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Eric Hillesheim

Eric Hillesheim

Seattle-based sustainability & social impact consultant, founder of Seattle Paddle Rave, a floating EDM concert series on Lake Union.

Jul 8, 2026

8:23
What is your standout memory over this entire time that you've been doing this?
8:29
Man, it's it's funny because in some ways we have really big memories and we have really small memories.
8:35
And for me, the really fun thing about this is running into somebody after a show and then being like, hey, like, actually, I just met someone, you know, two weeks ago at the last show and we just went for a hike and now we're going to like do a dinner.
8:48
And so for me, it's kind of like those micro connections where you're really helping people build community, which is ultimately like why we began it in the first place.
8:55
And then there's bigger ones, too, where it's like, oh, my gosh, going through the process of like getting permitted for the city for the first time, which was like rather difficult as a first time applicant.
9:06
Like the city was super helpful, but just kind of a beast.
9:08
Like if you can imagine it, it's pretty difficult to get an insurer to sign up to an insurer on the water rave.
10:32
and i kind of feel like this is somewhat part of that i mean the city has venues right but seems like at this point is there a greater need for more raves more dances more events like this because people seem to really want to sneak out and do them

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