SEAFAIR TORCHLIGHT PARADE

Saturday, July 25, 2009

SEATTLE

by Carol Kapua:

Hi to all,
 
This last weekend was Seafair Torchlight Parade. It was a long weekend but worth while for all. It was on the warm side but not like this week. There were a lot of stories that can be told of what went on but too much for me to include in this. The floats were late in moving, the van had a dead battery and we had a blessing from above just before the parade started. More lights were added just before the parade. The royalty were just beautiful and did a great job all day. Teresa and DC took them on a tour of Seattle and to visit the group of Special Needs People. That is great. The menu this year was pizza. Before the parade the girls were taken by  Teresa to have their hair done.

Our crew for the weekend was Tom, DC, Kurt, Tamara, Jodi, Danielle, Josh (his first and what a great job - welcome to your festival family), Linda Haglund, Teresa, Hunter and myself. If you saw the parade you may have recognized me as the driver. We won a big award "The Seafair Marshal's Award". Thanks to all who helped getting it ready and were there to as the crew. Darick (Duncan - Past President), Thank you for coming and representing us too.

We received extra help from Greg and Walter. Thank you guys.

At dispersal Tamara, Teresa, Hunter, Shelby, Azzlinn and Rebecca set up the area for dinner for us. When they were done they all helped pack up the float so that we could eat and go home. You all were great. A Big Mahalo to you all.

We received a very Special Gift this weekend from all of our NWFH family. It was for 10 certificates - each for a new rose to replace any we lost to the fire or if we should have to move any to a new location. What a very special gesture on their behalf. Festival Families at work again. It would be nice if you see any of our festival families from NWFH to say "Thank You" to them.
 
Thank you to the Doty Family for their thoughtfulness and concerns about the fire.

This weekend is Lake City. It is Saturday. I do not have any info at this time for the parade. The parade starts at 7pm. We need to be there no later than 5pm before they close  streets off. I would at this time give a leave time of 3-4pm. This will be a casual dress parade. Black shorts or pants, red polo and black shoes. Signed up for this parade there is Jodi, Kerri, Janet and Chuck. Some of you have still not done a parade and this would be a good one because it is a short one and very close to home. Your help is needed for this one because our non members volunteers are able to make it to this one. Debbie is going to bring Sara down and DC will protect us all.

Have been in touch with the insurance adjuster for us and the city. Things are now looking much better with the city. Will know more after this week. We need to get a work party together to get the rest of our stuff out of the caboose so work can begin.  In the process is the storage for the truck and trailer at public works along with the bleachers.

This is all I have for now. Have a great week and try to stay cool.

by Tom Grady:

I might add that we were offered a photo opportunity by Seafair in conjunction with KING/KONG TV on the Friday prior to the parade. We were used extensively as the backdrop for the morning weatherman Rich Marriott from 5am until 7am on KING TV (Channel 5) and from 7am to 9am on KONG TV (Channel 6). Then, we has a very small interview with consumer reporter Tim Robinson along with the Horizon Airlines folks, Charles from Studio Concepts and Robert from the Seafair Marshals.

As for Carol driving the float......think about this.....how many women have you seen driving a float this year? last year? It is a rarity....and if you weren't there...you missed a treat!