Mudhoney headlines R-Day

Vitamin R gets its annual day on Airport Way, but the San Gennaro Festival takes year off

Seattle grunge rock legends Mudhoney will headline this year’s R-Day festival this Saturday, Sept. 6, in Georgetown.

The annual block party held in front of the original Rainier brewing site will take place 4-10 p.m. on Airport Way S. The road will be closed to traffic between S. Doris and S. Carstens beginning in the morning for set-up so Georgetown drivers should plan to take an alternate route. The road is expected to reopen at midnight.

For those wondering, no, Rainier is no longer brewed in Georgetown nor at the site to the north with the big red ‘R’ sign.

R-Day began in 2013 when the red 'R' was reinstalled atop Rainier's former brewery north of the neighborhood on Airport Way S. It had been missing for several years. The quirky festival celebrates all things Rainier Beer with games, music, art, food trucks plus lots of Rainier-branded clothing and merch for sale. A fenced beer garden will run from Star Brass Works Lounge up to the Georgetown Ballroom.

KEXP’s DJ Jewel will kick off the music at 4:30 p.m. followed by Tres Leches at 6:10 p.m. and La Luz at 7:15 p.m. Headliner Mudhoney is scheduled to take the stage about 8:45 p.m.

R-Day is free to enter, but attendees must be 21 and over.

A pre-party is scheduled outside Fantagraphics Bookstore and Gallery from 2-4 p.m. at 1201 S Vale Street. Tacoma garage rockers Girl Trouble and DJ Thirst 'n' Howl will play.

While the annual party for Rainier goes on, another annual Georgetown festival is taking the year off.

The San Gennaro Festival, held the first weekend after Labor Day, is pausing to “rethink and refresh” the event, according to a statement on the group’s web site and social media.

The street fair on S Angelo Street celebrates Italian culture and heritage over three days with food, a beer and wine garden and live music. Last year's event was the festival's 10th year.

Rising costs combined with a lack of time and volunteers to help with behind the scenes planning made the hiatus necessary, said Angela Koumriqian, the San Gennaro Foundation president.

"We really hope to come back. We don't want to take too much of a break," she said.

Those with experience in securing arts and culture grants or those wanting to help plan a future festival can email Angela at info@sangennarofestivalseattle.org.