Torchlight Parade packs Seattle streets

Lawn chairs and couches lined the streets of downtown Seattle for the 65^th annual Torchlight Parade Saturday night.

This year, soccer stars Clint Dempsey and DeAndre Yedlin will be the Grand Marshals, leading a series of floats, giant balloons, clowns, and Seafair Pirates. Dempsey said this Torchlight Parade was his first, but compared the fun to his small hometown of Nacogdoches, Texas.

Yedlin, an O'Dea High School grad, grew up in Seattle and said he was excited to be part of the city’s tradition.

"I can't say I had this much fun in Boston," Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole told KIRO 7 anchor Steve Raible while riding in the parade.

The SeaGals and Blue Thunder also were part of the Torchlight Parade. Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, a Seattle native, was part of the Torchlight Parade for the first time, riding with his husband Michael Shiosaki.

Destry Johnson was the fastest man in the Seafair Torchlight Run 8K, completing the course in 25:09. Kimber Hinson was the fastest woman in 28:11. Joel Ambo was the fastest man in the 5K, finishing in 14:43. Lana Lace was the top woman in 17:27. There were 2,793 runners overall.

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