SEATTLE — A Seattle artist is speaking out after losing more than $1,500 worth of merchandise during the 2025 Bite of Seattle festival, citing a lack of promised overnight security as a key failure in the event’s organization.
Courtney Leanne, a local artist known for her pride-focused artwork and apparel, said the theft occurred sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning while her booth was left unattended — a decision made in part due to assurances from festival organizers that security would be on-site throughout the night.
“Very Disappointing Experience”
Leanne shared details of the theft in a TikTok video that has since gained traction among supporters and fellow artists. “They took a bunch of my prints. I had hoodies, t-shirts, artwork, stickers,” she said. “It’s very disappointing.”
The artist also revealed that participating in the festival came at a significant cost — nearly $1,000 just to reserve a vendor spot. With the added loss of merchandise, the experience has left her not only disheartened but also financially set back.
Security Was Promised — But Not Delivered
Leanne said she and other vendors were assured that overnight security would protect booths left on the premises. “The first two nights, I did see the overnight security,” she noted. However, that presence appeared to lapse when it mattered most.
Seattle police confirmed that a theft report was filed and stated that, to their knowledge, no other vendors reported similar incidents. Still, Leanne indicated she was not the only one who had trusted in the security arrangements, as many others also left their booths overnight.
Was the Booth Targeted?
Given that Leanne’s merchandise is pride-themed, questions naturally arose about whether the theft could have been motivated by bias. Leanne addressed this in her response: “I don’t want to think that somebody would do that, especially here in Seattle,” she said. “But to be honest, I feel like it would have been more vandalized if it had been targeted for that reason.”
She believes the theft was likely opportunistic, though the impact remains deeply frustrating regardless of motive.
Broader Implications for Vendors
This incident sheds light on a larger issue many small artists and vendors face — balancing trust in event organizers with the risk of property loss. The Bite of Seattle, known for drawing tens of thousands of attendees, is one of the city’s largest summer events. As such, vendors expect a high standard of logistical support, including basic security measures.
With booth fees reaching nearly $1,000, artists like Leanne say they should not be left vulnerable to theft, especially when event organizers promise overnight security.
Community Response and Moving Forward
In the wake of the incident, many in Seattle’s artist community have rallied around Leanne, sharing her story on social media and encouraging others to reconsider how they manage their booths at festivals.
Leanne has not stated whether she will take further action or seek compensation, but she has expressed hope that her experience serves as a wake-up call for future event organizers to follow through on promises and prioritize vendor safety.
“I just want people to be aware and not have to go through what I did,” she said. “When we put so much into our work, it deserves to be protected.”
Leave a Reply