art Up/Open Up Summer Streets Party
Date: Friday, April 10, 6 to 9 p.m.
Location: Phinney/Greenwood Avenue North from North 65th to North 87th streets

Event: Cascade Bicycle Club’s Bike to Work Day and Summer Streets Party
Date: Friday, May 15, 4 to 7 p.m.
Location: Bergen Place Park and 22nd Avenue Northwest between Market Street and Ballard Avenue

Event: West Seattle High School PTSA’s 5K Run/Alki and Seattle Summer Streets Party
Date: Sunday, May 31, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Alki Avenue Southwest from California Way Southwest to 63rd Avenue Southwest

Event: Seattle Parks Summer Streets Party
Date: Sunday, June 7, 14, 21 and 28
Location: Discovery Park (7th), Interlaken Park (14th), Seward Park (21st), Magnuson Park (28th)

Event: U-District Chamber’s Summer Streets Party
Date: Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: University Way Northeast between Northeast 50th and Northeast 45th streets.

Event: Pike Place Market’s Fresh Fruit Festival and Summer Streets Party
Date: Sunday, July 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Pike Street/First Avenue to Virginia

Event: Rainier Valley Chamber’s Heritage Parade and Summer Streets Party
Date: Saturday, Aug. 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Rainier Avenue South from South Orcas to South Alaska streets

Event: Cascade Bicycle Club’s Restore Our Waters Cascade Spawning Cycling Tour
Date: Sunday, Sept. 20, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Starts and ends at Myrtle Edwards Park, goes through Seattle Parks non-motorized areas of Seward, Interlaken, Gasworks, Commodore and Discovery Parks.

Event: Visit a park with permanently open streets and Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets
Date: May through September
Location: Volunteer Park, Seward Park, Interlaken, Magnuson Lakefront Promenade, Arboretum, Discovery Park

Also during the months of May through September, Bicycle Sundays are being held along Lake Washington Boulevard every weekend. Seward Park’s upper road and Carkeek Park Road west of the Environmental Learning Center are being closed to cars on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.