2020 Seafair Commemorative Magazine

2020 Commemorative Magazine
cover
A Northwest tradition for decades.
At a distance this year, but never apart.

Ederer Investment Company
is proud to support Seafair and its storied Northwest legacy
Ad - Deanne Ederer Emmons
2 Seafair 2020
Janice Walters Ederer
In her formal attire as a Princess and member of the
1963 Seafair Royal Court

Table of
Contents
a photo here?
Articles
5 Why We Need Seafair Now More Than Ever
21 Celebrating 70 Years of Hydros at Seafair
26 Seafair Royalty - Past, Present, & Future
Best of Seafair Moments Past
6 Seafair Family 4th
8 Milk Carton Derby
10 Torchlight Run
12 Alaska Airlines Torchlight Parade
15 Boeing Maritime Celebration Fleet Week
17 Boeing Seafair Air Show
20 HomeStreet Bank Cup
Seafair Supporters
14 A Letter to Our Volunteer Team
TOC
In perfect formation over the Space Needle
Photo by: Dixin Yan – Seafair Photography Committee
HM ad 2020.pdf 1 5/29/2020 10:50:40 AM
MISSING THE HYDROS THIS YEAR?
16 Sponsor Thank Yous
C
30 Families
M
Y
31 Board and Staff
CM
MY
hydro museum ad
CY
CMY
Magazine Editor
Patrick Harrison - Seafair
Designer
Shaun Swick - Encore Media Group
K
The nation’s only
public museum
dedicated solely
to powerboat
racing
Come visit them at the
Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum
Check out our website
for hours and directions
www.Thunderboats.org
Seafair 2020 3
5917 S. 196th Street Kent WA 98032 Phone: (206) 764-9453

BACK IN
THE HOUSE
iHeart radio
YOUR HOME FOR
THE HUSKIES
4 Seafair 2020

Seafair Kick-off
in Westlake Park.
King Mark is
crowned.
Photo by: Seafair
Photography Committee
Why
seafair
We
future
Need
Seafair Now
More Than
Ever
When I was asked to share my thoughts about
community, our future, current events, and how Seafair
IS summer, it seemed like such an easy thing to do.
Just dive in and share my experience. The crowns and
Clowns. The Pirates and hydros. The parades, the smiles,
the BBQs and Blue Angels. Yet, there was a little guy
inside me, pulling on my heartstring asking: “How can
you talk about happy things, and fun things and good
things—when things aren’t exactly that right now?”
My heart is with those who have lost loved ones to
COVID-19. My heart is with those who have been the
victims of injustice—as I watch unrest in cities throughout
our country. My heart is with those who have lost their
jobs and businesses during the pandemic. And my heart
is with those who are suffering. Let’s be honest—we’re
A truly distinctly Seattle celebration
Photo by: Sterling Yun – Seafair Photography Committee
living in a complicated and challenging time and the
pain is real.
And then I hear a whisper within: “We need more
voices, encouraging LOVE, reminding us of HOPE and
demonstrating PEACE. And NOW is the time.”
Okay. Count me in!
It used to be a peanut butter sandwich and a large glass
of milk at about 2 a.m. Now all I’m craving are smiles,
hugs, fun with friends and family—and a tsunami of
Seafair 2020 5

Memories of Seafair Summer 4th
Celebration
^ Amazing fireworks with the
skyline as a backdrop
^ Breathtaking view of Kite Hill
Best of Seafair Moments Past - 4th of July
^ Artistry
over Lake
Union
Family Fun
Breathtaking
view of Kite Hill:
Photo by Sterling
Yun – Seafair
Photography
Committee;
All others:
Photos by Dixin
Yan – Seafair
Photography
Committee
^ Lady Liberty’s torch above the crowd
6 Seafair 2020
Community
^
SUN BURN
All of Seattle coming together to celebrate

