Massive crowds expected along Seattle waterfront this weekend

Massive crowds expected along Seattle waterfront this weekend

The Seafair 2025 Torchlight Parade is set to parade along the Seattle Waterfront this Saturday, drawing mixed reactions from local businesses. While some owners anticipate a boost in attention, others are concerned about potential disruptions to regular business due to crowds and road closures.

SEATTLE - Seafair is coming to the Seattle waterfront this weekend with lots of events and festivities — but not every business is excited.

On Friday, Pier 58 is opening, creating about 50,000 square feet of park space along the waterfront for visitors.

On Saturday, Seafair is taking over the strip. The Torchlight Parade is set to draw crowds with its 5k run scheduled for 6:00 p.m. and the historic parade in its new location and time at 7:30 p.m.

What they're saying:

"Twenty-one years ago, in December of 2004, the environmental impact statement on taking the Viaduct down and replacing it with the tunnel and the park was written," said Ivar's President Bob Donegan. "So, 21 years later, to finally be getting big events, it is such a treat."

Donegan tells FOX 13 Seattle his business is stocking up on extra food and even toilet paper for this weekend.

However, not everyone is as ready as Ivar’s.

Local businesses confused by Seafair

Local perspective:

"We’ll definitely have to look at the schedule and see who is going to be here and make a plan for if it is busier because of it or if it’s slower," said Sam Mecham, assistant manager of Seattle Shirt Company.

FOX 13 Seattle spoke to several other businesses along the waterfront who did not want to go on-camera but told us they were unaware of the events this weekend. Some said they were concerned the changes to normal waterfront operations would negatively impact their business.

Donegan tells FOX 13 Seattle this is exactly the kind of attention the area needs.

"People are discovering the waterfront, and we are so happy about it," he said.

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