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Winter lasts in Seattle from October to July. If this sounds unlikely, let me assure you that on June 14th this year it was 49 degrees at noon here.
So when summer finally arrives we have more than earned it, and there is no better summer weekend to spend here than Seafair. This is when the Blue Angels (navy jet fighters) fill our skies with thrilling tricks for four straight days. There are other events too: hydroplanes, boat shows, and many related parties, but to me it’s the sight of these planes that makes the weekend.
They usually fly right over our house at least a few times, rattling our windows and exceeding all kinds of recommended safe sound levels I’m sure, but we love it when they come close just the same. Each summer all our neighbors gather spontaneously in the street to watch the grace and awesome power of these guys.
A few times we took our kids right out to the bridge with the best views, loudest decibels and biggest crowds, but with a toddler in tow we usually just enjoy the show from home. Luckily, you can see much of the show from almost all of the many hilltops in the area, and the many public beaches offer great views too.
In most big cities I’ve spent any length of time in, going to a special event means packing the kids up in the car, dealing with hours of snarling traffic and paying through the nose for concessions and parking. So when people say the Pacific Northwest is a great place to raise kids, this is what they mean: A terrific public event, free, easily accessible, and effortlessly enjoyed with friends and neighbors.
As my friends know, I have a really hard time with the long, dreary winters here, so I’m not saying move or anything. But I have to admit Seafair is pretty damn cool.
Preview this PostThe Blue Angels over the Seattle skyline. All those boats on the water watching the show are getting a nice big blast of jet-fueled air. Ick. As if boats don't make you sick enough.