Clockwise from top left: A message a love from the Boeing Seafair Air
Show Pilots; Ooohs and ahhs at the Boeing Seafair Air Show; We are
all pirates at heart during Seafair
Photos by: Pamela Eaton-Ford Seafair Photography Committee; Greg McCorkle – Seafair
Photography Committee; Michael Bury – Seafair Photography Committee
seafair future
emotion to douse our communities in a protective coat
of love to harbor us from fear, and other natural or manmade
kryptonite.
The summer of 2015 became a bucket list I never knew
I had. It was truly the BEST… SUMMER… EVER. Sure—I
enjoyed the experience. It was magical. Yet what I quickly
came to realize is that there is a bond that keeps us
tied together. There is a glue that makes up the fabric
of our lives throughout the summer and that continues
throughout the year. There are miles that separate the
myriad communities where Seafair is welcomed with
open arms—and there are smiles from ear-to-ear when
you arrive anywhere, with anything that represents one of
America’s largest and most popular summer festivals.
Of course, we will miss all the glory of Seafair this
summer. Yet, without a doubt, I anticipate many diverse
and creative ways that people will come together in
their homes, their neighborhoods and in communities
throughout the region. I remember as a kid building a
wooden hydro, tying it to and pulling it behind my bike.
And who says we can’t have a parade—from porch to
porch, culdesac to culdesac? I’m looking forward to
the joyful, inspiring and creative ways that we’ll all find
solace and sharing in celebrating summer in our own
special ways.
As I look back to that epic summer, I realize more than
ever the importance of events—and how they are a
platform for connecting, sharing, celebrating, loving
and experiencing. I remember when I first sat in Seafair’s
conference room with Queen Alcyone Suzanna Darcy-
Henneman, an inspiration herself as Chief Test Pilot
for Boeing’s 777 program. We reviewed the ‘ask’ from
Seafair, which included what would amount to nearly an
event every day. I thought, “What an honor and privilege.
To be surrounded by some of the most incredible
people, sponsors, the thousands of Seafair volunteers,
community organizers—and hundreds of others that
make Seafair in Seattle a celebration which plays out in a
new way, every year.”
Well, I have a secret to share: What I loved MOST about
the Seafair experience? YOU!
Seafair 2020 7

Memories of the Milk Carton Derby
cheer
Seattle’s original
STEM Project
< The famous Slo Mooo Shun - 1974
Slo-Mooo-Shun, Dino Power: Photo by Seafair
Historical Photos; Creativity: Photo by: Jeff Cook –
Seafair Photography Committee; Spirit: Photo by:
Greg McCorkle – Seafair Photography Committee;
Cheering: Photo by: Dale Cunning – Seafair
Photography Committee; Whale: Photo by: Jay
Tolbert – Seafair Photography Committee
Best of Seafair Moments Past - Derby
^ Getting into the spirit
^ Creativity abounds each year!
Laughter
allages
A whale sighting on Green Lake
^ Dino Power
from 1982
> Cheering
on their
favorites
8 Seafair 2020

seafair future
We were building community, from the first day at
Westlake Park to the landing of the Pirates on Alki, the
kids triathlon at Seward Park to the arrival of the military
fleet, from the Torchlight Parade to the weekend in the
hydro pits, from Kirkland’s 4th of July Parade to the Milk
Carton Derby. From neighborhood to neighborhood,
the crown simply became the symbol of friendship,
embracing moments of sharing, the smiles, and at
times—so much love that it often brought tears to my
eyes. It was clear. I finally understood Seafair. Made up
of hundreds of events, put on by thousands of people,
enjoyed by millions. Pure fun. Pure joy. Pure love.
This summer the Seafair spirit will live on in a different
way. And that’s okay—we love a good challenge! Each
of us will find new and creative ways of bringing joy, love,
peace and friendship to neighbors, friends, families
and our communities. From corn dogs on the corner to
random acts of kindness, porch pirates to the culdesac
clowns and commodores—we’ve got this, friends! As
we search for ways to find the good in a summer like no
Clockwise from top left: Seafair family fun; Crowds on the
South Shore at Seafair Weekend; A crowd pleaser; All ages
love a parade!
Photos by: Jeff Cook – Seafair Photography Committee; Greg McCorkle – Seafair
Photography Committee; Dixin Yan – Seafair Photography Committee; Sterling Yun –
Seafair Photography Committee
other—thank you to everyone who has made Seafair so
special, creating lasting memories for all of us the past
71 years, and who will continue to be a catalyst to unite
communities and celebrate again in 2021!
Mark Dyce-Ryan
King Neptune 2015
Partner, Why For Good
Seafair 2020 9

