Cheap Fun: Seafair Torchlight Parade | Seattle Times Newspaper

Everyone loves a parade, and for more than 60 years the Seafair Torchlight Parade has set the bar sky-high — or at least as high as those giant helium balloons hover.

A combination of music, thrills and maybe even a little Seafair summertime magic, the parade features precision-drill teams, equestrian units, clowns, swashbuckling pirates and heart-pounding bands. (And speaking of bands, keep an eye out for this year's Grand Marshal, rock 'n' roll hall-of-famer Duff McKagan, a founding member of Guns n' Roses and Velvet Revolver.)

You could buy a seat for the parade, but then you'd miss the traditional fun of claiming your curbside roost hours ahead of time (and you'd miss the whole point of Cheap Fun). Plus, you have 2.5 miles to find a spot.

The parade starts at Seattle Center at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 28, and marches along Fourth Avenue. (If you dare leave your seat, you can head over to the preparade Seafair Torchlight Spectacular at Seattle Center from 2-6 p.m. for a sneak peek at exhibits, floats and parade participants.)

More information: www.seafair.com/torchlightparade.

Sandy Dunham, Seattle Times features staff