Northwest residents welcome the sun and Seafair weekend 

04:36 PM PDT on Friday, August 5, 2005

KING5.com

SEATTLE - Every year, Seafair weekend brings fun and festivities for residents of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, and traffic headaches for area commuters. This year promises to make an outstanding impression on people of all ages, with the Blue Angels air show in the sky, the Unlimited Hydroplane races on the lake and the U.S. Naval and Coast Guard ships that sail into Seattle's Elliot Bay.

 Click on any of these links for more information on the weekend's events:

• Keybank Air Show with the Blue Angels
• Chevrolet Cup Unlimited Hydroplane Races
• Fleet Arrival Parade of Ships
• Community Events
• Important Traffic Information

Keybank Air Show with the Blue Angels

US Navy

The Blue Angels have thrilled Seattle residents nearly every year since 1972.

Location: Lake Washington, Stan Sayres Pit Area near Genesee Park.
Dates: August 5-7, 2005
Times: 10:00 a.m.-4 p.m. The Blue Angels perform from noon-12:45 p.m. each day.
Fees: Tickets are available at the gate or at Ticketmaster Centers, charge by phone at (206) 628-0888 or visit Ticketmaster.com. Tickets on sale July 5.
Contact: SEAFAIR (206) 728-0123

Each year more than 15 million spectators view the U.S. Navy Blue Angels performing in air shows around North America, nearly half-a-million of those fans are in Seattle at the annual KeyBank Air Show at SEAFAIR presented by Boeing.

The show over Lake Washington during SEAFAIR is unique. While nearly all of the Blue Angels' stops on the 2005 schedule take place over an airstrip, the Seattle stop offers a spectacular venue above water with Mt. Rainier as a backdrop.

The hilly landscape of Seattle provides cover as the solo pilots bring their F/A-18 Hornets from out of nowhere toward the aerobatic box in the middle of the lake. These high-speed passes at center point bring roars from the crowd along the shoreline and goose bumps to the thousands of boaters affixed to the logboom.

The precision of the Blue Angels is breathtaking. From the seamless diamond formation that features all six planes only a few feet apart to the knife-edge pass that has the opposing solos traveling hundreds of miles per hour toward each other before making a quarter turn and peeling away. The Blue Angels exude the epitome of teamwork and a clear dedication to excellence.

The KeyBank Air Show at SEAFAIR presented by Boeing features not only the Blue Angels, but also a number of the best air show performers in the country, including the Red Baron Pizza Squadron, the Oracle Challenger, the U.S. Air Force Reserve Dream Machine and appearances by the Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner and a C-17.

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Chevrolet Cup Unlimited Hydroplane Races

AP

File Photo - Miss Bud

Location: Lake Washington, Stan Sayres Pit Area near Genesee Park.
Dates: August 5-7 (Friday is free!)
Times: Gates open at 8 a.m. Racing starts at 10 a.m.
Fees: Tickets are available at the gate or at Ticketmaster Centers, charge by phone at (206) 628-0888 or visit Ticketmaster.com. Tickets on sale now.
Contact: SEAFAIR (206) 728-0123

Pulse-quickening excitement on the water, food and activities on the shore and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels streaking across the summer sky. It's the best summertime show in the Pacific Northwest, the Chevrolet Cup Unlimited Hydroplane race at SEAFAIR, August 5-7.

SEAFAIR is celebrating 55 years of unlimited hydroplane racing on Lake Washington and has been a part of some of the best hydroplane races in history. For many SEAFAIR goers, the term "hydroplane" evokes images of roaring piston-powered water craft bumping along the surface of the water.

Today, the image may be the same, but unlimited hydroplanes are the fastest boats in the world. These turbine powered crafts can travel at speeds close to 200 MPH on a race course only 2.5 miles in length. Once again, the Chevrolet Cup at SEAFAIR race course features 500 feet of off-shore seating, promising a thrilling water-spraying view of these spectacular flying boats.

Adding to the excitement are the Unlimited Light Hydroplanes, a slightly smaller version of the unlimited's and the KeyBank Air Show at SEAFAIR featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. There's also live music, great food, Budweiser Beer Gardens and a Chevrolet car display that includes all of the latest models for 2005. See you at SEAFAIR.

KING

Protect your furry friends

Pets may be frightened by the noise and commotion caused by the Blue Angels. If you're planning on going to Lake Washington to watch the festivities, it may be best to leave your pet at home. Leave a radio or television on at normal volume to provide him or her with some companionship. If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises, consult with your veterinarian for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during the Blue Angels flights.

Never leave your pet in the car. In addition to the danger posed by pet thieves, cars can heat up to a deadly temperature in minutes, even with windows partially opened.

If you live near Lake Washington, keep your pet in a safe place indoors. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you’ve removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed on.