Memories of the Torchlight Run
EXHAUSTED
^ Amazing views from the old viaduct
FUN
^ Fun for all ages
Best of Seafair Moments Past - Torchlight Run
^ Receiving encouragement
from the crowd
CROWD SUPPORT
^ The 2019 finisher medals
10 Seafair 2020
HEALTH
^ The anticipation grows
Viaduct: Photo by: Steven A. Schimmelman
– Seafair Photography Committee; Crowd,
All Ages: Photo by: Sterling Yun – Seafair
Photography Committee; Anticipation,
Medals: Photo by: Sherwin Eng – Seafair
Photography Committee

capitol one
Seafair 2020 11

Memories of the Alaska Airlines Torchlight Parade
Diversity
^ Full of energy – the Chinese Dragon Team
^ The balloons are afloat
Over 70 years
Best of Seafair Moments Past - Parade
Family FUN
4th Ave: Photo by: Seafair Historical Photos; Torchlight 1970:
Photo by: Seafair Historical Photos; Balloons: Photo by: Greg
McCorkle – Seafair Photography Committee; Chinese Dragon:
Photo by: Shewing Eng – Seafair Photography Committee;
Alaska Airlines Drill Team: Photo by: Sterling Yun – Seafair
Photography Committee
^ Looking down 4th Avenue 1959
^ Always a crowd
favorite – The Alaska
Airlines Drill Team
^ A Torchlight memory from 1970
Community
12 Seafair 2020

alaska airlines
Seafair 2020 13

Dear Seafair
volunteers:
From its start, Seafair has relied on the generosity of you,
our volunteers, to help us plan, prepare, and execute our
volunteer letter
events—you touch every program we produce with your
skills, your experience, your vision, and your leadership.
You have chosen to donate the most precious of
commodities: your time.
You have come to us as individuals, as families, as
members of schools and religious organizations. We
have civic and social organizations who volunteer, as
well as those who come on behalf of their business or
corporation. No matter where you come from, or what
your skill set, we want to express our appreciation for
you.
You bring so much to this organization and are essential
to creating more than 70 years of Seafair memories, for
so many. Without our volunteers, there would be no
Seafair.
For being part of our family and part of the tradition that
brings joy to millions each year across the Puget Sound
Region; for being the most important part of Seafair,
selflessly donating hundreds of thousands of personal
hours year-round to make sure that Seafair goes off
smoothly …
A heartfelt Thank You.
The Seafair Board, Staff, and fans
14 Seafair 2020

Memories of Boeing Maritime Celebration Fleet Week
country
^ Mount Rainier greets the Navy
BRAVERY
Best of Seafair Moments Past - Fleet Week
The crew on
the 1962 carrier
entering Elliott
Bay >
^ The crowds
welcome the
arrival of a
battleship - 1955
DUTY
^ The Parade of Ships 2019
Battleship, 1962 Carrier:
Photo by: Seafair
Historical Photos;
Pulling into Seattle:
Photo by: Sherwin Eng
– Seafair Photography
Committee; Parade,
Mount Rainier: Photo by:
Michael Bury – Seafair
Photography Committee
^ Pulling into Seattle
Seafair 2020 15

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR 2020 PARTNERS
sponsor
thank you
16 Seafair 2020
Photo Credit: Pamela Eaton-Ford. Seafair Photography Committee

