Skip to main content

What Comes Next?

· 3 min read
Bobby Hines
Bobby Hines
FAC Volunteer

The Fremont Solstice Parade has come and gone, and the lobster bike has been returned to its lair. What comes next, is up to you.

Would you like to pilot the lobster in a parade? Does your art group have visions for a fully chrome lobster retrofit with mirror ball and disco dancers? Maybe you want to wear your best underwater creature outfit and accompany the lobster along the parade route? Maybe you are inspired to create a new art bike for the next parade? All these lovely ambitions begin with reaching out to the Fremont Arts Council as a volunteer and letting them know your ideas.

Some future improvements that might be considered for the lobster trike:

Mechanical Improvements:

  • The old drum friction brake system is the biggest mechanical safety concern. There are no doubt mechanically talented folks out there who could improve the existing system, or design something better.

  • A complete replacement of the existing shifting and brake cables and housing would improve operator experience, but would require a re-tuning of the drive train which may be complex and time consuming depending on the experience of the crew.

  • There is a lot of space for a few storage hammocks or bags to be added to the frame. This would allow room for a bit of kit like water, giveaways, or a small sound system.

Aesthetic Improvements:

  • I've tried to capture the clever method with which the lobster was painted. It's a neat little three-color approach to making the lobster "readable" by onlookers. There are some repaired areas that could use a touch up. There is also the potential for changing the three colors to create a blue lobster, or perhaps one that looks like a posterized photograph, etc.

  • From a puppeteer perspective, we need to find a way to get the mouth and claws running at the same time. This would allow for a more dynamic performance and a more engaging experience for the audience. The current setup requires the operator to choose between moving the mouth and one claw, or both claws, which can be limiting.

  • The seats are quite comfortable, but they are not adjustable, and are designed for fairly tall riders. Making them into adjustable seats would allow for a wider range of operators to comfortably pilot the lobster.

Bobby and Mark

Get Involved​

Over the past several years of working with the Fremont Arts Council, I have come to know them as a group of artists and volunteers who are dedicated to supporting the arts in Seattle. They are always looking for new ideas and ways to engage the community, and they welcome input from anyone who is interested in contributing. Whether you have a specific project in mind or just want to get involved, reaching out to the Fremont Arts Council is a great way to make your voice heard, make connections in the artist community, and help shape the future of the Fremont Solstice Parade. Get involved here.