Seattle’s viral raccoon ‘Jimothy’ celebrated with official city proclamation
Jul 27, 2026, 11:46 AM | Updated: Jul 28, 2026, 8:10 am
Jimothy trots through a Seattle neighborhood. (Photo courtesy of KIRO Newsradio listener)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO Newsradio listener)
Jimothy, the oddly shaped raccoon who has become a Seattle celebrity, was honored with an official city proclamation in Ballard on Sunday.
Seattle Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Councilmember Dan Strauss officially proclaimed the season “Jimothy Summer” in Seattle during the event.
“The summer of 2026 is officially Jimothy Summer on behalf of my office and Councilmember Dan Strauss’ office,” Rinck said at the event, according to FOX 13.
Fans gathered to honor the raccoon that became a viral sensation
The Jimothy the Raccoon celebration began at 12 p.m. at Bergen Place Park, located near the Ballard Farmer’s Market.
A large number of Jimothy fans attended the event, voicing their support for the local raccoon that has become a viral sensation since it was spotted in Ballard.
“He’s just a round little chunky guy who’s like giving us attention to other people who feel like they can relate to that,” said Serena McIntire, who attended the proclamation.
Jimothy fans attending the event were asked to bring artwork depicting the raccoon to be entered into an art contest, with the winners’ art to be displayed in City Hall through the end of the summer.
Some of the submitted works included a “Saint Jimothy” stained glass installation, a Jimothy-themed license plate, and a paper-mâché statue named “Jimo-ché.”
The winner of the contest was Kayla Carabes, who made a painting of Jimothy, even though she had moved to Seattle in June.
“It’s interesting that Jimothy doesn’t even know that all of this is going on, but he’s still so loved,” Carabes said, according to FOX 13.
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