Never leave pets outside and unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. Animals may panic, escape and get lost, or get injured by becoming entangled in their chain. Owners should make sure their animals are wearing proper identification or have an ID chip implant in case they do get lost.

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Fleet Arrival Parade of Ships

KING

SEAFAIR is proud to welcome the men and women of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Canadian Navy, as they enter Elliot Bay on Seattle's waterfront for the annual SEAFAIR Fleet Arrival Parade of Ships on August 3rd. Three U.S. Navy ships, one U.S. Coast Guard ship, and four Canadian Navy ships will be berthed in Elliot Bay and available for public tours throughout their stay. Additionally, on August 3rd, the public will be able to embark with the fleet for a brief cruise of Puget Sound.

Some of the finest ships from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Canadian Navy will be visiting Seattle’s Pier 91 on August 4, 5, 6, and 7, and YOU are invited aboard. Please read below for tour schedule, ship descriptions, guidelines for visitors, and directions to Pier 91.

• Sat. Aug 6, Amphibious Assault ship (largest of the visiting vessels) unavailable for tours. Other ships available for tours 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
• Sun. Aug 7, Tours of all ships from 12:00 Noon to 3:30 PM

Ships tours last approxilmately 30 minutes. To decrease wait times and allow the maximum amount of visitors to experience these fine ships, please tour no more than three ships a day. At 3:30 each day, no more visitors will be allowed onto Pier 91. Groups of 15 or more individuals or with special needs are asked to call (360) 627-4030 to make arrangements.

For security and safety, all visitors are required to adhere to the guidelines listed below...

Guests over 16 are required to have a valid government photo ID in their possession at all times. Wear comfortable, sturdy, flat, close-toed shoes and comfortable clothing (long or loose clothing may make it difficult to navigate around ship interiors). Be prepared for long waits and exposure to sun or rain, heat or cold. Touring ship interiors involves ascending and descending very steep stairs, and navigating narrow hallways with low ceilings. Strollers are not permitted on ships. The visiting ships are exempt from the Americans with Disababilities Act, and may not be accesible to people with disabilities.All visitors will be required to pass through an airport-style security screening to include walk through metal detectors, hand held scanners and bag check. During your tour, you will be expected to follow all instructions of your assigned tour guides.

Prohibited Items: food or drinks, guns, knives, clubs or weapons of any kind, mace, pepper spray, spray cans or other defensive spray or chemicals, fireworks or explosives of any kind, flammable liquids, club weapons, illegal drugs and/or paraphernalia, camera tripods, large backpacks, camera bags, diaper bags or large purses, baby strollers or child carriers of any kind (minimum age for tours is 4 years old)

Permitted Items: small purses, small camera bags, fanny packs. A thorough inspection of all small camera bags and purses will be conducted prior to admittance.

Political activities, pamphleteering, speeches, placard/banner display and similar activities are not allowed aboard ships. Final authority for tour eligibility remains with the ship’s Commanding Officer.

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Community Events

Magnolia Summer Festival & Parade, August 5-6 at Magnolia Village from 10 am-10 pm. Parade starts at 10:30 on August 6th and admission is free. For more information, visit www.magnoliachamber.org. The 2005 Magnolia Summerfest will include an art show, craft vendors, children’s activities and food vendors. Also, don't miss the popular children’s and main festival parades.

Lake City Summer Festival & Parade, August 6. Parade starts on Lake City Way from NE 135th to NE 123rd, and the Festival is on Lake City Way and NE 125th Street from 10 am-10pm. The Kiddies Parade starts at 6 pm and the Grand Parade at 7 pm. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.lakecitychamber.org. This family-oriented festival includes children’s activities in the park, arts & crafts street fair, entertainment stage, salmon dinner, antique car & motorcycle show, children’s parade and grand parade.

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Important Traffic Information

KING

Every year, Seafair weekend brings fun and festivities for residents of the Pacific Northwest, and traffic headaches for area commuters. Parts of I-90 and I-5 will be closed during the Blue Angels performances.

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation’s web site, all lanes of I-90 across the Lake Washington Bridge will be closed from 11:20 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for the Blue Angels, who will be performing in the skies above the lake. Other closures are as follows:

• Northbound ramp from I-5 to eastbound I-90
• Southbound ramp from I-5 to eastbound I-90
• Rainier Avenue ramps both southbound and northbound
• West Mercer to westbound I-90
• 76th Avenue to westbound I-90
• Island Crest Way to westbound I-90
• East Mercer to westbound I-90
• Eastbound I-90 to West Mercer Way

These ramps will be closed generally around the same time as the I-90 closures. Note that I-90 east of Mercer Island will not be closed during the performance, but I-90 express lanes may close for up to two hours in prior to the mainline closures.

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SOURCES: U.S. NAVY, SEAFAIR.COM