Southwest Airlines Torchlight Parade

Click on the image for more photos.

I've lived in Seattle since 2001 and this was the first time I took part in this annual event that is part of Seafair, Seattle's summer festival celebration that lasts from June until August. Unexpectedly my wife and I spent a fun afternoon down on 4th avenue. The parade was a classic "family fun" event, which we still officially aren't if you define a family as having at least one kid. But what we found the most interesting were the people who started lining up 4th avenue as early as 7.30 AM. I should mention that the parade kicked off at 7.30 PM. There was a group of 3 guys who built a one-bedroom apartment right on the sidewalk. Literally! The only thing that was missing was a bathroom. Luckily "Honey Bucket" saved the day. They had a full kitchen with pretty much anything you need, a living room with two sofas and a few armchairs, lamps, family pictures hung on the trees, and a room with a bunk bed for the kids. Just look at the photos and you'll see what I'm talking about. A few blocks north we found a guy eating pizza and watching a movie in his sidewalk livingroom. In short, the most entertaining part of the whole parade was not he parade itself, but rather those who watched it. Can't wait 2009....