Seafair Weekend: Bring On The Noise. -- Bring On The Fun.

It isn't just the window-rattling noise, insanely high speeds and death-defying stunts that will draw thousands of spectators to the shores of Lake Washington this weekend. But hey, those are pretty good reasons for starters, aren't they?

The roar of hydroplane races on the water and the scream of the Blue Angels overhead will provide Seattle's soundtrack for the next few days as the annual Seafair celebration takes center stage.

But Seafair is more than just planes and boats. On the shoreline, turbo-charged fans will soak in the sun (and suds), cheer on their favorite hydros (if they can tell them apart) and sample food-booth fare consisting of everything from barbecue and bratwurst to ice cream and smoothies. This has long been one of the city's biggest annual parties and 1998 is no different. If you plan on joining in the fun, here's what you'll need to know:

The hydros

Gates open to the public at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow and Saturday, with hydroplane heats starting about 9 a.m., and at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, with the first heat set for 11 a.m. The Texaco Cup Final Heat will take place at 4:10 p.m. Sunday.

Ticket information

General admission to the race area is free tomorrow, $12 Saturday and $18 Sunday; free admission for people with active military ID and children under 12 accompanied by a parent. Advance tickets are available at Ticketmaster, with service charges (206-628-0888).

While tickets can cost as much as $120, for the Captain's Club Viewing Pavilion, the best deal is the two-day pass, allowing entrance into the general viewing areas Saturday and Sunday for $25 (or $15 if you purchase them at participating Western Washington Texaco stations); and the Johnson & Johnson free admission offer for Sunday, with proof-of-purchase seals and cash-register receipts for any two of the following products: Children's Tylenol, Extra Strength Tylenol Children's Motrin, Motrin or Pepcid AC.

Pit passes are $20 tomorrow and Saturday or $35 for all three days with general admission included. A guided pit tour costs $5

The Captain's Club Viewing Pavilion costs $120, or $220 for two adults. Tickets for children accompanied by an adult are $45. The package includes access to the viewing pavilion and a pit pass for all three days, a program, T-shirt, souvenir pin and catered buffet on Sunday.

Boaters can tie up on the Texaco Cup logboom, at $215-$350 stern tie for boats 60 feet and under, or $26 a foot broadside tie for boats 60 feet and over (206-728-0123, Ext. 7102).

The Air Show

The US West Air Show, featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, runs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturday and Sunday over Lake Washington. The free show features more than a dozen acts, including jets, helicopters, biplanes and other civilian and military aircraft. And don't be surprised if you see (and hear) the Blue Angels zipping overhead today and tomorrow. They'll be practicing for the big show.

The traffic

I-90 bridge closure: The I-90 floating bridge will be closed to motorist and pedestrian traffic today beginning at 11:30 a.m. and could remain closed as late as 2:30 p.m.; tomorrow through Sunday it will be closed from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.

Boat traffic is restricted from the air-show safety zone, which extends three-fourths of a mile north of the I-90 bridge and south to the northern point of Bailey Peninsula on Lake Washington, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow through Sunday.

The parking

We strongly advise you not to try to park in the neighborhoods surrounding the Seafair hydroplane races, especially on Sunday. Many of the streets along Lake Washington are blocked off, and the parking patrol will be in the area in full force. If you park where you're not supposed to, you'll get a ticket; you might even get towed. If you do find street parking, you'll probably face a long hike to the lake.

Our recommendations: 1. Park at the free designated lot at Boeing Field on Saturday and Sunday (not tomorrow!), just south of the Museum of Flight, and take the free shuttle directly to the hydroplane race site. Shuttles will depart every 10 minutes from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday, and until about 90 minutes after the final heat of the hydroplane races on Sunday.

2. Ride a bike. Put it on your car's bike rack or in the trunk, park as close as allowed (legally), and pedal the rest of the way. If you live on Mercer Island or can find parking there (it's difficult), the bike lane on the I-90 bridge is a fun and easy ride right to the lake. From the Mercer Island side of the bridge to the race area, the ride should take you less than 20 minutes. Approaching the site by bike from the north can be a nice lakeside ride, starting from Leschi or even as far away as the Arboretum.

3. Take Metro. However, the regular routes don't stop very close to the race site. And there are few buses on Sunday. It's easier tomorrow and Saturday. Call Metro Transit at 206-553-3000 for 24-hour rider information.

More information

Call the Seafair Hotline at 206-728-0123, or check the Seafair Web site at: www.seafair.com