Seafair parade dazzles as Bite Seattle fills the weekend
Crowds lined Alaskan Way Saturday for Seafair’s Torchlight Parade, the second year on Seattle’s waterfront after leaving Fourth Avenue. The same weekend’s bite seattle draw—Bite of Seattle at Seattle Center—shared the city’s summer spotlight. Nearly 100 parade units and grand marshal Rick Rizzs helped pack sidewalks after the Torch Run 5K.
Key Takeaways
- The Seafair Torchlight Parade completed its second year on the Seattle waterfront along Alaskan Way.
- Organizers say positive business feedback makes the waterfront the parade’s long-term route.
- Rick Rizzs, the longtime Mariners broadcaster, served as grand marshal amid his retirement season.
- Bite of Seattle ran July 24–26 at Seattle Center as another major free weekend draw.
- Seafair continues with Blue Angels practices, Fleet Week, and summer festival events.
Why does the waterfront parade route matter?
According to The Seattle Times, the parade shifted from its traditional Fourth Avenue path to the waterfront last year. After a strong debut there, organizers decided the waterfront will remain the long-term route, citing positive feedback from nearby businesses.
KOMO News reported tens of thousands turned out again Saturday, with sidewalks and reserved seating by Elliott Bay filling in numbers similar to 2025’s nearly 100,000 spectators. Longtime attendees said open space on Alaskan Way makes floats easier to enjoy than the old downtown corridor.
What did crowds see along Alaskan Way?
Units representing neighborhoods, cultural groups, nonprofits, businesses, and teams were scheduled—nearly 100 in all. Spectators caught pirates and their ship, an inflatable Blue Angel jet, high school bands, dancing horses, colorful floats, and dancing dragons.
Legendary Mariners sportscaster Rick Rizzs led as grand marshal. He has been the “voice of the Mariners” since the 1980s and is retiring at the end of the club’s 50th anniversary season this year.
Earlier, the Torch Run 5K moved up Alaskan Way and down Elliott Avenue. Pre-parade festivities included a beer garden, live music, and DJs along the waterfront.
How did Bite of Seattle fit the same weekend?
KING5’s weekend roundup listed Bite of Seattle among top things to do July 24–26. The free festival at Seattle Center expected more than 350,000 visitors, with hundreds of food, drink, and local goods options plus live music and cooking demos.
Together with the Torchlight Parade—set for a 6 p.m. 5K and 7:30 p.m. start—the weekend underscored Seattle’s peak summer tourism pull for families and visitors alike.
What Seafair events come next?
Blue Angels practice is set for Thursday, July 30, with shows Friday through Sunday alongside hydroplane races. More Seafair programming runs through summer, including Seattle Fleet Week, the Seafair Weekend Festival, and the Seafair Summer Music Series. Details are at seafair.org.
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