Torchlight Parade Participant Application

The Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade Returns in 2026

Following a successful debut on the Seattle Waterfront, the Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade returns for its second year along this scenic route.

Beginning at 7:30 PM, the parade fills the waterfront with dazzling floats, marching bands, cultural performances, and Seafair favorites. Participants are invited to Light Up the Night, adding lights and bold displays that bring the parade to life after dark.

Apply Now for 2026

Submission Deadline

  • Applications Due by May 31 

entry fees

Non-Profits

$100 – Small Nonprofit
501(C)(3) organizations with yearly operating budgets of under $1M
990’s will be used to verify the fee level

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$750 – Large Nonprofit
501(C)(3) agencies with yearly operating budgets of over $1M

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Commercial Businesses

$1,500 – Small Business (NEW)
Commercial business with gross revenue up to $5M

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$3,000 – Midsize Business (NEW)
Commercial business with gross revenue over $5M

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$7,000 – Large Corporations/Commercial Entries
Commercial business with gross revenue over $25M

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Official Parade Rules

All of the Torchlight Parade Rules must be followed. The 2026 Torchlight Parade Rules can be found below.

Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade – Rules & Regulations

  1. Following Direction: ALL ENTRIES MUST FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS OF THE SEAFAIR PARADE MARSHALS. The Alaska Airlines Torchlight Parade Committee reserves the right to bar or remove from the Parade any entry that refuses to follow all instructions from the Parade Marshals or Seattle Police.
  2. Committee Approval: Entries are by invitation only and must be approved by the Torchlight Parade Selection Committee. Seafair invites dignitaries and celebrities only; no requests may be made for these positions. No participants may invite other units to join their unit unless pre-approved by Seafair. Receipt of application and processing of entry fee by Seafair DOES NOT guarantee acceptance into the parade.
  3. Age: Parade participants MUST be twelve (12) years of age or older unless pre-approved and confirmed in writing prior to the parade by Seafair. Participants under the age of twelve (12) MUST be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times. Groups approved by Seafair must submit a list of all participants’ (name and age) twelve (12) or under, before check-in on parade day. Participants in question may also be asked for valid identification upon check-in. No infants will be permitted on the parade route.
  4. Vehicles: No additional vehicles or support vehicles (including cars, golf carts, scooters, marchers, strollers, wagons, etc.) will be allowed to accompany units unless deemed essential to the quality of the unit by the Torchlight Parade Selection Committee. Any such vehicle in the parade must be authorized by Seafair in advance or is subject to removal on parade day.
  5. Insurance: Evidence of insurance for bodily injury and property damage liability with a combined limit of one million dollars is required of all entries. Insurance certificates must list and name Seafair, Seafair Parade Marshals, Alaska Airlines and City of Seattle as additional insured. Seafair must receive certificates of Insurance prior to parade day. For any other insurance questions please contact the Seafair office.
  6. Promotional Materials: No branded or promotional materials may be handed out or thrown by parade participants on the parade route (gifts, candy, merchandise, literature, bubbles, confetti or other similar materials). Parade Marshals and Seattle Police will strictly enforce this Seattle City Ordinance.
  7. Dangerous Materials: Squirt guns, water blasters or soakers, silly string or other items that may be potentially dangerous to spectators or participants are strictly forbidden.
  8. Substances: Consumption or possession of alcoholic beverage or illegal substances before or during the parade is forbidden for any participant.
  9. Politics: The Seafair Torchlight Parade is not a forum for political points of view nor will entries for specific causes be accepted. Use of partisan political signs or other political material on an entry or improper use of the American Flag is prohibited.
  10. Cancellations: Entries which fail to appear at the parade without prior notification to Seafair, or entries that do not comply with these rules and regulations, will jeopardize future invitations to participate in the Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade.
  11. Commercial Signage: Only entries that have paid a Commercial Entry fee may carry or display commercial signage. Parade officials will remove any signage that violates restrictions. Vehicles may not advertise or post signage of any kind to their units (logos and signage permanently painted into the finish of the unit is permitted and must be approved in advance by Seafair). Vehicles may not advertise car dealerships.
  12. Unit Size: Seafair reserves the right to reduce and/or limit the size of any overall unit.
  13. Waivers: Each individual participant in the parade will be required to sign and submit a Hold Harmless Waiver prior to the parade.
  14. Infractions: No one may participate in the Torchlight Parade in any manner determined to be unsafe. All infractions not remedied will be immediately removed from the parade and cited by Seafair and the Seafair Parade Marshals.
  15. Weapons: No handguns or facsimiles of handguns except for Police and Active Military units are permitted in the parade.
  16. Escorts: Escorts/Unit supporters will be limited to a number deemed essential by the Parade Selection Committee and enforced on-site by the Parade Marshals. Escorts must be in a uniform or costume that compliments the parade unit.
  17. Seafair has its own King, Queen and Royal Court. No outside pageants are accepted to participate in the parade unless otherwise requested by the Parade Committee.
  1. Floats must be self-propelled and entirely decorated. No part of the pulling vehicle on which the float is built may be visible to the judges or spectators. Flatbed trucks do not qualify as floats.
  2. All drivers of floats must be 18 years of age and hold a valid driver’s license. Drivers (or a float representative) must remain with their floats from arrival to assembly to parade dispersal.
  3. Floats MUST provide float driver name and mobile phone/contact number for day of event, and float measurements on the application.
  4. Floats must have tow hitches front and rear, easily accessible and sufficient to tow the float.
  5. Basic Float Dimensions: 16’ wide; maximum 13’6” tall; 75’ long. minimum ground clearance: 10”.
  6. Floats must comply with all safety requirements and will be inspected by the Seafair Parade Marshals.

