| Revision as of 19:47, 2 August 2019 editJi.rodriguezmarin (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users1,393 edits →The Seafair Cup and the Blue Angels: Changing name of the section to Seafair Weekend, and adding detail about Air Show and Hydroplane Race← Previous edit | Revision as of 19:54, 2 August 2019 edit undoJi.rodriguezmarin (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users1,393 edits →Events: Bolding of main events; add wikilink to Seafair Pirates pageNext edit → | ||
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| ==Events== | ==Events== | ||
| Seafair begins in mid-June; since 1949, its arrival has been heralded by the ''Seafair Pirates Landing'' on ], and the ''Milk Carton Derby'' on ], a whimsical boat race in which all the boats have been constructed out of empty ] cartons.<ref></ref> Entries always range from those carefully shaped for speed and stability to those designed for maximum amusement. The Derby is usually associated with a variety of activities for children and families on the shores of Green Lake. | Seafair begins in mid-June; since 1949, its arrival has been heralded by the '''] Landing''' on ], and the '''Milk Carton Derby''' on ], a whimsical boat race in which all the boats have been constructed out of empty ] cartons.<ref></ref> Entries always range from those carefully shaped for speed and stability to those designed for maximum amusement. The Derby is usually associated with a variety of activities for children and families on the shores of Green Lake. | ||
| The Seafair ] was added in 2002, |
The '''Seafair ]''' was added in 2002, follow three years later by the full '''Seafair ]'''. Participants can run or walk the {{convert|21.0975|km|mi|adj=on}} and {{convert|42.195|km|mi|adj=on}} courses. If a shorter distance is more appealing, participants can run or walk a 5 km course. The 2008 Seafair Half Marathon and Seafair Marathon began at ], crossed the ], and ended at ]'s Bellevue Downtown Park. After the race, live music was performed. In 2009, the Seafair Marathon and Half Marathon were replaced with the Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon and Half Marathon.<ref></ref> | ||
| In 2013, an ] ] show at ] known as the ''Seafair Summer Fourth'' was added |
In 2013, an ] ] show at ] known as the '''Seafair Summer Fourth''' was added. The event serves as a successor to the ''Family Fourth'' event that was also held at Lake Union, but was cancelled by its organizers due to a lack of funding. The event was revived under the auspices of Seafair with the financial support of local sponsors.<ref name=seattletimes-fireworks>{{cite web|title=McGinn got heads-up, has plan to salvage Fourth of July fireworks|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020740892_seattlefireworksxml.html|work=Seattle Times|accessdate=29 June 2013}}</ref><ref name=seafair-fourth>{{cite web|title=SEAFAIR SUMMER FOURTH – KNOW BEFORE YOU GO|url=http://www.seattlechamber.com/News/Article/13-06-20/Seafair_Summer_Fourth_%E2%80%93_Know_Before_You_Go.aspx|publisher=]|accessdate=29 June 2013}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | The '''Seafair ]''' is held on the shores of ] from ]. It features both Sprint - half-mile ], {{convert|12|mi|km|adj=on}} ] ride, and 5 km ]. Participants can compete individually or as a team. Typically, the Seafair Triathlon is held the third weekend of July. In 2007, the Seafair Triathlon saw a record turnout of 2,200.<ref>participants </ref> | ||
| ⚫ | ===The |
||
| ⚫ | The Seafair ] is held on the shores of ] from ]. It features both Sprint - half-mile ], {{convert|12|mi|km|adj=on}} ] ride, and 5 km ]. Participants can compete individually or as a team. Typically, the Seafair Triathlon is held the third weekend of July. In 2007, the Seafair Triathlon saw a record turnout of 2,200.<ref>participants </ref> | ||
| ⚫ | ===The Torchlight festivities=== | ||
| ⚫ | The last weekend in July belongs to the ] and ]. Many local organizations participate in these events, held on the streets of ]. The local woman who has been selected as "Miss Seafair" (prior to 1972, "Seafair Queen") plays a prominent role in the parade. It is traditionally preceded by the Torchlight Run, a short (8 km) race through the city's streets in which many participants run in ]. | ||
| ⚫ | The last weekend in July belongs to the ''']''' and ''']'''. Many local organizations participate in these events, held on the streets of ]. The local woman who has been selected as "Miss Seafair" (prior to 1972, "Seafair Queen") plays a prominent role in the parade. It is traditionally preceded by the Torchlight Run, a short (8 km) race through the city's streets in which many participants run in ]. | ||
| ===The Seafair Weekend=== | ===The Seafair Weekend=== | ||
