Seafair Weekend is the first weekend in August every year in Seattle. The event features hydroplane races, a parade, an air show, and more. Many of the events take place on Lake Washington and there is a log boom set up for boats to tie to for the festivities.

Generally we avoid the lake on these days though it is amazing to see so many boats out enjoying the PNW summer!

Getting WP to Lake Washington would require a trip through the Ballard Locks. The Locks are operated by the Army Corps of Engineers and are basically the “gate” between the lakes and the ocean. There is even a fish ladder for salmon to swim upstream to spawn.

Be sure to check out the Locks when visiting Seattle!

Even though we don’t go out on the boat for Seafair we usually catch the air show – especially the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Parts of the show can be seen throughout the city but we often try to watch from Boeing Field for at least one show. Boeing Field is where the Blue Angels (and their C-130 counterpart) take off and land. Seeing the planes up close is quite spectacular!

I would be remiss not to acknowledge that not everyone in the city is excited to have the Blue Angels visit and their reasons are understandable. It may be time to reflect on these symbols and what they mean for us today.

Happy sailing!