seattle yacht club opening day

• KIRO Opinion
• KTTH Opinion
• KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
• Seattle Sports
• 770 KTTH AM
• MyNorthwest News
• MyNorthwest Weather
• MyNorthwest Traffic

MyNorthwest History

• MyNorthwest Politics
• MyNorthwest Lifestyle
• National News
• Photo Galleries
• Sponsored Stories
• Gee and Ursula
• Jack and Spike
• John and Shari
• KIRO Nights
• Jason Rantz
• Bryan Suits
• Michael Medved
• MyNorthwest Blog
• Brock and Salk
• Bump and Stacy
• Wyman and Bob
• Search the Site
• Earthquake Tracker
• School Closings
• Advertise With Us
• Contest Rules
• Newsletters
• Contests and Events
• Community Outreach
• X (Twitter)
• KIRO on YouTube
• KTTH on YouTube

MYNORTHWEST HISTORY

Opening Day of Boating Season is one of the Seattle area’s oldest traditions

Apr 27, 2022, 9:06 AM | Updated: 10:42 am

The Seattle Yacht Club's "mainstation" on Portage Bay was built in 1920. (Feliks Banel/KIRO Newsradio)

(Feliks Banel/KIRO Newsradio)

BY FELIKS BANEL

Local historian

Great cities are home to events that carry on traditions that resonate far beyond their official boundaries. Think strawberries and cream at Wimbledon, or mint juleps at the Kentucky Derby.

There may not be a sugary dessert or cocktail of choice, but the Seattle Yacht Club’s  Opening Day of Boating Season – with its members’ dress code of blue jacket, white shirt, tie, white pants or skirt and white shoes – may be the closest the Pacific Northwest comes to having an annual tradition along the same lines as what happens each year at the All England Club or Churchill Downs.

After being canceled by COVID in 2020 and held virtually in 2021, the waterborne party in Montlake is back, with festivities planned for most of the day on Saturday, May 7.

Boating is part of living in the Northwest and has been since the dawn of time. In Seattle, Opening Day has been a big deal for more than a century. The event features a boat parade, and the University of Washington crew hosts races  against other teams from around the world, and the celebration is centered around Portage Bay and the Montlake Cut. Watching the parade and races is free, and it’s all organized by the Seattle Yacht Club.

The club was founded in 1892 – though the concept of recreational boating and things like boat races in Elliott Bay date to the 1870s. In a city that sometimes struggles to sustain traditions, SYC is among the oldest of old-school Seattle institutions and is very steeped in the ceremonial – from the dress code, to the Navy-like ranks of the ‘Commodores’ and ‘Admirals’ and other club leadership, to the flags and other pomp and circumstance of Opening Day.

With its lighthouse-like tower, the club’s headquarters are visible on the east shore of Portage Bay and easily spotted from the Portage Bay Viaduct of SR-520. It’s a stately old building with docks and moorage for hundreds of boats. The complex is officially known as the “mainstation” because it’s part of a network of moorage spots from Puget Sound to the north of Vancouver Island called “outstations” – where SYC members can meet up with other members, tie up their boats and take care of basic maintenance.

Admiral Pete Rosvall and Michele Shaw are members of the Seattle Yacht Club who earlier this week led a tour of the Portage Bay facility and shared details about this year’s festivities. Admiral Rosvall is part of what they call “The Trio” – which also includes an Admiralette and a Vice Admiral. The titles are honorary and the appointments are year-long for this three-person volunteer team whose job is to lead all the planning and run the show on Opening Day.

The events stretch out for nearly a week, and it’s an all-hands-on-deck operation. This isn’t surprising, since Seattle’s event, says Pete Rosvall, is considered one of the biggest celebrations of boating anywhere in the United States.

But, Rosvall and Shaw say, the beginnings were somewhat inauspicious.

“The notion would go back to about 1895 and the Fourth of July,” Rosvall said. “It didn’t actually happen, but there was a notion.”

