Torchlight Parade at Seafair, is a number of series parades in and around the area of Greater Seattle. This summertime celebration brings color to the city life with the participation of various dance groups, clowns, music bands and drill teams. This Torchlight Parade in Seattle started in 1951. This parade was initially known as the Seafair Grande Parade because it first took place in a region of Seattle called Seafair. Usually held on either the first Saturday of August or the last Saturday of July, this festival showcases the actual tradition and roots of Seattle. The parade starts in the evening and eventually concludes by the dusk. Since the event carries up to the dark hours, the participants use light and other luminescent devices, while they perform. The parade is thus named as Torchlight Parade at Seafair
The parade attracts an average crowd of more than 300,000 people every year. Over the years, the parade has changed its routes many a times. In first year of its inauguration, the venue was a loop on 2nd and 3rd Avenues. The next year, the parade was held at 4th Avenue and Madison Street and headed towards the Memorial Stadium. For the past few years, the torchlight parade route starts from the Seattle Center to 4th Avenue through Downtown Seattle and finally ends at the north parking region of Qwest Field. The entire route sums up to be a distance of around 2.5 miles.
Some of the most popular participants of Torchlight Parade include Blue Angels Float,
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Seattle All-City Band, Seafair Pirates, Dragon dances, Seafair Clowns, Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team and many others. This festival is one of the prime Seafair summer festivals. Thousands of visitors come from various parts of the world to be a part of the crowd at the parade. The enthusiasm level seems to reach an all time high and every group march towards their destinations while staging their performances. Vibrant colors, loud sound of musical instruments and cheering voices of the spectators offer a awesome instance of merrymaking in Seattle.
The entries to into this Torchlight Parade are classified in to the categories like comedy, dance drills, drama acts, literary performances and many others. More then300,000 people stand along the streets of Seattle to witness the grand event. A festive evening of floats, giant shaped balloons, bands, drill teams, horsemen units and the entertaining clowns and pirates enlivens the entire city. Many performing groups from Japan, China and Kobe come here to participate. The best moments of this festival is projected through television, radio and print mediums. Regular updated news of this event can be heard in 94.1 KMPS FM, AM 1090 KTPK, KISS 106.1 FM and 96.5 JACK FM.
Reaching the Torchlight Parade is the easiest by taking public bus. Metro offers extra service for the people returning late night from the parade. Torchlight Parade at Seafair is an unique experience bubbling with life and vitality, which should never be missed by the tourists.
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