Puget Sound’s unofficial summer holiday, Seafair Weekend Festival, returns this year for the first time since 2019 to culminate a summer full of Seafair events — and this year, it will be bigger than ever!
Perhaps the biggest update to Seafair Weekend Festival this summer is the debut of the Blue Angels’ F/A-18 Super Hornet, the Navy’s newest jet touted as “bigger, louder and faster than ever.” The Super Hornet won’t be the only new aircraft debut, though — keep an eye out for the new U.S. Navy C-130 J Hercules, affectionately known as the Fat Albert.
This Seafair Weekend also marks the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force, and the F-35 Lightning II Demonstration Team will make a rare appearance to commemorate the anniversary.
As far as past crowd favorites, this year’s Seafair Weekend will once again include the Boeing Seafair Air Show, HomeStreet Bank Cup (where hydroplanes race at speeds of faster than 220 mph), Seafair Log Boom, a family fun zone and more. Plus, the Golden Knights (the U.S. Army Parachute Team) will return to fall from the sky once again.
“It’s only fitting that with the return of Seafair Weekend in 2022, we also bring back the Golden Knights to showcase the skill and professionalism of your U.S. Army,” said Lt. Col. Lee Spencer Wallace, commander of the Seattle Army Recruiting Battalion, in a news release, adding that the Army will be represented in both air and on the ground at this year’s festival.
For the 2022 Boeing Seafair Air Show, the Golden Knights’ landing zone will be located in Genesee Park (4316 S. Genesee St., Seattle), which is rebranded as Alaska Airlines Park during Seafair Weekend. There will be an opportunity for fans to help the Golden Knights repack their parachutes, along with a meet-and-greet of the demonstration team members. Also at the park, visitors can discover local food, music, wakeboarding, cars and more.
If you can’t make it to the lake, tune in to KONG TV to watch live coverage of the races and air show. On the radio, tune in to 88.9 FM The Bridge for Log Boom Radio, Mercer Island High School’s radio station, which will be broadcasting all weekend long.
Seafair Weekend Festival will take place Aug. 5-7 on the shores and water of Lake Washington. Find more information at: seafair.org/events/2022/seafair-weekend-festival
Here are some other events happening Aug. 5-11 in the Puget Sound area. If you would like to submit an event for consideration, please email your event details to weekend@seattletimes.com.
Bakers Against Racism hosts a bake sale to benefit abortion access featuring more than 14 bakeries and restaurants, including Seattle staples such as Temple Pastries, Cafe Besalu and Mamnoon. The event will kick off 4 p.m. Aug. 4 at The Pastry Project. Free. 165 S. Main St., Seattle; bakersagainstracism.com
Artists from across the United States and Mexico will gather for a four-day painting event to create more than 30 murals throughout the city of Everett. This family-friendly event will feature the opportunity to meet the artists, watch graffiti art battles, enjoy music, food trucks, a children’s mural and more. Free. Downtown Everett; schack.org/events/going-all-city
After a two-year hiatus, the South Lake Union Block Party returns noon-11 p.m. Browse booths hosted by 50 local businesses, participate in a printmaking workshop hosted by Partners in Print, enjoy local fare and beverages, and jam out to local bands. Free. 101 Westlake Ave. N., Seattle; slublockparty.com
Enjoy this three-day festival that focuses on volunteerism, family activities and giving to local needs. The festival will include live music, an outdoor movie, bounce houses, kids games, food trucks and more. 2518 34th Ave. W., Seattle; magnoliasummerfest.org
BritCon 2022 features a reunion of the cast and creative team of the 1996 “Doctor Who” TV movie, the Northwest premiere of the documentary “Doctor Who Am I,” British Steampunk, panels and programming featuring aspects of popular British media and culture and more. Register online; prices vary. 300 112th Ave. S.E., Bellevue; britcon.org
Lanterns will light up Green Lake at From Hiroshima to Hope on Aug. 6, the 77th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The event honors the victims of the atomic bombings and all victims of violence. Preprogram activities (including the preparation of lanterns) will begin at 6 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Kelle J. Brown, of Plymouth Church, will open the program at 7 p.m. with a blessing, and Tara Villalba, a Northwest nuclear disarmament activist, serves as emcee. Free. Green Lake’s northwest shore at West Green Lake Drive North and Stone Avenue North; 206-928-2590; fromhiroshimatohope.org
Washington State History Museum, Tacoma Art Museum and Museum of Glass present the 17th annual IN THE SPIRIT Arts Market & Northwest Native Festival, which celebrates the diverse Native cultures of our region. Shop handcrafted goods and art; experience performances by Native singers, dancers and musicians; take part in art-making; watch the Native designer fashion show at TAM; and more. Free. 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma; 253-272-4258; tacomaartmuseum.org/events-info/in-the-spirit-northwest-native-festival
Join the Museum of Flight’s annual Seafair Weekend outdoor festival-by-the-flight line, which offers fast planes, activities, meet-and-greets, history talks, music, food and more with the closest seats in Seattle to the Blue Angels’ takeoffs and landings 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free with museum admission. 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle; 206-764-5700; museumofflight.org
StoryBook Theater presents a series of free outdoor live theater performances of “Hansel & Gretel” starting 11 a.m. Aug. 6 and 7 at the Bellevue Youth Theatre amphitheater. The original musical, geared toward children ages 3-10 and their families, follows two rowdy siblings who get lost in the forest and the shifty chef they meet along the way. Free. Location varies; storybooktheater.org/park
The San Juan Island National Historical Park hosts this multiday living history program where visitors see a glimpse of the past as living history interpreters dressed in period clothing portray Hudson’s Bay Co. employees, American soldiers and British Royal Marines from the mid-1800s. Enjoy demonstrations including loom work, metalworking and fur trade and mid-19th-century games. Free. 3905 West Valley Road, Friday Harbor; 360-268-4698; nps.gov/sajh
Watch the Boeing Air Show from the water 1:30-5:30 p.m. Enjoy the stunts and aerial acrobatics done by multiple jet teams, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, along with a live DJ and a full-service bar ready with drinks, snacks and prewrapped food for purchase. Purchase tickets online; $150. Departs from the AGC Marina on South Lake Union; 206-623-1445; argosycruises.com
Bring a picnic and enjoy the sounds of the Emerald City Jazz Ensemble floating through Kubota Garden 6:30-8 p.m. Free. 9817 55th Ave. S., Seattle; 206-684-4584; kubotagarden.org
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