| One of the most popular events of the festival is the '''Seafair Weekend''', held traditionally the first weekend of August on ]. Seafair Weekend main events include ] on the water and ] in the sky.<ref></ref> | One of the most popular events of the festival is the '''Seafair Weekend''', held traditionally the first weekend of August on ]. Seafair Weekend main events include ] on the water and ] in the sky.<ref></ref> | ||
| The ] is an ] unlimited ] circuit stop at ] on Lake Washington, in the ] neighborhood. The races attract tens of thousands of spectators, both those standing on the public shores of the lake, and those in ]s anchored just outside the course in the lake itself. | The ''']''' is an ] unlimited ] circuit stop at ] on Lake Washington, in the ] neighborhood. The races attract tens of thousands of spectators, both those standing on the public shores of the lake, and those in ]s anchored just outside the course in the lake itself. | ||
| A tradition started in 1972, the ] is an ] coincidently with the days of the Seafair Cup. World-class aerobatics teams perform their aerial stunts over Lake Washington, most prominently the ] and ]. Notoriously, the ] have been atending the Air Show annualy since its first edition, excepting in three occasions. The aerobatics show is a slightly controversial part of Seafair, as some local residents fear an accident involving the low-flying aircrafts, and some find the noise of the ]s irritating.<ref></ref> There was no show at Seafair in 1994 and 1995 as a result of a dispute with the FAA about whether they could safely fly over Lake Washington. In 1996 the Blue Angels flew over ], west of downtown Seattle, in a separate event from the hydroplane race, but this was a financial flop, and they returned to being part of the race-weekend festivities over Lake Washington in 1997.<ref></ref><br> | A tradition started in 1972, the ''']''' is an ] coincidently with the days of the Seafair Cup. World-class aerobatics teams perform their aerial stunts over Lake Washington, most prominently the ] and ]. Notoriously, the ] have been atending the Air Show annualy since its first edition, excepting in three occasions. The aerobatics show is a slightly controversial part of Seafair, as some local residents fear an accident involving the low-flying aircrafts, and some find the noise of the ]s irritating.<ref></ref> There was no show at Seafair in 1994 and 1995 as a result of a dispute with the FAA about whether they could safely fly over Lake Washington. In 1996 the Blue Angels flew over ], west of downtown Seattle, in a separate event from the hydroplane race, but this was a financial flop, and they returned to being part of the race-weekend festivities over Lake Washington in 1997.<ref></ref><br> | ||
| Due to government budget cuts, the Blue Angels did not perform at Seafair 2013; they were replaced by the ].<ref name=seattletimes-fireworks/><br> | Due to government budget cuts, the Blue Angels did not perform at Seafair 2013; they were replaced by the ].<ref name=seattletimes-fireworks/><br> | ||
| From 2019, the aerobatics show fly-over area was moved south to avoid the closing of the floating bridges carrying ] between ] and Seattle during the three days of Seafair Weekend.<ref>https://patch.com/washington/seattle/seafair-weekend-2019-what-you-need-know</ref> | From 2019, the aerobatics show fly-over area was moved south to avoid the closing of the floating bridges carrying ] between ] and Seattle during the three days of Seafair Weekend.<ref>https://patch.com/washington/seattle/seafair-weekend-2019-what-you-need-know</ref> | ||
Revision as of 19:54, 2 August 2019
 | This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. Find sources: "Seafair" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (June 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Seafair | |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Seattle, Washington, USA |
| Years active | 1950-present |
| Website | www |
Seafair is a summer festival in Seattle, Washington, that encompasses a wide variety of small neighborhood events leading up to several major citywide celebrations. While many small block parties and local parades occur under the auspices of Seafair, most Seattle residents associate Seafair with the Torchlight Parade (and accompanying Torchlight Run), Seafair Cup hydroplane races, and the Blue Angels. Seafair has been an annual event in Seattle since 1950 but its roots can be traced to the 1911 Seattle Golden Potlatch Celebrations.
Events
Seafair begins in mid-June; since 1949, its arrival has been heralded by the Seafair Pirates Landing on Alki Beach, and the Milk Carton Derby on Green Lake, a whimsical boat race in which all the boats have been constructed out of empty milk cartons. Entries always range from those carefully shaped for speed and stability to those designed for maximum amusement. The Derby is usually associated with a variety of activities for children and families on the shores of Green Lake.
