LANGLEY — With road construction going on in the heart of Langley, it’s hard to imagine that Choochokam is only three days away.
And Langley Police Chief Bob Herzberg predicts that the construction on Anthes Avenue will cause a bit of a traffic nightmare. Especially for those festival visitors, who try to park as close as possible to the action.
“Anthes, due to the construction, is virtually of no use for Choochokam fairgoers,” Herzberg said.
“Coming in on transit is the smartest thing to do with this construction,” he added.
Herzberg encourages visitors to use shuttle buses that will circulate through town from the Langley Middle School parking lot, as well as the Living Green on Second Street to the festival.
Herzberg said he worries that people could damage private property as they try to cut corners, sneak through alleys or park in other people’s yards.
“We’re concerned about people going crazy,” he said.
“Everyone stay away from Anthes — period.”
The city is constructing new walkways on Anthes and Camano avenues. In addition, a new mixed-use building is being built next to the bus stop on Anthes.
On Camano Avenue, the construction of the new fire hall and park-and-ride add to the mix.
Langley Public Works Director Challis Stringer said the construction projects will be still underway when artists and entertainers take to the streets for the two-day festival.
The Anthes Avenue construction site may not be pretty, but it’s not in the way of any festival activities, she said.
“We’ll smooth it out and we might block off some areas,” she said.
Walkway construction on Anthes Avenue happens near the area where the Choochokam food vendors sell their delicacies, but the booths won’t be moved.
On Camano Avenue, the other walkway project and construction of the fire hall continues.
Stringer said the construction shouldn’t pose much of a problem.
“There has never been much parking during Choochokam on Camano. We really encourage everyone to take the shuttle,” she said.
Herzberg agreed.
“So we all should go slow, be patient and take the bus,” he said.
Downtown residents will have to deal with minor inconveniences starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday when police will close portions of First and Second streets and Anthes Avenue.
Residents should think ahead and make sure that they don’t leave cars parked in the festival area.
Just like every year, the festival will feature all the unique and wonderful exhibitors and vendors people have grown accustomed to see at Choochokam, plus a few innovations.
Even though Choochokam won’t start until Saturday, music lovers can get a taste of what’s to come a day early at the Friday Night concert.
Choochokam Arts and AlliKat Productions present “A Gathering of Stars” concert on Friday at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The best part: It’s free.
The concert is a first for Choochokam Arts, as the festival expands to kick-off the weekend musical festivities, said Celia Black, executive producer of AlliKat Productions and the Choochokam entertainment chairwoman.
The concert lineup features Vicci Martinez, Kris Orlowski and Handful of Luvin’, three stellar acts that frequently headline popular clubs in Seattle and Tacoma.
“These acts typically perform in 21-plus venues, so it is very exciting for us to bring this type of music to a venue where everyone can attend and at a price everyone can afford,” Black said. “We are especially pleased to make this music accessible to our youth — an audience we feel has been underserved.”
Seats are limited so arrive early, she said.
Both Saturday and Sunday, Langley will be bustling with artists showcasing their creations, music and culinary masterpieces. It’s a can’t-miss event for families and art collectors alike. Festivities start at 10 a.m.
New music venues were added this year. A special place for small music groups, called Water View, is located behind city hall at the top of First Street. Festival-goers can enjoy the sounds of jazz, pop, classical and folk music while checking out the boat traffic in Saratoga Passage and the snow-draped Cascades in the distance.
That isn’t the only new hot spot for music. Across from city hall on Second Street will be the Useless Shed. It will offer unplugged island guitarists the chance to demonstrate their sounds.
In the park at the corner of Anthes Avenue and Second Street will be the Kids Zone, designed for children to hang out while their parents check out the exhibitor booths.
Including the traditional Main Stage, four stages will host a total of 56 free shows for the listening pleasure of islanders and visitors.
Saturday’s Street Dance will be bigger and better this year. Bands will play on three stages and hopefully downtown Langley will morph into Whidbey’s largest dance floor, organizers said.
On Sunday, the athletic types will get a chance to exhibit the art of speed and endurance.
This year, a 13.1-mile half marathon will be run and organizer Matt Simms encourages South Enders to participate.
The race starts at 8:30 a.m. Sunday at the corner of Second Street and De Bruyn Avenue. The runners then head out along Saratoga Road to Fox Spit Road and back to downtown.
Herzberg said residents and visitors can also expect traffic delays in the areas the runners pass through, especially on Saratoga Road, one of the main roads leading into Langley.
The marathon awards ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on the Main Stage next to the Dog House Tavern.
The cost is $40 per person. Part of the proceeds will benefit the South Whidbey Community Center Foundation, dedicated to the creation of a recreation and aquatic facility on the South End.
Runners can register on Saturday at the Choochokam information booth, the morning of the race or online at www.langleyhalfmarathon.com. All entrants will receive special socks with the race logo.
