The 34th Annual Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Tradition to Continue Virtually

AARP is proud to sponsor this special holiday event which Benefits the Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank

Even in the middle of a pandemic, the Great Figgy Pudding Caroling show must go on!  The longtime Seattle holiday tradition that usually features dozens of caroling groups and thousands of spectators in the heart of downtown, is moving to a virtual format, which will feature festive videos of 13 choral groups at  www.FiggyPudding.Org from December 4 through December 18.  In addition to kicking off Seattle’s holiday season with joyous music and whimsically outfitted singing groups, the Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition also serves as the biggest annual fundraiser for the Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank, and has a fundraising goal of $100,000 this year.

“This year will be the 34th time a singing competition has kicked off the holiday season for Seattle. This year it looks a little different, but all the music, fun, and community spirit are still there,” said Jeannie Falls, Executive Director of the Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank.  “Figgy Pudding is both a crazy, fun holiday celebration and a chance to help our most vulnerable neighbors during the holiday season.  We've overcome many challenges this year to stay open and offer services safely to the seniors and families who rely on us."    

To make sure the 34th Annual Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition would continue, the Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank hired The Workshop, a local event production company that orchestrated three nights of filming at Pike Place Market in mid-November.  To help maintain the safety of the participants and the production staff, the choral groups were required to reserve a filming time, wear masks, maintain social distancing, and lip-sync to recorded tracks of their songs.  However, all the extra effort was happily accepted given that the ultimate goal is to help those served by the Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank

“Our operation looks a lot different – lots of masks, handwashing, and plexiglass screens - but we have continued to offer meals, groceries, social work, and a warm welcome to our low-income and homeless neighbors during the COVID pandemic,” says Falls.  To help the 34th Annual Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition reach its fundraising goal, donations to the Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank can be made at www.FiggyPudding.org or by texting. “Figgy” to 91999.  

The 34th Annual Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition will also be featured on KING5 TV on Friday, December 11 from 7:30pm-8:00pm and will feature several caroling groups including the Beaconettes, Silver Belles, SeaChordsmen, Hounds of Music, GGLO Jinglers, and the Starbucks Chorus.  

Located at Pike Place Market, the Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank is a not-for-profit human services agency serving low-income and homeless populations in Downtown Seattle.  The organization provides social services, nutritious meals, and engaging activities in a safe and friendly place for over 1,500 older adults each year, many of whom are homeless.  Serving the community for 42 years, the Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank also offers free groceries and ready-to-eat food for people of any age and serves approximately 7,000 people every year.