Fueled by fans: North Bend hosts 12s day and food drive to celebrate Seahawks and their fans

Find everything Seahawks, from superfans Mr. and Mrs. Seahawks, to ‘Hawks memorabilia, to custom-painted cars and trucks in the Seahawks colors, plus former Seahawk Jordan “Big Play Babs” Babineaux this Saturday in downtown North Bend.

Find everything Seahawks, from superfans Mr. and Mrs. Seahawks, to ‘Hawks memorabilia, to custom-painted cars and trucks in the Seahawks colors, plus former Seahawk Jordan “Big Play Babs” Babineaux this Saturday in downtown North Bend.

The North Bend 12s party, running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday Nov. 14, is not just a celebration of everyone’s favorite football team, but also a drive — a huge one — to support people in the community through the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank.

“It’s all because of the Wheels of Boom people,” said event organizer Stacey Cepeda, referring to the Seahawks-themed custom car club that is scheduled to appear for the day. “Their rep is just eating, sleeping, breathing this food drive,” Cepeda added. “We’re getting food donations all the way out from as far as Sequim.”

Wheels of Boom is inviting everyone to fill their cars, and then some, with donations for the food bank. Their work on the food drive, like many aspects of the event, has grown beyond Cepeda’s expectations.

“These guys have been so phenomenal about caring about our community — none of them are even from here,” Cepeda said.

They have also inspired other businesses to take part, Cepeda said, such as Clark’s East Towing, which initiated another event Saturday to support the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank.

“They are challenging the other local tow companies to a three-minute, fill-the-cart challenge,” Cepeda said.  The challenge will take place 9 a.m. Saturday at the Ridge IGA, and the groceries, purchased by each of the participating companies, will be delivered to the food drive for the start of the festival.

It’s become a big part of the day but the food drive is really just one part of a full day of events planned. The first 250 participants to arrive dressed to highlight their 12s spirit will receive a free doughnut from Georgia’s Bakery, and anyone bringing a minimum donation (10 cans of food or $10) could have a chance to get behind the wheel of one of the custom cars.

In honor of veterans, Cepeda said, organizers invited McKenna Esteb, a past Sno Valley Idol winner and Mount Si High School choir student, to sing the national anthem at 11:11 a.m.

Vendors will be selling special Seahawks gear all day, and booths will also feature face painting and crafts for children. A balloon artist will be available starting at 11 a.m. and at 11:30, Wilson, the famous 12th Pony arrives. Seahawks Santa will mingle with fans and pose for photos all day and Blitz, the Seahawks mascot, arrived at 1:30. Other guests scheduled for the day include:

• Former Seahawks player Jordan “Big Play Babs” Babineaux;

• Mama Lynch, mother of Marshawn;

• Norb Caoili, aka the “Norb Cam;” and

• Jeff and DeDe Schumaier, who paint their faces, wear blue-and-green wigs, attend every Seahawks game and got married on the 50-yard-line of Seahawks Stadium, earning them the title of Mr. and Mrs. Seahawks.

Since the first announcement of North Bend 12s Day, the event has grown, and now includes a full line-up of musical entertainment, starting at 10 a.m. with local band Bad Idea, Jessie Oliver at 11:30, a guest appearance by My Boy Skitzo performing “Get Your Hawk On” at 12:30 p.m., and the CD Woodbury Trio, from 1 to 3 p.m.

For information, find the North Bend 12s Day/Wheels of Boom Food Drive on Facebook, or call (425) 888-7669.

The Norb Cam, Norb Caoili will also appear at the North Bend 12s Day/Wheels of Boom Food Drive.