MYNORTHWEST HISTORY

Where were you in ’62?: We want your Seattle World’s Fair Memories!

Mar 29, 2022, 9:18 AM | Updated: 9:31 am

Seattle Fair, Spirit of '62...

Detail from 1962 Seattle World's Fair poster. (Courtesy MOHAI)

(Courtesy MOHAI)

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. That’s a long time ago, but there are still thousands of people who remember the incredible six-month event at what’s now Seattle Center which transformed this region’s present and future – but that also was a pretty darned good carnival, too!

KIRO Newsradio and MyNorthwest are marking the 60th anniversary of the fair throughout much of 2022 as part of a project called Spirit of ’62.

There are plenty of official photos and film footage from the fair, but what we really want to hear and see are your personal stories and photos – or the stories you might collect from your older relatives who might not be as tech savvy.

Did you get lost among the carnival rides on the Gayway? Did you eat too many Belgian Waffles? Did you run into Elvis Presley making his movie? Did you meet your future spouse at one of the international pavilions? Did you bump into an astronaut at what’s now the Pacific Science Center? Get motion sick on the Monorail or a Space Needle elevator? Even if you went and just had a really good time, we want to hear all about it!

To share your Spirit of ’62 memories, please record a voice memo on your smartphone, and then email it to fbanel@kiroradio.com. If you have personal photos from the fair, please send those, too. If you aren’t able to record a voice memo, written memories are welcome as well.

We may use your recordings and photos in our radio and web coverage of the 60th anniversary.

You can hear Feliks every Wednesday and Friday morning on Seattle’s Morning News, read more from him here, and subscribe to The Resident Historian Podcast here. If you have a story idea or a question about Northwest history, please email Feliks here.

MyNorthwest History

Image: Everett Parks & Facilities is seeking permission from the Everett Historical Commission to d...

Feliks Banel

Historical commission hits pause on razing Everett’s Clark Park gazebo

At a meeting, the Everett Historical Commission once again weighed a request from the city for permission to demolish a historic gazebo.

2 days ago

Facebook Seattle Vintage...

Feliks Banel

Local history buffs beat hackers and regain control of Seattle Vintage

The popular local history Facebook group Seattle Vintage was hacked and taken over by malicious actors two weeks ago.

2 days ago

bridge collapse...

Feliks Banel

Baltimore bridge collapse reminds Washingtonians of past disasters

A container ship rammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing the bridge to crumble into the river below.

3 days ago

Image: The National Archives Seattle building, which is located on Sand Point Way NE, can be seen f...

Feliks Banel

Federal budget includes funding for new Seattle National Archives

The GSA is set to get $9 million for a new storage facility for the National Archives in the Seattle area.

7 days ago

Seattle Pilots opening day at Sick's Stadium, Seattle, April 1969 ( Cary Tolman, MOHAI collection)...

Feliks Banel

Seattle Pilots broadcaster Bill Schonely looks back to the pre-Mariners days

Bill Schonely’s career might have been very different if the Pilots had stayed in Seattle or if he had followed the team to Milwaukee. But now he roots for the Mariners.

9 days ago

Photo: A grassroots campaign to save the historic Ryan House in Sumner scored a legal victory in Pi...

Feliks Banel

Supporters of historic Sumner Ryan House get legal boost

A grassroots group working to save the historic Ryan House on Main Street in Sumner scored a legal victory Wednesday.

15 days ago

Where were you in ’62?: We want your Seattle World’s Fair Memories!