7 things to look for: 2017 Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade

The annual Torchlight Parade is one of Seattle's most anticipated Seafair events. This year marks the parade's 68th anniversary of bridging communities, creating summer memories, and celebrating Seattle tradition.

It all begins during KIRO 7 News at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and builds up to the big parade at 8 p.m. Watch on-air or online here. 

Here are things to look out for during this year's Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade

1. 2017 Parade Grand Marshals

Actors Billy Burke and James Wolk are the Seafair Torchlight Parade Grand Marshals this year. Burke is most recognized for his role as the father of Bella Swan, Charlie Swan, in the "Twilight" film franchise. Wolk played the role of Douglas Hammond in the mini-series "Political Animals."

>> Related: Chris Pratt proves you're never too famous to say, "Hi, Mom!" at Torchlight 2016

2. Torchlight FanFest

If you can't wait to experience the parade, you can get up close and personal with Seafair personalities, explore food vendors, and preview parade units and floats along Mercer Street. This event is free to the public.

3. Torchlight Traffic

The Seafair Torchlight Run followed by the Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade will heavily impact travel times from areas around Seattle Center to the SODO neighborhood.

The Seafair Torchlight 5K and 8K runs will begin at 6 p.m. prior to the Torchlight parade. 4th Avenue between Denny Way and Wall Street will be closed starting at 4 p.m. for staging.

Northbound SR 99 will also close from South Royal Brougham Way near the stadiums and Harrison Street for the 8K Run between 5 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. All southbound lanes will remain open.

The Torchlight Parade will occupy 4th Avenue from Broad Street to Washington Street starting at 7:30 p.m. Roads will reopen by 10:30 p.m. but expect congestion as crowds leave the event.

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4. The Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Drill Team

Alaska Airlines flight attendants from all around the country will perform a choreographed dance routine at Torchlight, armed with suitcases and in full uniform.

>> See the best parade moments from 2016 in this photo gallery. 

5. Seafair Pirates and the Moby Duck

Look out for a loud boom, a blast of black smoke, and the smell of gunpowder as the Seafair Pirates invade Torchlight once again. The Seafair Pirates rode in their first Seafair parade in a 1920 Seagrave pumper, an old fire truck loaned from Seattle Fire Chief Bill Fitzgerald.

The Coast Guard later gave them a DUKW, a World War II landing craft. The new craft was renamed "The Moby Duck."

6. KIRO 7 on the Boeing Hydroplane

KIRO's very own news team will be riding along the parade route and reporting live from the Boeing hydroplane.

7. History of the Seafair Festival and the Torchlight Parade:

This year marks the 68th year of the Seafair Torchlight Parade, but long before the maritime theme, there was a flower parade.

The week of May 1 to May 7, 1949 was proclaimed City of Flowers Week by the Seattle City Council. After a flower show and the crowning of a “queen,” the week ended with a parade through downtown Seattle.

In late September 1949, a water-themed festival was planned for Seattle to take place the following summer.

More than 150,000 came to downtown Seattle to witness the first ever Seafair parade in the summer of 1950.

Cox Media Group