Memories of the Boeing Seafair Air Show
^ The US Army Golden
Knights preparing to land
in Genesee Park, 2019
Power
^ The 1972 Blue Angels Team
awe
1972 Blue Angels: Photo by: Seafair Historical Photos;
Golden Knights: Photo by: Charles Aggenbach –
Seafair Photography Committee; Blue Angels, Boeing:
Photo by: Dixin Yan – Seafair Photography Committee;
Coast Guard helicopters: Photo by: Jason Tanaka –
Seafair Photography Committee
Best of Seafair Moments Past - Air Show
^ The US Navy Blue Angels
over Lake Washington
Artistry
^ The US Marine helicopters move
in over the racecourse
G Force!
^ The Boeing ecoDemonstrator
soars over Lake Washington
Seafair 2020 17

boeing
COMMITTED
TO COMMUNITY
At Boeing, we honor our Puget Sound roots and each year we look forward to helping gather the
community together around a favorite summer tradition—Seafair. While this year is different than years
past, we know patience and perseverance only makes us stronger. All of us at Boeing look forward to
an exciting return of Seafair next year, and are proud to be a long-standing partner of this festival
as we continue building a sound future together.
boeing.com/washington
18 Seafair 2020

boeing
Seafair 2020 19

Memories of the HomeStreet Bank Cup
^ Stan Sayres Pits 1964
Excitement
^ The Vintage U-77 Miss Wahoo
thundering again on Lake Washington
Sayres Pits: Photo by: Seafair Historical
Pictures; HomeStreet Bank boat , HomeStreet
Bank Cup: Photo by: Jason Tanaka – Seafair
Photography Committee; Miss Wahoo: Photo
by: Debbie Gilman – Seafair Photography
Committee; Race to the finish: Photo by:
Jeff Cook – Seafair Photography Committee
Best of Seafair Moments Past - Hydros
^ The HomeStreet Bank boat
pulls ahead
SPEED
THUNDER
^ Home to the HomeStreet Bank Cup
FAMILY
FUN
^ The race to the finish
20 Seafair 2020

Seventy Years of Seafair
Hydroplane
Racing History
Hydro 70 years article - 3 pages
Background: 1950s Hydroplane Races;
Inset, from top: Ride along with the 1974
Pay n’ Pak; The U4 and U22 boats headed
for the finish line - 1950s
Background: #193493, Courtesy of the Seattle Municipal
Archives; Pay n' Pak: H&RM Photo Collection; U4 and
U22: Seafair Historical Photos
Seafair 2020 21

Hydro 70 years article - 3 pages
In a world that has been turned upside down by the
Covid-19 crisis, it is only natural that we should spend
some time examining our sport, celebrating its 70th
anniversary as part of Seafair Weekend, and what
purpose it serves in a sophisticated city like Seattle.
I am sure that the sport means something different
to every fan, but for me it provides three equally
important things. First, it offers tremendous examples
of inspirational stories of men who shouldn’t have been
able to do what they did; but they dared and tried and
succeeded. Second, it gives a wonderful sense of time
and place. In a way, it gives an historical perspective
on where we have come from. Third, it provides heartpounding,
spine-tingling entertainment. As I look back
on the 70-year history of hydroplane racing at Seafair, I
can see wonderful examples of all three.
The very first Seafair Hydroplane race took place in
1951. But even before then, the hydros were telling an
inspiring story. Since 1897, some of the wealthiest men
in the world had been chasing the World Water Speed
Record. For over 50 years, the record inched up a mile
an hour or two each year until it stood at 141.74mph
and was held by a wealthy English adventurer named Sir
Malcom Campbell. In 1950 a Seattle car dealer named
Stanley Sayers teamed up with boat builder Anchor
Jensen and Boeing employee Ted Jones to put together
a revolutionary new boat named the Slo-mo-shun IV.
They believed they could dethrone Campbell.
The Slo-mo-shun was an entirely Seattle product. They
used Boeing-inspired aircraft construction techniques
along with an airplane engine to smash the record by
almost 20 miles per hour. It rose to over 160.32 mph and
proved that the Seattle ingenuity was more than a match
for European aristocracy.
For a sense of time and place, there isn’t another race
quite as poignant as the 1968 Seafair Trophy race. There
was a cultural revolution going on across America. The
short-hair, button-down world of the 1950s was giving
way to peace, love, and rock & roll. In music, fashion,
and politics it seemed like old traditions were falling
by the wayside and the new philosophy was “anything
goes!” The traditional round nosed solid colored hydros
22 Seafair 2020

