SEATTLE \u2014 Move over, \u2018Hot Rat Summer\u2019 \u2013 there\u2019s a new Seattle sensation stealing this season. <\/p>\n
Jimothy<\/a>\u2014 the city\u2019s now internet-famous raccoon will be honored this week in his Ballard neighborhood. <\/p>\n The tiny trash panda is stealing hearts online \u2013 including that of City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck.<\/p>\n Rinck will issue a proclamation on Sunday, commemorating summer 2026 as \u2018Jimothy Summer.\u2019<\/p>\n It\u2019ll take place on July 26 at noon at Bergen Place Park near the Ballard Farmer\u2019s Market. <\/p>\n \u201cWe invite all local artists to bring their Jimothy-themed art for a friendly art competition,\u201d the councilmember posted online<\/a>. \u201cLong live, Jimothy!\u201d<\/p>\n KIRO 7 first introduced you to Jimothy last week. A viral Instagram post captured the strange-looking raccoon running through a yard. It racked up hundreds of thousands of likes and has been reposted countless times. Since then, the internet has been filled with tributes to the cute little creature: <\/p>\n KIRO 7 reached out to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife about the raccoon. A spokesperson said it is unclear what caused its unusual appearance. If you see Jimothy, WDFW said to leave him alone. It appears he is more than capable of moving and feeding himself.<\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n