Seattle's Westlake Park has reopened after a major renovation, bringing more open space and new public seating to the square in the city's retail core.

The big picture: Downtown advocates say the changes will make it easier to host events at the park — from large markets to World Cup watch parties — while giving people more room to linger.

The renovation closed the paved plaza at Fourth Avenue and Pine Street for more than six months.

• Parks officials took out the large arch at the north end of the park, along with a broken fountain, creating more space and open sight lines.
• They also removed the Seven Hills art sculpture at the south end, opening up additional space for cafe tables and landscaping.

What they're saying: "It allows us to do bigger concerts, bigger destination-type events," Jennifer Casillas of the Downtown Seattle Association told Axios.

• Other upgrades involve lighting, electrical infrastructure, accessibility and changes to the stage area.

Context: The park is often the site of protests, rallies and celebrations. Seattle Parks spokesperson Christina Hirsch described it as "one of Seattle's most important civic gathering spaces."

The project cost about $6 million, which included private funding, the Puget Sound Business Journal reported.

What's next: Westlake Park will host free World Cup watch parties on the six days Seattle is hosting matches, as well as during the tournament quarterfinals and semifinals.

• Expect food vendors and a giant LED screen showing the games.

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Seattle won't host its first FIFA World Cup match until Monday, but the city's monthlong soccer celebration starts now.

The big picture: You don't need a ticket to be part of the fun: Seattle organizers opted to replace the traditional single FIFA fan festival being used in other World Cup cities with a network of free fan zones and watch parties stretching across downtown.

Multiple fan hubs opened this week and are free and open to the public, screening games and hosting celebrations throughout Seattle's six-match World Cup run.

• Seattle Center organizers are promising giant screens, DJs, cultural programming and family-friendly activities spread across the campus.
• Pacific Place is becoming "Seattle Soccer House," featuring a four-story, high-resolution LED screen inside the five-story mall.
• Victory Hall, right next to the stadiums, is screening World Cup matches almost daily through the tournament's end.

Plus: The waterfront touts what may be the most uniquely Seattle attraction, the Seattle Soccer Celebration.

• The 286-by-76-foot floating soccer barge anchored off Pier 62 has a mini soccer pitch, giant video screens and room for about 500 fans at a time.
• Ticketed watch parties on the barge are available (about $52 for adults).
• Pier 62 is also hosting free watch parties, but you need to get on the waitlist.

What's next: Seattle's biggest draw is likely to be the U.S.-Australia match on June 19, featuring hometown favorite Cristian Roldan.

Tell a fan

♼ Another tremor hit Mayor Wilson's office yesterday, with her communications director departing amid a wider staff reshuffling. (PubliCola)

💰 Seattle agreed to a $150,000 settlement with a father and son who said police pepper-sprayed them at a 2020 George Floyd protest. (KING 5)

🏢 Seattle's one-year pause on new large data centers is now part of a growing national debate, as Congress weighs stepping into the backlash over energy and water use. (Axios)

🛴 Lime is prepping 15,000 bikes and scooters for a surge in demand during the World Cup. (GeekWire)

🏒 After a disappointing NHL season that ended with another missed playoff berth and the departure of coach Dan Bylsma, the Kraken are bringing in former Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin to help rebuild. (MyNorthwest)

With Flag Day on Sunday and the nation's 250th birthday just around the corner, we thought it would be a good time to go over the U.S. Flag Code rules for displaying the Stars and Stripes.

The big picture: Aaron Bacon, a flag expert at the American Legion (a veterans organization) says there's been a recent uptick in both American flag purchases and etiquette questions.

1. The stars go in the top left — even when the flag hangs vertically.

2. Display the flag only from sunrise to sunset — or 24/7 if it's lit.

• The default rule is to raise the flag at first light and bring it down in the evening.

3. You don't need to retire a flag just because it touches the ground.

• That's a myth, Bacon says. Retire a flag only if it's actually damaged or badly faded.
• The easiest way to retire it: Bring your old flag to a local American Legion post.

4. Flag-print swimsuits and tablecloths are fine.

• Flag Code applies to actual U.S. flags — not flag-themed other things.

The bottom line: Violating the Flag Code carries no legal penalty.

• But for many Americans, these rituals matter because the flag carries more weight than the cloth.

Go deeper

The votes are in, and The Atlantic Crossing in Seattle has made the cut as one of the nation's best soccer bars.

State of play: The Green Lake bar came in at No. 4 on USA Today's top 10 list.

• A long-time mecca for soccer fans in the city, the pub offers a lively atmosphere and "an extensive menu that serves up everything from post-work bites to weekend brunch," USA Today wrote.

If you go: The crowds are thick so get there early for a good spot!