From top left: The fight for the 1955 Trophy; June 26,
1950, the Slo-mo-shun IV set the World’s Water speed
record on Lake Washington at 160.323 mph.; Cover of
the first Hydro program 1950; Ride along with the 1974
Pay n’ Pak ; The pits in 1959; Bill Muncey
1955 Trophy, Hydro program, Pits in 1959: Seafair Historical Files, Slo-mushun
IV, Play n' Pak, Muncey: H&RM Photo Collection
Hydro 70 years article - 3 pages
were suddenly being replaced by boats with forked
bows and strange “V” shaped tail fins. Psychedelic paint
schemes and bell-bottom crew uniforms were suddenly
the rage. Drivers that had been ex-military men with crew
cut hair now slipped their helmets over “mop tops” and
“ponytails.” But in the end it didn’t matter—the win in
1968 didn’t go to the psychedelic Gale’s Roostertail or
the futuristic-looking Miss Smirnoff with the forked bow
and “V” shaped tail, it went to the red, white, and blue
Miss U.S. driven by conservative, traditional Bill Muncey
who in 1968 also happened to be the GOP nominee for
Lieutenant Governor.
For knock-down, no-holds-barred excitement, there has
never been a race quite as thrilling as the 1973 Seafair
Trophy Race. In an era of open cockpit boats with no
seatbelts or any other significant safety equipment, it
was a race that frankly shouldn’t have been run. Leading
up to the Seafair Sunday, the weather had been one
gorgeous sunny Seattle day after another, but race
day dawned with a heavy overcast and drizzling rain
that limited visibility to less than 200 feet. The drivers
wanted to race, so the show went on regardless of the
rain. Dean Chenoweth in the Miss Budweiser and Mickey
Remund in the Pay N’ Pak raced side by side all day in
breathtakingly close heats, while fans who could barely
see the boats had to depend on the roaring engines to
tell where the hydros were on the race course. The two
boats traded the lead, and the worlds record on almost
every lap until the final straightaway of the final lap, and
Remund pulled the Pay N’ Pak ahead to win by less than
a boat length in a race that fans still talk about.
There is one other aspect of our sport that is important
to me. That is the healing sense of community that it
fosters. For the last 70 years, people from the wealthiest
and poorest neighborhoods have been coming down to
the lake shore, loudly cheering together for their favorite
hydros. This wonderful sense of community is what I will
really miss this year, and what I look forward to the most
for next summer.
David Williams
Executive Director
Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum
Seafair 2020 23

In times like these, community matters more than ever.
HomeStreet Bank is proud to partner with Seafair in celebrating the
people and events that make Seattle such a special place to live.
We can’t wait to hear the roar of the hydroplanes again and
watch summer fireworks light up the sky. Until then, we’re here for you,
and eager to help with your financial needs.
Visit us at your neighborhood branch or online at
homestreet.com
home street
24 Seafair 2020

