New parking and incentives for cyclists among changes in getting to Seafair

Getting through traffic to Seafair can be rough, so this year organizers are taking steps to make it easier.

For the first time, Seafair will open 1,000 new parking spaces at Genessee Park by moving volunteer parking to the VA hospital and running shuttles for volunteers.

Those parking spaces will cost $40, but you’ll be close to the action.

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The opening of Sound Transit’s light rail extension to Husky Stadium at the University of Washington means you now have the option of parking in one of 900 spots just south of the stadium and taking the train to the Columbia City station, where a free shuttle will take you to Seafair.

Parking at Husky Stadium will cost $15 on Friday and $10 on Saturday before noon.

Saturday afternoon, and all day Sunday, parking near Husky Stadium station will be free.

“It’s a really easy way to get there. Avoid any hassles that you might have experienced in past lives and it should be a really easy move,” said Richard Andersen, Seafair president and CEO.

For the first time, Seafair is working with Cascade Bicycle Club to encourage people to arrive by bicycle.

Seafair is offering cyclists half-price tickets and a free bottle of water.

Cyclists can use a new bike entrance at the north end with secure, free, valet parking.

“Ride your bike, ride light rail, park if you want, and all of those things should be significantly easier than they’ve been in the past,” Andersen said.