(Photo by Christopher Boffoli, after Blue Angels’ arrival Tuesday)
The city’s weekend traffic alert expands to four days this week – today through Sunday – since the I-90 bridge closures for Seafair Blue Angels practices and shows are about to begin. (Today’s practices – with two I-90 closures – are not the official show maneuvers, but rather the “get acclimated to the area” flights.) Also in the alert – though no roads will be closed or blocked – is an Alki event, the Festival of India on Saturday and Sunday. Read on for SDOT’s full alert list:

Starting already Thursday, August 5, motorists will be encountering delays associated with the coming weekend Seafair events including the annual hydroplane races on Lake Washington and the Blue Angels making their spectacular daredevil maneuvers over the lake. Motorists will want to make note that the practice and air show fly-overs require closures of the I-90/Lake Washington Floating Bridge for periods of time everyday for the next four days. In addition, there are Seafair community parades and/or celebrations over the weekend in Magnolia, Lake City, and at Alki Beach and Judkins Park.

The Seattle Department of Transportation warns motorists to anticipate traffic congestion accompanying the events and to plan accordingly. Drivers are encouraged to consider taking alternate modes of transportation – Metro Transit, the Sounder commuter train, Link light rail, car pool, bicycle or walk, if feasible. Please see the following schedule of events for areas where traffic will be impacted.

Thursday, August 5

Boeing Air Show at Seafair – Practice
Blue Angels Fly-over Lake Washington
I-90 Floating Bridge First Closure 9:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.
I-90 Floating Bridge Second Closure 1:15 -2:30 p.m.

Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers: 7:10 – 10:30 p.m.
Safeco Field
22,000 expected
Expect traffic to be heavy in the SODO area surrounding the stadium before and after the game.

Friday, August 6
Umoja Fest African -American Heritage Festival: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Judkins Park
4,900
No street closures, however, expect heavy traffic on the streets adjacent to park.

Magnolia Summer Festival: 12 – 10 p.m.
Magnolia Playfield
4,200 expected
Closed from 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 5 – 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, August 7: W Smith Street from 32nd to 34th Avenue West, and 33rd Avenue West from Wheeler to Smith Street.

Seafair Hydroplane Races and Air Show:
On and above Lake Washington; hydroplane qualifying and air show practice;
Closed Friday, 6 a.m. August 6 – 9 a.m. Monday, August 9: Lake Washington Boulevard
S between Mount Baker Beach and 49th Avenue S.
Seafair Boeing Air Show – Practice:
Closed 12:45 – 2:40 p.m.: I-90 Floating Bridge

Seattle Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals: 7:10 – 10 p.m.
Safeco Field
24,000 attending
Expect traffic to be heavy in the SODO area surrounding the stadium before and after the game.

Saturday, August 7

Lake City Pioneer Days Festival: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
NE 125th Street from 26th Avenue NE and Lake City Way NE
6,150 expected
Closed from 5 a.m. – 10 p.m.: NE 125th Street between 26th Avenue NE and Lake City Way NE

Umoja Fest African -American Heritage Festival: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Judkins Park
4,900
No street closures, however, expect heavy traffic on streets adjacent to park.

Magnolia Kids and Seafair Parade: Kids parade at 10:30 a.m.; main parade at 11 a.m.
3,740 expected
Beginning at 9 a.m.: Staging is on 34th Avenue W between W Raye Street and W Barrett Street.
Parade route: Starts at 34th Avenue West and W Raye Street; moves south on 34th to W McGraw Street; east on McGraw to 32nd Avenue W; then north on 32nd to W Raye Street.

Umoja Fest African Heritage Festival Parade: 12 noon
4,650 expected
10:30 a.m.: Parade staging on 23rd Avenue E. between E Union Street and E Madison
Street.
Parade route: Starts at 23rd Avenue and Union Street; heads south on 23rd Avenue to S Norman Street; then west on Norman Street.

Festival of India: 12:00 noon – 7:00 pm.
Alki Beach Park
970 attending
No street closures, but expect heavier traffic adjacent to park;.

Magnolia Summer Festival: 12 – 10 p.m.
Magnolia Playfield
4,200 expected
Closed from 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 5 – 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, August 7: W
Smith Street from 32nd to 34th Avenue West, and 33rd Avenue W from W Wheeler to W Smith Street.

Lake City Pioneer Days Grand Parade: Kids parade at 6 p.m.; Grand Parade at 7: p.m.
2,226 expected
4 p.m.: Parade staging at on Lake City Way NE between NE 137th and NE 135th
streets, and on side streets to the west.
Parade route: starts at Lake City Way NE and NE 135th Street; heads south on Lake City Way to NE 123rd Street; then turns east on 123rd to 32nd Avenue NE.

Albert Lee Cup at Seafair:
Hydroplane Races on Lake Washington
Closed Friday, 6 a.m. August 6 – 9 a.m. Monday, August 9: Lake Washington Boulevard
S between Mount Baker Beach and 49th Avenue S
Boeing Air Show at Seafair:
Over Lake Washington
Closed 12:45 – 2:40 p.m.: I-90 Floating Bridge

Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals: 7:10 -10:30 p.m.
Safeco Field
28,000 expected
Expect traffic to be heavy in the SODO area surrounding the stadium before and after the game.

Sunday, August 8

Non Event – Lakeview Overpass Closure 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
During closure for filming on the overpass, between Eastlake Avenue E and Belmont
Avenue E, a signed detour will be in place for motorists traveling east and west
bound. Seattle Police will direct traffic.
Pedestrian access will be maintained, but with possible occasional delays of up to three minutes.

Umoja Fest African -American Heritage Festival: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Judkins Park
4,900
No street closures, however, expect heavy traffic on streets adjacent to park.

Festival of India: 12 noon – 7:00 p.m.
Alki Beach Park;
970 expected
No street closures, but expect heavier traffic on streets adjacent to park.

Albert Lee Cup at Seafair:
Hydroplane Races on Lake Washington
Closed Friday, 6 a.m. August 6 – 9 a.m. Monday, August 9: Lake Washington
Boulevard S between Mount Baker Beach and 49th Avenue S.
Boeing Air Show at Seafair:
Blue Angels Over Lake Washington
I-90 Floating Bridge closed 12:45 – 2:40 p.m.

Seattle Mariners vs Kansas City Royals: 1:10 – 4 p.m.
Safeco Field
28,000 expected
Expect traffic to be heavy in the SODO area surrounding the stadium before and after the game.

Seattle Sounders vs Houston Dynamo 8 – 9:30 p.m.
Qwest Field
34,000 expected
Expect traffic to be heavy in the SODO area surrounding the stadium before and after the match.