2027 Alaska Airlines Seafair

Torchlight Parade

Help us light up the night

Bring your organization, performers, float, cultural group or one-of-a-kind parade entry to the Seattle Waterfront for the 2027 Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade.

Saturday, July 31, 2027Parade Day
Seattle WaterfrontSeattle, Washington
February 1, 2027Applications Open
June 30, 2027Application Deadline
Apply to Participate →

Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. All entries are reviewed by the Torchlight Parade Selection Committee.

Find Your Entry Type

Not sure where your group fits? Start here.

Bands

Marching bands, drumlines and other musical groups.

Drill Teams

Precision drill, dance and performance teams.

Floats

Fully decorated, self-propelled parade floats.

Equestrian

Horse and riding groups.

Specialty Units

Unique vehicles, cultural entries and other one-of-a-kind parade units.

Hydroplanes

Hydroplane entries participating in the Torchlight Parade.

Not sure which category is right for your group? Contact parade@seafair.org before applying.

What We're Looking For

Torchlight is about creating an unforgettable experience for spectators along the entire parade route.

Entertainment Value

Bring energy to the route. We're looking for entries that engage and entertain spectators from beginning to end.

Community + Culture

Torchlight celebrates the communities, cultures and traditions that make our region unique.

Creative + Professional Presentation

Entries should feel parade-ready: thoughtfully designed, organized, choreographed and presented.

Bring your parade entry to life.

Help the Selection Committee picture your entry on the Seattle Waterfront. Share photos or videos of your performances, costumes, vehicles, floats or past parade appearances.

Before You Apply

Torchlight is a major parade production. Before submitting an application, make sure your group is prepared for the commitment.

Detailed parade-day instructions are provided to accepted units before the parade.
  • Follow all directions from Seafair Parade Marshals and Seattle Police.
  • Be prepared to follow the safety and operational requirements provided to accepted units.
  • Maintain parade pace, spacing and forward motion when required.
  • Provide required insurance documentation.
  • Complete required participant waivers.
  • Arrive well before the parade for check-in, staging and preparation.
  • Arrange transportation and personal-vehicle parking as needed.
  • Participate for the full parade route and follow all Assembly and Dispersal procedures.

Know Before You Apply

Each unit type has specific requirements. Review the information for your unit below before applying.

Bands + Drill Teams
Torchlight is a moving parade. Marching units should be prepared to maintain forward motion and appropriate spacing throughout the route. Designated performance opportunities may be available, but performances elsewhere on the route must follow Torchlight's forward-motion requirements.
Floats
Floats must meet Torchlight's dimensional, mechanical and safety requirements and are subject to inspection. Detailed float requirements will be provided to accepted units.
Equestrian Units
Equestrian units must meet Torchlight's animal-control and cleanup requirements. Riders must remain in control of their animals at all times.
Specialty Units
Specialty units must meet all applicable vehicle, participant, safety and signage requirements.
Accepted units will receive their individual parade packets with detailed requirements and instructions.

Entry Fees

Application fees help support the production of the Torchlight Parade. Entry fees are based on organization type and annual operating budget or gross revenue.

Nonprofits

Small Nonprofit501(c)(3) organizations with annual operating budgets under $1M. Form 990 will be used to verify the fee level.
$100
Large Nonprofit501(c)(3) organizations with annual operating budgets over $1M
$750

Commercial Businesses

Small Business (New)Commercial business with gross revenue up to $5M
$1,500
Midsize Business (New)Commercial business with gross revenue over $5M
$3,000
Large Corporation / Commercial EntryCommercial business with gross revenue over $25M
$7,000

What You'll Need to Apply

Having everything ready before you begin will make your application easier.

  • Organization or group information
  • Primary contact information
  • Parade unit type
  • A clear description of your proposed entry
  • Estimated number of participants
  • Photos of your unit
  • Video links, when available
  • Vehicle or float information, when applicable
  • Information about what spectators will see and experience
  • Any additional information requested for your unit type

What Happens After You Apply?

Here's what to expect.

1

Apply

Submit your completed Torchlight Parade application and required materials by the deadline.

2

Committee Review

The Selection Committee considers entertainment value, presentation and overall fit within the parade.

3

Acceptance

Selected units receive confirmation from Seafair along with next steps.

4

Participant Requirements

Accepted units complete required documentation, including insurance and participant waivers.

5

Parade Information

Accepted units receive their individual parade packets with unit-specific arrival, Assembly, route, safety and Dispersal instructions.

6

Parade Day

Check in. Get staged. Meet your Parade Marshals. And get ready for Torchlight!

Torchlight Parade Awards

Each year, standout entries are recognized for creativity, craftsmanship, performance and community spirit along the parade route.

2026 Parade Award Categories

🏆
Emerald City First Class AwardPresented by Alaska Airlines
⭐
Community Spirit AwardPresented by Seafair Parade Marshals
🏅
Seafair Workmanship AwardPresented by Davis Sign
💡
Innovation + Tech AwardPresented by Boeing
🏆
Exceptional Merit AwardPresented by Lincoln Towing
👑
Seafair Royalty AwardPresented by Seafair
🥁
Best BandPresented by Seafair Parade Marshals
🌟
Drill Team AwardPresented by Apollo Mechanical Contractors
🎉
Specialty AwardPresented by Alaska Airlines

See What Stood Out in 2026

A look at standout award categories. Winner photos and names will be added once confirmed.

Winner photo coming soon
Emerald City First Class Award2026 winner to be added
Winner photo coming soon
Community Spirit Award2026 winner to be added
Winner photo coming soon
Best Band2026 winner to be added
Winner photo coming soon
Drill Team Award2026 winner to be added

2027 Torchlight Parade

Ready to Join the Parade?

Bring your community, creativity and energy to the Seattle Waterfront for the 2027 Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade.

Saturday, July 31, 2027
Applications open February 1, 2027
Applications close June 30, 2027

Application Link Coming Soon

Applications close June 30, 2027. Space is limited and applying does not guarantee acceptance.

Want to be part of Torchlight another way?

Help bring the parade to life behind the scenes.

Volunteer at Torchlight

Questions?

We're happy to help determine whether Torchlight is the right fit for your group.

parade@seafair.org