Seattle’s 2011 Bumbershoot festival opened Saturday, Sept. 3, with dozens of musical performances on more than a half dozen stages (and a lot of sidewalks and open spaces).

The annual festival at Seattle Center drew large crowds on the first day of what has been forecast as a blazingly sunny weekend.

Among the bands and musicians highlighted here are Pentagram, Campfire OK, Astronautalis, Guitar Shorty and Witchburn. Photos were taken by Seattle’s Christopher Nelson.

Read my interview with Noelle Scaggs of Fitz and the Tantrums here. The soul group opens for Daryl Hall and John Oates Monday night at the main stage at KeyArena.

— Gene Stout