My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Seattle Center's 60th Anniversary Celebrates What Is New, Now & Next

Seattle Center and its more than 30 resident organizations kick off the six-month celebration of its 60th anniversary date, Thursday, April 21.

By:

Seattle Center's 60th Anniversary Celebrates What Is New, Now & Next Image

Six decades ago the Century 21 Exposition, also known as the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, attracted nearly 10 million attendees during its six-month run and put Seattle on the world's map. This Thursday, Seattle Center, the site of the World's Fair, celebrates 60 years of growth as Seattle's hub for arts and community gatherings, commemorating what is "New, Now & Next," the theme of the celebration.

Seattle Center and its more than 30 resident organizations kick off the six-month celebration of its 60th anniversary date, Thursday, April 21 - beginning at 10:30 a.m. - at the Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall mainstage. The public event, featuring brief remarks from Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams, Pacific Northwest Ballet Executive Director Ellen Walker, will honor the Center's history and provide a look forward to the future of the 74-acre campus.

The celebration will include music by DJ Mike Steve and a spoken word performance by youth poet laureate Zinnia Hansen, as well as a few locals sharing a 60th birthday with the Seattle World's Fair - who will receive a special gift and be on hand for a rendition of "Happy Birthday" by the Seattle Opera with a piano accompanist at 11 a.m., the exact time the gates opened to the world 60 years ago. Birthday cupcakes, from Trophy Cupcakes will be served to those attending the festivities - and as a throwback to the "World's Largest Birthday Cake" unveiled at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, a giant cutout of the cake will be available for photos.

TIME/DATE: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m., Thursday, April 21

LOCATION: Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall

CONTACTS: Meghan McLaughlin, meghan.mclaughlin-c@seattle.gov // 206.293.4110

Randy Hurlow, randy@whyforgood.com // 206.778.5523

A free green-screen photo booth featuring keepsake photos via digital download will be available 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 21 in The Armory as well, and children are invited to color the "World's Largest Birthday Cake" from the 1962 World's Fair, in a contest to win a pack of children's prizes. The contest runs April 21-May 22, 2022. The coloring sheet and contest rules are available at the Seattle Center customer service desk or via download at www.seattlecenter.com/connect/contests.

For more information about Seattle Center's history and 60th anniversary events and contests, visit www.seattlecenter.com/connect/60th-anniversary.

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Featured Performer in a Musical - Top 3
1. Ali Louis Bourzgui - The Lost Boys, A New Musical
24.5% of votes
2. Ben Levi Ross - Ragtime
6.8% of votes
3. Bryce Pinkham - Chess
5.4% of votes

Don't Miss a Seattle News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music & Dance Sensation in Seattle A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music & Dance Sensation
The Moore (5/17-5/17)
Where the Summit Meets the Stars in Seattle Where the Summit Meets the Stars
State Theater (5/01-5/17) PHOTOS VIDEOS
The Play That Goes Wrong in Seattle The Play That Goes Wrong
Seattle Rep Theater (6/11-6/28)
2025/26 Season Announcement in Seattle 2025/26 Season Announcement
The 5th Avenue Theatre (9/13-5/17)
A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music and Dance Sensation in Seattle A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music and Dance Sensation
Numerica Performing Arts Center (5/18-5/18)
MrBallen: Lights out Live in Seattle MrBallen: Lights out Live
Paramount Theatre (6/19-6/19)
Northwest Sinfonietta : Butterfly Fantasy, May 16-17 in Seattle Northwest Sinfonietta : Butterfly Fantasy, May 16-17
Asia Pacific Cultural Center (5/16-5/16)
Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles in Seattle Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Wade James Theatre (5/15-6/07)
Silent Movie Mondays: The General in Seattle Silent Movie Mondays: The General
The Paramount Theatre (7/27-7/27)
Come From Away in Seattle Come From Away
Village Theatre (1/02-1/24)