A Seattle artist says thieves ransacked her booth at the Bite of Seattle festival over the weekend, stealing more than $2,000 in merchandise despite organizers’ promises of overnight security.
Courtney Leanne, a local creator known for her pride-themed prints and apparel, had paid nearly $1,000 to reserve her vendor spot at the iconic food and culture festival, which returned to Seattle Center July 25-27 after a multi-year hiatus.
This year, the three-day event promised overnight security—a claim that Leanne said appeared true on the first two nights. But sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning, her booth was hit.
“They took a bunch of my prints. I had hoodies, t-shirts, artwork, stickers, they just trashed my entire thing,” Leanne recounted on Instagram. “They took my tote bags, I had a bag of supplies down there, that’s gone.”
Her sewing machine was one of the few items spared.
Leanne reported the theft to Seattle Police. She asked the public to be on the lookout for anyone reselling her missing work.
“If you see anyone in Seattle selling some art that might match this, please call them out. Reach out to me,” she said. “This is so disappointing.”
Founded in 1982, the Bite of Seattle draws tens of thousands annually with a smorgasbord of food trucks, live music, and local artisan booths.
You can view Leanne’s creations on her Instagram page and website.
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