Seafair cancels its whole slate of summer events in 2020
May 20, 2020, 12:51 PM | Updated: Oct 7, 2024, 9:52 am
The Blue Angels at Seafair. (KIRO 7 image)
(KIRO 7 image)
For the first time in 71 years, Seafair has officially opted to not hold any of its major events in 2020 over concerns regarding the ongoing coronavirus crisis. That includes the annual U.S. Navy Blue Angels airshow, and its 4th of July fireworks celebration.
“Given the uncertainty surrounding the public health safety, and combined with guidance for local and state governments, we just really came to the realization that we really need to reschedule all of the signature events for Seafair into summer of 2021,” Patrick Harrison, Seafair marketing and communications director told KIRO Radio.
“There’s going to be some flavors of Seafair throughout the summer because Seafair is not going anywhere … this is not the death of Seafair.”
The full list of canceled Seafair events in 2020 includes:
- Seafair Summer 4th at Gasworks and Lake Union Park
- Seafair Milk Carton Derby at Green Lake
- Seafair Triathlon at Seward Park
- Torchlight Run and Parade in downtown Seattle
- Seafair Weekend Festival featuring the Boeing Air Show at Genesee Park and Lake Washington
The plan is to have all of these events take place as scheduled in 2021.
“We are deeply disappointed, but together we will get through this emergency,” Seafair President and CEO Eric Corning said in a news release.
“Events will be an important part of our recovery, and we look forward to working with our sponsorship partners, volunteers, and stakeholders to produce a festival with the Blue Angels, fireworks, pirates, clowns, parades, and all of the neighborhood community events,” Corning said. “We will stay active in the community this summer to bring people together to celebrate online and in-person, within the COVID-19 guidelines.”
Seafair will be in contact with 2020 ticket holders for all of these events in the days ahead to “discuss their options.”