home street
Seafair 2020 25

26 Seafair 2020
Royalty article - 3 pages

The History of Seafair Royalty
In the 1940s, Seattle was a sleepy port city with a
population just over 360,000. While many other smaller
Washington cities had festivals to draw tourists, Seattle
was without an event to call its own. In early 1950,
Seattle changed that. Walter Van Camp arrived from St.
Paul where he had served as director of St. Paul’s highly
successful Winter Carnival, and he brought with him
many ideas for this new Seattle summer festival. Time
was of the essence to orchestrate all that was involved
for the festival to take place that August.
was about. In 1950, publicity was a bit more difficult to
achieve. Local TV consisted of only one channel, KING-
TV, which aired only seven hours of programming each
day. The radio community and both local newspapers
embraced the new festival. Barbara Curtis fondly
recalled her reign over the festival: “It was a magical
time in the city, but a bit chaotic. No one knew what the
To start, a make-believe nautical tale was created to
bring the festival to life. The Legend of Seafair perfectly
captured the water carnival theme. The personalities of
the legend came to be known as King Neptune, Emperor
of the Ocean and King of All the Seas, Prime Minister,
and Queen of the Seas along with a Royal Court,
composed of two Ladies-in-Waiting, Princesses, Captain
Royalty article - 3 pages
of the Guard, twelve King’s Guardsmen, two Trumpeters,
and Royal Pages. This Royal entourage would add to the
new festival’s pomp and pageantry.
Van Kamp turned to the Washington Athletic Club and
its 101 Club to find the male monarchs. This group of
business professionals worked to support athletics and
civic projects for decades, and it was a natural for King
Neptune and his Prime Minister to be selected from
this illustrious group. Local businessman Victor E. Rabel
served as the first King Neptune with Ray Eckmann
as Prime Minister. The selection of the Queen of the
Seas would take place at the Civic Auditorium, known
today as the Center House. There were 20 princesses
representing local communities vying for the title of
Queen. The coronation was a spectacle marked by a
two-hour pageant, which included elaborate scenery
and regalia, King Neptune rising out of the ocean, and
the enactment of the Legend of Seafair. The selection
of Barbara Curtis as the first Queen of the Seas was the
highlight of the program followed by the announcement
of her Ladies-in-Waiting, Sylvia Montgomery and Colleen
Kennedy. A group of counsellors served as judges to
select the Queen.
From top: Community Princesses from 1952; The Royal
Boys from 1956; Opposite page: 1960 Seafair Finale
Photos by: Seafair Historical Photo
Seafair’s first festival was a success, with enthusiastic
crowds attending the myriad of events, even though the
majority of Seattleites did not know what the festival
Seafair 2020 27

Royalty article - 3 pages
Royalty was all about. The King, Prime Minister, and
I along with our entourage rode around wearing our
royal attire, and we received the strangest looks. People
wondered why we were dressed up for Halloween in the
middle of August!”
Setting the stage for future Seafair Royals, the 1950 Royal
Court represented Seattle and Seafair as spokespersons
throughout the year, visiting hospitals, retirement homes,
communities, and other festival across the state as well
as greeting visiting dignitaries.
Lavish pageantry continued through the decade of the
’50s and into the ’60s. The coronation venue shifted from
the Civic Auditorium to the Green Lake Aqua Theatre.
Kings and Prime Ministers continued to come from the
WAC’s 101 Club. Their reputations and respect added
to the believability of their royal roles. A panel of judges,
known as the “Secret Seven,” evaluated the princesses
on poise, general conduct, speaking ability, and beauty.
But Seafair was not immune to societal changes.
The Vietnam War, political activism, racial unrest,
assassinations, the feminist movement, and the
hippie movement moved Seafair off the front pages
of local newspapers. Times were changing. Seattle
added professional sports teams and other big events
throughout the year providing different options for the
citizens of the Puget Sound.
The latter part of the ’60s and ’70s made way for
updating all aspects of the festival including the Royalty.
The Royal Court was streamlined, and the coronation
took place in different locations. A panel of published
judges replaced the “Secret Seven.” The princesses
were now evaluated on specific areas including personal
interviews, academic review, community work, leadership,
and eventually talent/creative expression. Callie Lynn
Garcia served as the first woman of color to win the title
in 1971 and opened the door for more women of color
to participate. Callie was the last Seafair Queen of the
Seas, as the Women’s Rights Movement contributed to
changing the name of Seafair Queen to Miss Seafair. In
1974, Galen Motin was the first African American to win
the title of Miss Seafair, opening the door further.
The festival did not have any male rulers from 1972 to
1974. From 1975 to 1977, a King Neptune and a Miss
Seafair, along with her runners-up, ruled over Seafair.
Once again, the King came from the 101 Club and,
beginning in 1978, the Prime Minister came from one of
the five Seafair Family groups. A scholarship was added
28 Seafair 2020

