Seattle's 'Jimothy Summer' Art Contest Crowns Two Winning Raccoon Tributes

Seattle has officially declared 'Jimothy Summer' in honor of Jimothy, a short-spined raccoon whose unusually round body has made him a local celebrity. The proclamation was made by Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck at Bergen Place Park in the Ballard neighborhood, where an accompanying art contest drew hundreds of spectators. Participants submitted Jimothy-inspired works in various media, including drawings, paintings, and a piñata containing a single shot of liquor. Two winners were selected: Kayla Carabes, whose painting depicts a larger-than-life Jimothy beside the Space Needle, and Virginia McFadden, who created a stained glass window of 'Saint Jimothy' in the style of the Hot Rat Summer mosaic that captivated the city in 2025. Carabes, who stayed up all night painting her piece, cited Godzilla movies as inspiration for capturing Jimothy's monumental presence in the Seattle community. The winning artworks will be displayed in Seattle City Hall. Rinck praised the city's quirky landmarks—from cream cheese hot dogs to the gum wall, the Fremont Troll, and a statue of Lenin—as integral to Seattle's identity. Jimothy was first discovered in Ballard, a neighborhood in northwest Seattle, and has gained international attention for his condition, a shortened spine that causes a hunch in his back.