Seafair Announces 2025 Royalty and New Community Hero Program
Beloved Summer Festival Welcomes Eric Johnson and Carmen Best as 2025 King Neptune and Queen Alcyone, and Launches New Program to Honor Emerging Community Leaders
SEATTLE, WA — Seafair is proud to announce the 2025 Seafair Royalty: longtime KOMO News anchor, Eric Johnson, as King Neptune and former Seattle Police Chief, Carmen Best, as Queen Alcyone. These two local legends will serve as ambassadors throughout Seafair’s 76th season, bringing energy, experience, and civic pride to events across the region.
Eric Johnson retired in 2024 after more than three decades as a trusted news anchor and storyteller for the people of the Pacific Northwest. Carmen Best, a trailblazer in public safety and security, has long championed equity, community engagement, and service. Together, they embody the heart and soul of Seattle, a city shaped by those who lead with purpose.
Since 1950, Seafair Royalty has represented the joy, unity, and civic spirit that define summer in Seattle. Johnson and Best will continue this proud tradition, connecting communities through celebration and service.
In addition to announcing this year’s Royalty, Seafair is also introducing the Seafair Community Hero program. This new program celebrates emerging leaders, ages 18 and older, who are creating meaningful changes in their communities, whether through environmental advocacy, arts and culture, science and technology, education, grassroots organizing, or innovation. One changemaker each year will be offered a tailored Seafair experience, with opportunities to elevate their work and engage new audiences.
What Makes a Seafair Community Hero?
A Community Hero might be:
- A Role Model who uplifts others through action and authenticity
- A Community Catalyst engaged in volunteerism or cause-driven work
- An Advocate speaking out on issues like diversity, education, or sustainability
- A Story of Strength — someone who has turned personal challenges into inspiration for others
Nominations for the 2025 Seafair Community Hero will open April 30 and close May 25, 2025. To nominate a Hero or learn more, visit seafair.org/community-hero.
The launch of the Seafair Community Hero program marks the sunset of the Miss Seafair tradition. For more than 70 years, Miss Seafair served as a symbol of goodwill, leadership, and civic pride. We are deeply grateful to all who held the title and helped shape Seafair’s legacy. This next chapter builds on that foundation while broadening the lens to reflect the ever-evolving spirit of our community and our region.
Follow along @seafairfestival for updates, stories, and appearances from this year’s Community Hero and Royalty Select.
About Seafair Charitable Foundation
Since 1950, nothing has been more synonymous with summer in Seattle than Seafair. Before the Seahawks and Mariners called Seattle home, before the 1962 World’s Fair that gave us the iconic Space Needle, Seattle celebrated Seafair. Today, the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization has grown into a multi-week festival with events across the Puget Sound touching more than two million people. Times may have changed since its inception, but the core values of Seafair remain dedicated to being a community and volunteer – driven festival and a catalyst for creating experiences that celebrate the best parts of living in the Emerald City. For more information, visit seafair.org.