From top left: JFK and sister Eunice, receive the key to city. Presented by Queen
Midge - 1960; Princess Janice Walters Ederer, 1963; 1974 Miss Seafair, Galen Motin;
Bob Hope with Seafair Queen and Clowns from 1964; 2019 Seafair Royalty – Andrea
Diaz, Rich Gray, Kim Holcomb; ’70s Seafair Royalty; Seafair Royalty welcome Bing
Crosby to Seafair, 1959
JFK: Photo by: Seafair Historical Photo; Ederer, Motin, Bob Hope, ’70s Royalty: Photos by: Seafair Historical Photo;
2019 Royalty: Photo by: Greg McCorkle – Seafair Photography Committee
to the title of the pageant in 1980, and in 1985, the
scholarship program replaced the pageant.
More changes were on the horizon for the festival as
it moved into the ’80s and ’90s. Seafair introduced a
variety of affordable events which aimed at involving
people of all ages and backgrounds. In 1999, Seafair
celebrated its 50th Anniversary. The Aqua Follies
at Green Lake came alive again for four sold-out
performances. Vintage and modern hydros raced
on Lake Washington. All Seafair events drew record
crowds. Former Kings, Prime Ministers, and Miss Seafairs
attended many of the special events including the
Coronation of Breann Parriott as Miss Seafair 1999 by the
first Seafair Queen, Barbara Curtis Wall.
The decade of The New Millennium brought an update
to the Royalty program yet again by adding Queen
Alcyone, meaning calming of the seas, to the Royal
Court. After having a King and Prime Minister for 50
years, Queen Alcyone enabled Seafair to honor both a
male and female that have made significant contributions
in the community. The selection of Miss Seafair followed
the same format through 2018.
Seafair Royalty has continued to evolve throughout the
decades to keep it relevant to the times in which we
live. In 2019, the festival changed yet again, deciding to
select Miss Seafair based on her academic abilities, public
speaking skills, and community service with nominations
coming from local universities. Andrea Diaz, Miss Seafair,
joined Rich Gray as King Neptune, and Kim Holcomb as
Queen Alcyone, as the 70th Seafair Court. In the future,
a new program will emerge, supporting local young
women. The Women in Leadership Program will provide
support, encouragement, and leadership opportunities for
local young women in college. This new program, being
developed by local female leaders, will provide networking
and real-world experience to help young women,
including minorities and those who would not otherwise
have access to such opportunities, achieve at a high level
and prepare to be women leaders in the workforce.
Throughout seven decades, each Seafair Royal Court
accepted the role in a slightly different way, but all
served to celebrate the tradition of Seafair and the
community spirit of greater Seattle. Though 2020 will
not see a Seafair Royal Court, Royalty will always be an
important part of the history, and future, of Seafair.
JoAnne Ludwig
Official Historian of Seafair Royalty
Seafair 2020 29

