People were out in full force on land and lake during the 2022 Seafair Festival weekend.
The sky was also filled with the rip-roaring U.S. Navy Blue Angels and other high-flying marvels, which could clearly be seen from Mercer Island hot spots like Groveland Beach Park and Aubrey Davis Park.
At a jam-packed Groveland on Sunday, boaters found their coveted places on Lake Washington and people planted their chairs and tents on the shore and stood on the pier to witness the jets and get a glimpse of the rooster-tailed hydros in the distance.
Mercer Island’s Martina Kozar and her family enjoyed the Blue Angels’ performance so much that they returned for a second day of air action. On Saturday, it was Calkins Landing and Sunday came round two at Groveland.
“We love Blue Angels. My husband’s very into aviation and so the kids just love seeing the Blue Angels overhead. The dog’s not a fan at home,” said Kozar, adding that it was special to experience the return of in-person Seafair events after a two-year cancellation due to the pandemic.
It’s a vital community event for people to get out and about, she said, and noted that they saw some of her kids’ schoolmates at Calkins. As a Seafair bonus, Kozar’s brother-in-law and sister-in-law flew out from Boston to engage in the festivities.
Young Marten Kozar, who was proudly sporting a Blue Angels T-shirt, said he likes the way the Angels bring it loud and fast. It’s an exciting time and he nodded his head in approval when asked if he might want to pilot a Blue Angels jet someday.
As the Blue Angels zoomed in from seemingly just above the treetops, a loud boom pummeled the air just as Matthew Mar, 6, of Bellevue said that he didn’t mind the noise the jets generated. The youngster had one of the best seats on the pier, perched upon the shoulders of his grandpa and Bellevue resident Kevin Gregerson, who was just as thrilled to watch the impressive air display.
Jessica and Christian Morrison and their two youngsters cruised over to Groveland from Redmond to set up their spot on the beach and await the Angels. It’s a prime location to watch the jets in their lofty environs, Christian said.
The Morrisons returned to Groveland after witnessing the Angels from that locale at the last Seafair in 2019.
“They flew right over us and it was just awesome, so that’s why we’re back here, hoping for another great view. I’m sure once they (the children) hear the airplanes, they’re going to be really excited,” Jessica said.
Like Kozar, it was day two of soaking up the Angels’ show for Jessica and Christian, who saw the aerial delight with friends on Saturday on a boat tied up to the boom on Lake Washington.
Seafair is a key event for Washington residents, said Christian, adding, “I hope they never get rid of it, ever again.”
The Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) Marine Patrol stayed busy all weekend keeping an eye on the plethora of boaters.
The officers on the lake paired up with Washington State Patrol to process 18 boating under the influence arrests and 400 vessel contacts as of 4 p.m. Sunday. MIPD issued several boating-related infractions, such as missing boater education cards and an insufficient number of life preservers on board. “Boaters were predominantly safe and in compliance,” MIPD noted.
Matthew Mar, 6, of Bellevue watches the Blue Angels on Sunday atop the shoulders of his grandpa, Kevin Gregerson of Bellevue, on the Groveland Beach Park pier on Mercer Island. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo
Blue Angels air action shot from the Groveland Beach Park pier and from the beach. Photos by Andy Nystrom/ staff, and courtesy of the city of Mercer Island
