ABOUT

1971-1972 became known as the reorganization years within the Parade Marshals. Under Greater Seattle, Inc. and its managing director, Arden Aegerter, the Parade Marshals were brought into SEAFAIR as one of the five families, complimenting the Commodores, Boat Club, Clowns and Pirates. Restructuring credit was largely due to the efforts of Conrad Erickson, the Parade Chairman who was asked by Aegerter to establish standard operating procedures, by-laws, hold elections, and define duties much in the same manner as the Commodores. Marshals were acknowledged by SEAFAIR for meritorious service when in 1971, the King Neptune’s Medal was presented for 20 years of service.

During the 1970s, the Parade Marshal’s areas of responsibility and civic duty expanded beyond the parades and has continued to its present state. Among their highlighted involvement both past and present are:

• The first paid admission ticket booths on hydro race day;
• Traffic officials for the 1977 U.S. Bicycle Championships at Seward Park;
• Special people’s Christmas Cruises;
• KIRO Telethons for Children;
• Seattle Cultural Exchange;
• Flag Plaza Seattle Center;
• Tall Ships Welcoming Committee; and
• The SEAFAIR Ambassador Program.

In 1976, the Parade Marshals organized and executed one of the longest parades in Seattle history, the American Legion National Convention Parade. It was 6 1/2 hours long!

You can find SEAFAIR Parade Marshals of today assisting and coordinating numerous community parades, as well as producing the Torchlight Parade during SEAFAIR.

It is impossible to mention all of those who are responsible for making the Parade Marshals what they are today. To those of you who have served us in the past, who serve us now and who will serve in the future, we honor you, we salute you, we thank you.