2021 Seafair Festival includes mix of live and virtual events
By Q13 News Staff
Seafair happening again in 2021
The annual festival was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus, but this year, it will be back with some changes
SEATTLE - One of the biggest summer events in the northwest is returning this year after being canceled due to the pandemic.
The Seafair Festival will be back this year but it will look slightly different than in years before.
Most events will be held virtually, but there will be a few live events.
The Seafair Triathlon will be a combination of live and virtual participation, based upon the competitor’s comfort level. In an expanding footprint across the Puget Sound, the 2021 Seafair Triathlon will take place at Sammamish State Park.
Canceled and alternate local events in spring, summer 2021
Seattle Pride Parade in 2018. (KIRO Radio file photo)
With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing and cases still prevalent across Washington in April, local festival and events some still months away are already starting to share their plans for 2021. Many thought that after canceling in 2020, hopefully 2021 would allow them to return, but it’s looking like that won’t be the case for a lot of local favorites.
MyNorthwest will keep an updated list of the big canceled or altered events in the spring and summer.
The Spring Fair
The Spring Fair is offering a hybrid experience in 2021, including both drive-through and “step-out” activities. The step out points are designated with controlled capacities and social distancing, offering fair goers a change to shop at a variety of booths and sit in the stands for experiences like Racing Pigs and Dock Dogs.
Seafair Pirate landing from 2015. (Stephanie Klein, MyNorthwest)
Seafair announced Wednesday that for the second year in a row, it will take place “largely in a virtual format.”
Despite Phase 3 rules still allowing for smaller outdoor gatherings and the return of live sports at T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field the popular summer festival cited ongoing concerns over logistics.
“Open-air, large-scale community gatherings without designated access and reserved seating, unlike the Mariners and Sounders, have different challenges with social distancing requirements to follow in order to keep our attendees safe,” Seafair spokesperson Patrick Harrison said in a written release.
Harrison went on to note that Seafair remains “eager to bring back events” next year, and is “heartbroken fans must limit social gatherings for a second summer.”