Any float not meeting safety requirements will not be judged or allowed in the parade.

Drill Teams, Bands, Cultural Organizations, Dance, Drumlines, Other Walking Groups

  1. Marching Units/Walking Groups, with the exception of Marching Bands, must be limited to 50 people or less.
  2. Seafair is not responsible for travel, food or lodging expenses; or for loss or damage to personal items. 3. All marching units must be in FULL uniform or costume. No out-of-uniform marchers will be allowed.
  3. No participants under 12 will be allowed to march in the parade without written permission from Seafair.
  4. All marching units MUST maintain a forward motion. Routines, which require stopping or reverse motion, are not permitted. Failure to comply will jeopardize future invitations to the parade.
  5. If for any reason a gap of 50 feet or more is created, marching units must increase their pace or not perform until the gap is closed. Parade pace is approximately 2.5 mph
  1. Equestrian Parade units comprised of riders under 17 years of age must be accompanied by riders who are 18 years or older.
  2. Any rider showing inability to control his/her animal will be deemed unsafe at the discretion of the Parade Marshals and will be removed from the parade line-up.
  3. Each equestrian entry must provide its own clean-up unit upon arrival and at the assembly area AND is responsible for cleaning its respective area in the assembly area, on route and at dispersal areas. Any entry without a clean-up unit will not be allowed on the parade route. One clean-up unit per ten (10) horses is required.
  1. A limited number of Specialty Entries will be selected by the Torchlight Parade Committee due to space considerations.
  2. No more than ten (10) persons total, including unit tow crew, drivers and spotters, may ride on or accompany a specialty unit in the parade. No exceptions and no walkers.
  3. Use of lights or illumination is strongly encouraged.
  4. Acceptance will be based on professionalism, uniqueness, creativity and suitability to the Parade.
  5. Hydroplane entries may not attach any additional banners or signage of any kind to their parade entry. (sponsor logos and signage permanently painted into the finish of the unit is permitted)

What We’re Looking For

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE

This is the most critical component in the Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade selection process. Our goal is to delight spectators along the entire route, with highlighted performances at the live telecast area.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

The Torchlight Parade is proud to welcome units from the Pacific Northwest States, Canada, in addition to performers from around the nation. Seafair represents nearly thirty distinct Seattle area neighborhoods, and we embrace our community units and their displays of the region’s cultural and ethnic diversity. We encourage to include some aspect of history or tradition in your parade entry.

CREATIVE AND PROFESSIONALLY PRESENTED

All entries should be creative and professionally presented, designed and built, organized and choreographed in a quality and professional manner.

  • Rules for all Parade Participants
  • Additional Rules for floats
  • Additional Rules For Marching And Walking Parade Participants
  • Additional Rules For Equestrian Parade Participants
  • Additional Rules For Specialty Parade Participants

The Fine Print
Applications and entry fee must be submitted no later than May 31, 2026 and must be completed in full to be considered. Application is not a guarantee of acceptance. Once accepted, Seafair must approve any change to the original application. Failure to secure prior approval will result in the removal of the variance or the entire unit from the parade. Parade space is limited. Entries meeting all criteria set by the Parade Selection Committee, and received by the application deadline, will be given first consideration. Seafair is not responsible for any travel, food, lodging, parking expenses, or for loss or damage to personal items.

Insurance
Evidence of insurance for bodily injury and property damage liability with combined limit of one million dollars is required of all entries. Insurance certificates must have Seafair, Seafair Foundation, Seafair Parade Marshals, Alaska Airlines and City of Seattle listed as additional insured. If you do not have insurance, Seafair’s insurance carrier can provide the required coverage for the Torchlight Parade at a reasonable rate. Please direct all insurance questions to the Seafair office parade@seafair.org.

Selection & Application Criteria

Selection Committee Review The Torchlight Parade Selection Committee will review all entries and make final selections for the line up. If the Committee determines that an entry detracts from the basic mission of the parade, the committee reserves the right to reject or cancel any entry at any time.

Parade Unit Description The Torchlight Parade Selection Committee will review the parade description and links to photos and/or videos you provide us. Please share with us the details to provide the Torchlight Parade Selection Committee with all of the information required.

Apply Now for 2026

Questions? Contact us.

Reach out us at parade@seafair.org or fill out the contact form.