Seafair

Seafair is a big, fun event that happens every summer in Seattle, Washington. It includes many activities, from small neighborhood parties to large citywide celebrations. One of the most popular parts of Seafair is the Torchlight Parade, where people walk and carry lights, and there is also a Torchlight Run for those who want to jog.

Another exciting part of Seafair is the Seafair Cup, where fast boats called hydroplanes race on the water. There is also an air show in the sky that sometimes features the Blue Angels, a famous flying team. All around Seattle and the Seattle metropolitan area, there are many block parties and smaller parades that make Seafair a joyful time for everyone.

History

Seafair has been a yearly celebration in Seattle since 1950, but it started with events from the 1911 Seattle Golden Potlatch Celebrations.

In 2020, Seafair was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic and rules about big groups getting together. The event was also cancelled in 2021, even though some smaller events were allowed, because Seafair needed more space and people than the rules permitted.

Events

Seafair starts in mid-June and has many fun activities. It begins with the Seafair Pirates landing on Alki Beach and the Milk Carton Derby on Green Lake, where people race in boats made from empty milk cartons. There are also shows like the Green Lake Aqua Theater with dancing and comedy on the water.

Later, Seafair adds a half marathon and a full marathon for runners. There is also a big fireworks show on Lake Union for Independence Day. The Seafair Triathlon lets people swim, bike, and run around Lake Washington.

The last weekend in July features the Torchlight Parade and a fun run through the city. The biggest weekend is in early August at Genesee Park, with exciting hydroplane racing and an amazing aerobatics show in the sky. The Seafair Cup is a big boat race, and sometimes famous teams like the US Navy Blue Angels perform aerial stunts.

Groups

Seafair Pirates

The Seafair Pirates are a group that works all year to bring joy to children in hospitals and help the community through fundraising. During Seafair, they often perform fun and playful acts, though sometimes these can be loud and surprising. Many people think they are an important part of the celebration.

Seafair Clowns

The Seafair Clowns have been a part of Seafair since the 1950s and became a nonprofit group in 2015. They started from Seattle University's Graduates Club. Their goal is to spread happiness by joining events and visiting places like nursing homes and hospitals during Seafair. They also appear at many festival activities.

Critiques

Some people in Seattle have mixed feelings about the Seafair events, especially the airshow featuring the Blue Angels. They worry that the airshow can remind people of war, uses a lot of fuel, and harms the environment. In 2023, a survey showed that many people in one part of Seattle did not like Seafair very much. In 2025, a group put up a billboard in Rainer Beach saying that the airshow is too loud, can bring up sad memories for some, and causes pollution.

Seafair royalty

When Seafair started in 1950, organizers chose special people to lead the festival. Two men from a club called the 101 Club became King Neptune and the prime minister. Twenty women competed in a contest to become Queen of the Seas, with each neighborhood picking someone around 18 years old.

Over time, the contest changed. In 1971, Callie Lynn Garcia became the first woman of color to win. By 1972, the title changed to Miss Seafair, partly because of the women's rights movement. In 2000, the way leaders were chosen changed to focus more on helping others and community work. In 2019, the contest began focusing on school, speaking, and helping the community, with universities suggesting contestants. By 2025, the contest became the Seafair Community Hero to honor adults who are new leaders in their communities.