Seafair

Of all the festivals to hit Seattle in the summer, none approaches the size, grandeur and tradition of Seafair.

What began as a celebration of Seattle’s centennial in 1951-52 has blossomed into a two month long, multi-venue/multi-event festival that celebrates all things waterfront—including local neighborhood parties and events, as well as city-wide races, parades and performances.

Oh, and pirates.

The landing of the Seafair pirates, a group long steeped in rum-addled tradition (growing from original members of the 1949 Washington State Press Club's Ale & Quail Society) is one of the most beloved Seafair sights. The pirates begin by “landing” yearly on the shores of Alki Beach (this year, they land on July 10). The pirates wreck playful mayhem at numerous scheduled events, appearing several times a day. Their antics culminate at the annual 2.5-mile evening Torchlight parade (this year on July 31).

The parade is a colorful affair, with the requisite floats, drill teams and beauty queens. It gets very crowded as it snakes its way down Fourth Avenue—get there early or pay $18 for VIP reserved seating through the Seafair website.

Don’t be sad, though, when you see the festivities’ confetti being swept up. It just means that the fleet will be arriving shortly and the hydroplane speed boat races and air shows are up next. 

More than 5,000 United States and Canadian Navy and Coast Guard sailors disembark in Seattle as part of Seafair, and the public is invited to guided tours of the many of the ships. There are numerous military inspired events, with performances by the Navy band and a parade for the servicemen along the waterfront at Elliot Bay.

The capping events of Seafair muscle up power and speed. The Albert Lee Cup features races of the fastest powerboats and hydroplanes in the world in Lake Washington. The skies tear open with the sounds of the Blue Angels performing feats of unbelievable precision and beauty. Public viewing is at Genesee Park.

HelloSeattle Tip: Beware: the park gets crowded and the line at the beer garden can be formidable. Best to avoid the park and try a lesser-populated area along Seward Park unless you have kids, who will go nuts for Genesee's flight simulators and inflatable jumpers in the special Kids’ Zone.

- by Caren Gussoff Sumption, Seattle Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Caren Gussoff Sumption

Caren Gussoff Sumption is a freelance writer and editor from Seattle, WA. She's written for USA Today, the Seattle Times/NW Source, MSN and AOL, and her fiction has been published worldwide. She received her MFA in writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.