Wither Seafair?
For anyone who has lived in the Seattle Area, August is about the celebration of Seafair. (For those looking over my shoulder in the Oregon province of Cascadia, Seafair is similar to Portland’s Rose Festival.) The Torchlight Parade, fireworks, footraces, a milk carton boat event, and a wide variety of music are all part of the tradition. But the event that sets off Seafair from other festivals is the Unlimited Hydroplane Races.
Before Seattle had Major League sports, Seattle was a major stop on the hydroplane circuit. Throughout the 1950,s, 1960′s, and 1970′s; the Seafair hydroplane races were the most anticipated event on the Seattle sports (and summer events) calendar. Children and adults alike would not only plan to be at the lake to see the races on Seafair weekend, but the “hydros” would be the talk of the town for the weeks leading up to race day.
Around Seattle, you will find old-timers who will eagerly discuss with you the finer points of the boats and drivers of yesteryear. There is even a local museum where you can see and relive the excitement of the past. There is, of course, a race that has continued on to today. However, the heyday of the great hydroplane racing circuit is long past, and the event today doesn’t seem to have the following that it once did.
I understand that in today’s world there are greater spectacles to view and the wide variety of events available to amuse ourselves will boggle the mind. I also understand that Seattle has become a much more “refined” version of its historical self; with latte drinking, jogging, and an interest in all things green replacing some of the more rough-hewn activities of Seatttle’s past.
But for anyone with a bit of a sense of Seattle’s history, perhaps we can leave a Summer weekend open in our hearts (and in our day-planners) for re-living one of the city’s great events. We may not be seeing Slo-mo-shun arriving triumphantly from under the floating bridge, or seeeing any of the great names of boats or drivers from those past decades. But anyone who goes today will see some great boat racing, will get the opportunity to relax for the day at the lake with tens of thousands of their neighbors, and will get to see something that has been passed on through seattle’s history.
If anyone out there wants to complain about the crowds and the noise and all that goes with this event, I will borrow a phrase from Seattle mayor Greg Nichols: “Just chill!” It only happens once a year, anyway. Go try it and have some fun!
Leave a Reply