Last year’s Seafair Torchlight Parade helped make that day the busiest of the year on Seattle’s waterfront.
Seafair has been the undisputed anchor of Seattle summers since 1950, synonymous with the deafening roar of the Blue Angels, hydroplanes and the Torchlight Parade.
While its community-wide spirit remains as strong as ever, second-year CEO Emily Cantrell is leading a revitalization of the historic festival aimed at keeping it inclusive and financially sustainable for decades to come.
The most visible symbol of the evolution is last year’s relocation of the iconic Torchlight Parade from Fourth Avenue in downtown Seattle to the city’s newly reimagined Waterfront. The Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade last July marked the busiest single day of waterfront foot traffic since at least 2019.
“It was very safe, and that’s part of why we moved it to the waterfront,” Cantrell says. “The waterfront is just so welcoming, the perfect backdrop, and all the positive feedback we received reinforced that.”
The parade (July 25) has also returned to its traditional nighttime slot with vibrant, illuminated displays. This year, Seafair has introduced new, upgraded seating options for better sightlines and more comfortable viewing. The Torchlight Run has also made a triumphant return, bolstered by a wellness partnership with Kaiser Permanente.
High Tides and Blue Skies
Changes are also afoot at iconic Seafair events including the summer fireworks show over Lake Union and The Boeing Seafair Air Show.
The Seafair Fourth of July (sponsored by Amazon) now requires a free ticket attendees can get online, but this year organizers are asking for a suggested donation of $10 per person. Seafair, a nonprofit, receives no city funding and Cantrell notes that expenses are rising. Reserved seating starts at $60.
The Seafair Fourth of July fireworks begin at approximately 10:15 p.m., but crowds begin flocking to Gas Works and Lake Union parks early in the day.
The Air Show (July 31-Aug. 2, along with the Hydroplane Races) will feature a Boeing 737 “Freedom Plane” to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. It is carrying nine founding-era historical documents during an eight-city tour that culminates in Seattle. Fans can also get a rare look at Boeing’s new flagship commercial twin-jet during a special exhibition fly-by over Lake Washington.
The city of Bellevue recently signed on as Seafair’s first official STEM partner tied to the Junior Hydro races. Cantrell is also hoping to revive the Milk Carton Derby once Seafair secures a dedicated sponsor. The Derby was discontinued in the wake of the pandemic.
All told, Seafair is involved in more than two dozen community events in addition to its core programming, including the Pirates Landing at Alki Beach (June 27) and the Seafair Summer Music Series, which launches June 30.
One new event earlier this year was Winter by the Water (held in conjunction with ExplorePNW), which activated the waterfront during a day in February. Cantrell says it created outsized economic impact and plans to make it an annual event.
“We really want to show off Seattle’s waterfront,” she says. “We love water. Whether it’s Genesee Park (the primary shoreside viewing hub for the Air Show and Hydroplane Races), Lake Washington or Elliott Bay and Seattle’s new waterfront park, that’s where we want to be.”