Salty's Magical March of the Nutcrackers

Traditions are what stay with you all your life. Do you remember going downtown and looking at holiday lights when you were a child? Going to a special restaurant to celebrate the season? Doing the same for your kids, nieces/nephews or friends? In 2007, Salty's Seafood Grills added a tradition in their usual big way—the Magical March of the Nutcrackers at their three locations. "It is truly a great escape from the pressures of daily life and the expectations of the holidays," says owner Gerry Kingen.

A bigger-than-life mold was created based on the Pacific Northwest Ballet's "The Nutcracker" and giant nutcrackers were individually created by Northwest artists. They were placed around downtown Seattle as a public art display (think Rachel the Pig at Christmas) and then auctioned off to raise money for the Northwest Center. 2007 was the final year the fundraiser took place.

Gerry loves the holiday season. "Places never look as good as they do during the festive season of Christmas," he says. About five years ago, he took his daughter to New York for Thanksgiving. They did the Macy's parade and went to Tavern on the Green. "I was shocked," he recalls. "It was a few days before Thanksgiving and Tavern on the Green was decorated to the tens. I asked them if it wasn't a bit early and they said ‘no, we're now booked through December. People make it a point to come once during the season to see the decorations.' Then we went to Rockefeller Center as they were putting up the tree and the toy soldiers. It got me thinking about how we decorate. I've watched Kemper Freeman creating such a festive environment in Bellevue. Before we had gone to New York, I was down on Elliott Avenue and found this thing that looked like a pizza chef and bought it. I didn't even know what the nutcracker fundraiser was. After we returned, I stumbled into another nutcracker and the sign explained what was going on with Northwest Center. I called and they told me how they help people with severe disabilities who want to work. I got wrapped around that idea and bought the only nutcracker they had left. I found 17 more on eBay and bought 16 of those. The next year was the final year. They staged the nutcrackers at Northwest Center before moving them to Benaroya Hall. I asked if I could buy some up front and they said yes. I bought 17. No one bought any once they were moved to Benaroya, so I picked up the rest. It's for such a great cause."

Photos by Ilya Moshenskiy

After they had all the nutcrackers, they had to decide what to do with them. Naturally, they spent even more money on additional decorations and completely decked out all three locations. (There are no actual statistics, but we believe you can actually see the Salty's locations from outer space during the holidays.) "We want people to come at least once during the season because we're such a fun and exciting escape. We want people to go ‘wow, this is like Disneyland!' Plus the parking is free. So many people have Thanksgiving dinner with us that we decided to decorate right before. And we do a lot of gift card business for Christmas, so we've extended the time the decorations are up until January 10. That way everyone gets an opportunity to enjoy them," says Gerry. "It's a wonderful release from the humdrum and doldrums of life. Just walking in puts a smile on your face and gives you the warm glow the holidays should give you." Each year the nutcrackers are rotated between the locations so everyone gets to see the different interpretations.

Another interesting coincidence in all this is that about three and a half years ago, they were in an antique/hobby shop in Cle Elum and saw a plastic statue of Superman. "The owner explained that his company makes them. I told him about our nutcrackers and it turns out he's the one who made them." Gerry purchased the original mold, so you never know if/when more wacky nutcrackers might show up.

This year, the nutcrackers ventured out in two new ways. They were showcased in the November ‘My Macy's Holiday Parade' in both Seattle and Portland. Additionally, five-inch tall, hand-blown, hand-painted German glass nutcrackers were hidden around the Seattle, Redondo and Portland areas as part of a Nutcracker Scavenger Hunt that took place from December 1-12. People followed daily clues to locate the ornaments. Winners received the ornament they found plus a whole White Chocolate Mousse Cake. They were also entered into a grand prize drawing for a holiday dinner for four, valued at $400.

Whether you stop by for weekend brunch, a cup of chowder, holiday meal with friends and family or company party, you'll find plenty of nutcrackers and decorations to enjoy. They're fun in the daytime and even more impressive at night illuminated by colorful lights. Any time is a great time to enjoy the stunning, trillion dollar view. So add a new tradition to your holiday season!

Salty's on Alki Beach 1936 Harbor Ave SW Seattle, WA 98126 206-937-1600 www.saltys.com/seattle Salty's on Redondo Beach 28201 Redondo Beach Dr S Des Moines, WA 98198 253-946-0636 www.saltys.com/seattle_south Salty's on the Columbia 3839 NE Marine Dr Portland, OR 97211 503-288-4444 www.saltys.com/portland

Connie Adams/December 2011