Postcards from the Past: Golden Potlatch, 1912

“Tilikums” parade in Pioneer Square during the Golden Potlatch of 1912. A precursor to Seafair, it took place from July 15 to July 20 that year, the second year of the festival. (Seattle Times Archive)Before the annual Seafair Festival, there was the Golden Potlatch.

The festival featured airplanes doing stunts along waterfront, “hydroaeroplane” flights on the water, a parade downtown, performances by groups from around the Northwest and fireworks displays throughout the city.

According to the July 16, 1912, article in The Seattle Daily Times, the festival kicked off with the Alaska pageant, where the “Tilikums of Elttaes” paraded while telling a story of Alaska and the importance of the gold…