The Seafair Half Marathon was added in 2002, follow three years later by the full Seafair Marathon. Participants can run or walk the 21.0975-kilometre (13.1094 mi) and 42.195-kilometre (26.219 mi) courses. If a shorter distance is more appealing, participants can run or walk a 5 km course. The 2008 Seafair Half Marathon and Seafair Marathon began at Husky Stadium, crossed the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, and ended at Bellevue, Washington's Bellevue Downtown Park. After the race, live music was performed. In 2009, the Seafair Marathon and Half Marathon were replaced with the Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon and Half Marathon.
In 2013, an Independence Day fireworks show at Lake Union known as the Seafair Summer Fourth was added. The event serves as a successor to the Family Fourth event that was also held at Lake Union, but was cancelled by its organizers due to a lack of funding. The event was revived under the auspices of Seafair with the financial support of local sponsors.
The Seafair Triathlon is held on the shores of Lake Washington from Seward Park. It features both Sprint - half-mile swim, 12-mile (19 km) bike ride, and 5 km run - and Olympic distances. Participants can compete individually or as a team. Typically, the Seafair Triathlon is held the third weekend of July. In 2007, the Seafair Triathlon saw a record turnout of 2,200.
The Torchlight festivities
The last weekend in July belongs to the Torchlight Parade and Torchlight Run. Many local organizations participate in these events, held on the streets of downtown Seattle. The local woman who has been selected as "Miss Seafair" (prior to 1972, "Seafair Queen") plays a prominent role in the parade. It is traditionally preceded by the Torchlight Run, a short (8 km) race through the city's streets in which many participants run in costume.
The Seafair Weekend
One of the most popular events of the festival is the Seafair Weekend, held traditionally the first weekend of August on Genesee Park. Seafair Weekend main events include hydroplane racing on the water and aerobatics show in the sky.
The Seafair Cup is an American Boat Racing Association unlimited hydroplane racing circuit stop at Stan Sayres Memorial Park on Lake Washington, in the Mount Baker neighborhood. The races attract tens of thousands of spectators, both those standing on the public shores of the lake, and those in boats anchored just outside the course in the lake itself.
A tradition started in 1972, the Seafair Air Show is an aerobatics show coincidently with the days of the Seafair Cup. World-class aerobatics teams perform their aerial stunts over Lake Washington, most prominently the US Navy Blue Angels and US Army Golden Knights. Notoriously, the Blue Angels have been atending the Air Show annualy since its first edition, excepting in three occasions. The aerobatics show is a slightly controversial part of Seafair, as some local residents fear an accident involving the low-flying aircrafts, and some find the noise of the jet engines irritating. There was no show at Seafair in 1994 and 1995 as a result of a dispute with the FAA about whether they could safely fly over Lake Washington. In 1996 the Blue Angels flew over Elliott Bay, west of downtown Seattle, in a separate event from the hydroplane race, but this was a financial flop, and they returned to being part of the race-weekend festivities over Lake Washington in 1997.
Due to government budget cuts, the Blue Angels did not perform at Seafair 2013; they were replaced by the Patriots Jet Team.
From 2019, the aerobatics show fly-over area was moved south to avoid the closing of the floating bridges carrying Interstate 90 between Mercer Island and Seattle during the three days of Seafair Weekend.
Groups
The Seafair Pirates
Another aspect of Seafair is the involvement of the Seafair Pirates, an organization that works year-round entertaining children in hospitals and performing other acts of community service including extensive fundraising. However, the pirates also usually perform loud—occasionally offensive—antics at Seafair (in an attempt to live up to their name) that cause perennial objection to their prominent involvement in the festivities. Despite this reputation, most people who enjoy Seafair see them as an essential part of the event.
References
- History of Seafair - 1950's
- History of Seafair - 1970's
- The Seattle Times: Rock 'n' roll run set to replace Seafair Marathon, by Jayda Evans, August 6, 2008
- ^ "McGinn got heads-up, has plan to salvage Fourth of July fireworks". Seattle Times. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
- "SEAFAIR SUMMER FOURTH – KNOW BEFORE YOU GO". Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
- participants Seafair Triathlon
- Capitol Hill Seattle blog - No More Blue Angels Over Homes Please
- History of Seafair - 1990's
- https://patch.com/washington/seattle/seafair-weekend-2019-what-you-need-know
- The Seattle Times: Seafair hooked on its pirates, By Victor Gonzales, July 9th, 2005