A Brief History of Seafair and the Seattle Commodores

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The Foundation

The foundation for Seafair, Seattle’s multi-week summer festival, was laid during the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition in 1909. The excitement of that Exposition carried on and in 1910, the Seattle Post Intelligencer touted the idea of “…a series of water events which would furnish...one of the most attractive and popular midsummer celebrations In the country".

The city decided to hold a celebration to include the thousands of American Indians who came to the area annually to pick hops, adding to a Potlatch of national renown. The Chinook word, “Potlatch”, means “feast of extreme extravagance on part of the host".

The first Golden Potlatch, in 1911, included a small United States Navy Fleet, a British sloop of war, and even a hydroplane exhibition run by the “Triad" owned by Glenn Curtiss of airplane fame. A barge was burned in Elliott Bay, an auto climbed up Queen Anne Hill, and the grand finale, a night Masked Mardi Gras-style parade.

In 1912 Jean Romano's wingless hydroplane, which looked like a giant spider, thrilled spectators with a 30 M.P.H. exhibition run off Harbor Island. In 1913 the Golden Potlatch staged three hydroplane races off Madrona Park.  After a conflict between two essential support organizations, the US Navy and the International Workers of the World (IWW), the Potlatch ceased operation.  It was reborn in 1934 but faded in the Great Depression period of 1936 and 1937. 

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A Lasting Tradition

Seattle deserved a good celebration, so in 1947 mayor William F. Devin, and the Washingtonians, Inc, a group formed to advance tourism and business, met with business, labor and civic leaders to promote a great fair or festival. In 1948, after the Washington Federation of Garden Clubs staged a campaign to have Seattle officially named the “City of Flowers”, which was approved by the City Council (did you know the official flower of Seattle is the “Dahlia"?).  Seattle staged a City of Flowers festival the first week in May 1949, which drew over 80,000 people. Its success confirmed   community leaders’ interest in a larger celebration.

On April 10, 1950, two organizations, the Seattle Salts, a group of business leaders, and Greater Seattle, Inc., backed by the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, eventually merged their fund-raising activities to form Seafair. Combining ideas for a Water Festival and a Centennial Celebration idea by Greater Seattle, Inc., Seafair was born. Its name was suggested by the eleven-year-old son of one of the founders. 

Seafair

Memberships in the new organization, Seafair, were open to people from all walks of life, to raise funds, they were sold for $10.00. Members, known as Greater Seattle Salts, to promote the maritime flavor of the festival, received a special copper bronze medal. A water show, Aqua Follies, took place at an outdoor water theatre on the shores of Green Lake, which opened the first week in August 1950. The first Seafair had been a success, but without a grand finale. Then came the Gold Cup Unlimited Hydroplane races! The popular Lake Washington event is still Seafair's grand finale.

The Seattle Commodores

In 1955, funds were desperately needed for many of the events, including the city fireworks display. John Jewett, the first Seattle Seafair Commandant, organized the Commodores for that and other events by enlisting companies to provide executives as members. 
 

Ambassadors of Seafair, the Commodores have added Honorary Commodores from the entertainment field, such as Bing Crosby, pictured above, mayors, astronauts, and other outstanding citizens who contribute to the quality of the Puget Sound area.

The Commodores, in our white dinner jackets, continue to present a picture of civic pride, community spirit and hospitality.