As authorities continue to investigate the shooting in Seattle that left three people dead and at least four others injured at a food festival on July 26, event organizers across Seattle are preparing for increased scrutiny over public safety measures.
One of the city's largest events, Seafair's 2026 Weekend Festival, takes place this weekend at Genesee Park and along Lake Washington. Other upcoming events in the city include Festál at Seattle Center (various dates throughout the summer and fall), Capitol Hill Block Party (Aug. 7-9), and Bumbershoot (Sept. 5-6).
Seafair President and CEO Emily Cantrell wrote in an email to USA Today and in an online post that the organization is working to make the weekend as safe as possible.
"I would never be
comfortable asking people to come to Seafair if I didn't believe we had made safety our highest priority," Cantrell said. "That's why we've spent months in close coordination with the Seattle Police Department, Seattle Fire Department, emergency management partners, and our private security team. This year, we also introduced a weapons detection system at every entrance as part of our comprehensive security plan."
What will security look like at Seafair's Weekend Festival?
Seafair's Weekend Festival will have three gated entry points for attendees this weekend:
- Main entrance: Genesee Park & Playfield at the corner of 43rd Ave S & S Genesee St.
- North entrance: Lake Washington Blvd S and Lake Park Dr S.
- South entrance: 49th Ave S and Lake Washington Blvd S.
Bags will be searched upon entry to the festival, according to Seafair's website. All Seafair events bar attendees from bringing in any kind of weapon, drugs, drones, fireworks, noisemakers and alcohol, among other items. Pets are also not allowed at Seafair evens (service animals are permitted).
Here's the list of prohibited items for this weekend's event:
- Strollers and small wagons
- Bicycles, skateboards, and other personal transportation items (must be stored at the Event’s Bike Compound)
- Personal umbrellas (cannot be inserted into the ground)
- Lawn chairs
- Sunscreens and canopies (must be removed by 6pm)
- Blankets
- Coolers
- Non-alcoholic beverages (must have the original seal, no glass bottles)
- Cameras
- Tablets and laptops
- Stainless steel or plastic water bottles
"Seattle deserves opportunities to come together. We remain committed to providing a safe, welcoming place for our community to gather," Cantrell said.
Bumbershoot festival security
After Sunday's shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival, Bumbershoot's Instagram account posted about the event.
"Our hearts break for the families and loved ones of the victims, and for our city of Seattle," festival organizers wrote in a social media post. "We are holding everyone affected in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time."
Bumbershoot is one of many big events coming to Seattle Center in the wake of the July 26 shooting. The music festival is ticketed with a clear-bag policy (no bigger than 18"x18"x6"). Bags that are no transparent will be searched upon arrival, according to the festival's website.
The festival's security measures include meal detector screening and on-site police and emergency medical services. "Bumbershoot works in partnership with Seattle Center, the Seattle Police Department, and professional third-party security providers to follow established safety and security practices," according to the festival's website.
Bumbershoot prohibits a number of items on festival grounds, including firearms, knives, drugs, and drones, among other items. Only service animals are allowed.
USA Today reached out to organizers with Festál and Capitol Block Party about any changes to their public safety measures.
Zachary Fletcher is a trending news reporter with USA TODAY Network's Washington state team. Keep up with him on X (@zdfletch), BlueSky (@zfletcher.bsky.social) or reach him at zfletcher@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about Seafair safety measures after Seattle shooting