Families
Seafair is proud to work with five distinct and
independent volunteer organizations collectively known
as the “Seafair Family Groups.” These organizations who
have been part of Seafair since its inception, support and
enhance Seafair through appearances and thousands of
volunteer hours year-round. They represent the finest in
servant leadership throughout the Puget Sound Region.
Seafair Boat Club
The Seafair Boat Club supports Seafair’s water-oriented
activities, such as the Lucerne Seafair Milk Carton Derby
presented by Safeway-Albertsons and the HomeStreet
Bank Cup. In addition, they support the Seafair
Foundation’s 76 Holiday Cruise for the intellectually
disabled. Learn more at Seafairboatclub.org
families
Greg McCorkle - Seafair Photography Committee
Seattle Seafair Commodores
The Seattle Seafair Commodores are the goodwill
ambassadors of the Seafair Festival to communities
throughout Seattle and the greater Northwest, from
Oregon to Canada. In addition, they support the
Seafair via philanthropy and logistics, in particular the
Seafair Women in Leadership Program. Learn more at
Seafaircommodores.com
Seafair Parade Marshals
The Seafair Parade Marshals assist in the planning,
promotion, and production of the Seafair Torchlight
Parade, as well as assisting local parades in more
than 20 different communities. Learn more at
Seafairparademarshals.org
Seattle Seafair Clowns
The Seafair Clowns participate in community festivals and
parades throughout the region, as well as visiting nursing
homes and hospitals and raising money for charity, all
while spreading laughter and good cheer. Learn more at
Seafairclowns.org
Seattle Seafair Pirates
The shenanigans of the Seattle Seafair Pirates have
become synonymous with Seafair revelry since the 1950s.
The Seafair Pirates schedule more than 250 appearances
each year to hospitals, nursing homes, and charity
functions, all while promoting Seafair and the Seattle
community. Learn more at Seafairpirates.org
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Staff
Administration
Eric Corning
President & CEO
Patrick Harrison
Director of Marketing & Communications
Michael McMorrow
Director of Creative & Programming
Executive Producer Seafair Television Broadcasts
Jennifer Willison
Director of Finance & Administration
Kyle Brown
Director of Programs
Event Operations
Jessica Sommerville
Director of Events
Dana Quinn
Event Producer
Corporate Partnerships, Sales & Hospitality
Jen Tolle
Partnership & Sales Manager
Denise Thomas
Administrative Services Manager
Barb Fox
Guest Services & 2015 Volunteer of the Year
Year-round Office Volunteer
Board of Directors
board and staff
Executive Committee
Chair
Joel Andrus; Seattle Fire Department
Chair-Elect
David Crump; Crump Law Firm, PLLC
Past- Chair/Governance Michelle Rudd; Summit Trail
Treasurer
Deanne Ederer Emmons; Ederer Investment
Secretary
Maria Tringali; Avalara
Government Affairs
Natalie Quick; Natalie Quick Consulting
Alumni Advisory
Jimmy Collins; Jimmy Collins & Associates
Member-At-Large
Phontel Shami; The Boeing Company
Member-At-Large
Delmas Whittaker; Port of Seattle
Board Members
Jaymelina Esmele, Special Olympics Washington
Steve Shaw, Work of Honor
Pam Anderson, Perkins Coie LLP
Michelle Pinson, Washington Athletic Club
DeLee Shoemaker, Microsoft
Keith Taylor, Holland America Group
Kedest Tesfagiorgis, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Mark Gleason, USI Insurance Services
Carter Pope, Navy Federal Credit Union
Lindsay Lundberg, Parker Staffing
Matt Kaslik, US Navy (ret.)
Ken Grant, IntaGreat
Military Liaisons
COL Mark Geraldi, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
RDML Stephen Barnett, U.S. Navy Region Northwest
– one-star
RADM Anthony J. Vogt, U.S. Coast Guard, District 13
– two-star
LTG Randy George, U.S. Army I Corps & JBLM – 3-star
Seafair 2020 31

COMMITTED
TO COMMUNITY
boeing again
At Boeing, we honor our Puget Sound roots and each year we look forward to helping gather the
community together around a favorite summer tradition—Seafair. While this year is different than years
past, we know patience and perseverance only makes us stronger. All of us at Boeing look forward to
an exciting return of Seafair next year, and are proud to be a long-standing partner of this festival
as we continue building a sound future together.
boeing.com/washington
32 Seafair 2020