Boeing’s Enduring Partnership with SeaFair
Soaring Through 75 Years: Boeing’s Enduring Partnership with Seafair
Above: The U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform over Seattle during Seafair 2024 (Photo credit: Dave Sizer)
By Lance Ball
Lance Ball is the Director of Manufacturing and Safety for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. He’s also a member of the Seafair board.
Each summer in Seattle, the Seafair tradition takes flight. For me, and countless others, Seafair is a summer highlight. I remember growing up, my friends and I would pack a cooler with cold drinks and sandwiches, hop on a city bus, and head toward Seafair. The roar of the hydroplanes and the mind-boggling maneuvers of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels would leave us with our jaws dropped. The sight of those jets, seemingly fused together as they streaked across the sky, is etched in my memory. That experience helped ignite my passion for aviation, leading me on a path to Boeing.
Boeing’s unwavering support for Seafair dates back to the festival’s inception in 1950. Many people may not realize that Boeing’s connection to Seafair is not only through the Boeing Seafair Airshow but also the iconic hydroplane races. It was 1950 when Boeing supervisor Ted Jones designed a hydroplane that proved faster than the others, winning the Gold Cup in Detroit. His victory also won him the right to choose the location of the following year’s races. He brought the hydroplane races to Seattle, and they’ve been intertwined with Seafair ever since.
Each year, Boeing also proudly sponsors the Boeing Maritime Celebration, a tribute to the people who devote their careers to serving our country. This honors their dedication, reminding us of the importance of their service. Additionally, the Seafair Torchlight Parade is an annual tradition that brings the community together. In support of this event, local Boeing employees volunteer at our “Boeing Military Hospitality Room,” which provides a place for military parade participants to enjoy lunch, rest and relax before embarking on the parade route. That includes our Boeing Veterans Engagement Team; you might have seen them out this year guiding that enormous Blue Angel balloon in the parade.
| Members of the Boeing Veterans Engagement team walk the Blue Angels’ balloon through downtown Seattle during this year’s Seafair Torchlight Parade. (Boeing photo) |
The pinnacle of the festival comes during Seafair Weekend and the Boeing Seafair Airshow, a breathtaking display featuring a variety of aircraft and demonstration teams. This year, we had the privilege of showcasing one of our newest airplanes, the Boeing 777-9. Proudly built in Everett, with test operations based in Seattle and key components fabricated in Auburn and Frederickson, the 777-9 will be the world’s largest and most fuel-efficient twin-engine airplane.
Boeing 777-9 during this year’s Boeing Seafair Airshow. (Boeing photo)
Of course, Seafair would not be complete without the awe-inspiring performances of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, who make Seafair an annual part of their schedule. The historic flight demonstration squadron captivates audiences with their precision and skill as they zip through the sky in their Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform over Seattle during Seafair 2024. (Boeing photo)
| The 1972 Blue Angels pose as they prepare for their Seafair flyover. (Photo courtesy of Seafair) |
Boeing’s commitment to this region and its communities remains steadfast, and our partnership with Seafair is a testament to that. As we look back on the diamond anniversary of Seafair, we reflect on the deep connection we have with this festival and the people of Washington. Our community connections are of the utmost importance to us, and Seafair is a cherished tradition that brings us all together.
Now with Seafair 75 in the books, we eagerly anticipate Seafair 76. Together, we will continue to create unforgettable moments, inspire future generations, and strengthen the bonds that unite us.