In those years, Fourth of July was one of the only civic holidays celebrated widely and with great regularity each year in the United States, so it made sense in Seattle to add an element of recreational boating to the mix of parades and picnics and fireworks.

In 1895, Rosvall and Clark told KIRO Newsradio, the Seattle Yacht Club was just three-years old. They planned to contribute to the Independence Day celebrations by staging a boat parade and a “sham” – or simulated naval battle between yachts armed with fireworks – in Elliott Bay.

“But it got rained out,” Rosvall said.

The sham “was really in honor of history, but this was just Roman candles that were on either side of this area for the parade,” Michele Shaw said. And, along with the rain – which, apparently was a Fourth of July thing in Seattle even as long ago as the second Grover Cleveland administration, “they had a wind that came up that blew out all the Roman candles,” Shaw said – sham over.

Shaw knows her Seattle Yacht Club history. She’s been a member since 1962, and she helped write the centennial book that was published in 1992.

Shaw says that the late 19th century and early 20th century were busy and growing years for the club – it was a time when the very idea of recreational boating was emerging in an area with a lot of water and not much in the way of roads. In the early decades of non-Indigenous settlement, maritime travel was something rarely done for “fun.” It had been a necessity for moving people and goods from one place to another, so recreational boating was truly a novel concept, and in the late 19th century was mostly for the wealthy.

Widespread recreational boating would come later, and would really take off after World War II, and, a few years after that, would get a further boost with the Gold Cup hydroplane races coming to Seattle. Early boat races and Gold Cup winner Slo-Mo-Shun IV were, in fact, sponsored by the Seattle Yacht Club, though Seafair was, and still, is a separate event.

But long before all that, the really big year for SYC was 1920. That was when they relocated from West Seattle and Elliott Bay and built the facility which still stands on Portage Bay. The timing made sense because the Ballard locks and Montlake Cut had recently been completed, connecting Puget Sound to Lake Washington . When that first big Opening Day was held in 1920, the First World War had recently ended, and the Spanish Flu pandemic had subsided. Seattle boaters were ready to celebrate.

Participation grew steadily in the 1920s, and Opening Day was held each year throughout the Great Depression and even during World War II, though festivities and participation during the war years were curtailed somewhat by the absence of so many boaters who were busy overseas. Following victory in Europe and Asia, the first post-war Opening Day in 1946 is believed to have been one of the largest in the event’s history.

In those decades before the Sonics, Mariners and Seahawks brought nearly year-round professional sports to Seattle, Opening Day captured attention far beyond Portage Bay, and recreational boating played a near-central role in the area’s civic and leisure culture. But, even in those years, a boat parade didn’t necessarily translate to television like some other sporting events. Though Michele Shaw says at least one TV station – who shall remain nameless – tried to make it work.

“They did a TV show of the entire parade,” Shaw said. “I was the person that worked with them on that and I warned them. I said, ‘There’s lots of space between boats going down [the parade route]. I can’t remember [which TV host] I was with, [but] we ended up talking about the dog over here on the lawn” and similar topics to fill up the time.

“They did one year of the full broadcast of the parade,” Shaw said. “And that was it.”

For an event that’s best experienced in person, either aboard a boat in the parade or watching from the shore, Pete Rosvall and Michele Shaw are clearly delighted that Opening Day is back in non-virtual form this year.

And Rosvall says that with all the similarities to a century ago – in particular, the parallels between the Spanish Flu and COVID – the theme the committee chose for 2022 is “Roaring 20s.”

“There’s a lot of pent-up energy,” Rosvall said. “One of the things The Trio does [is] go out to the yacht clubs, basically Royal Vancouver and Royal Vic all the way down through Olympia, and we talk about the theme, we talk about Opening Day and what’s going to happen.”

What kind of response did they get to plans for 2022?

“Clubs that [in the past] said ‘We’ll send four or five boats,’” Lundvall said. “They’re asking if they can bring up 18 or 20.”

“So it’s going to be something else,” he said.

And, for the record, while the Seattle Yacht Club organizes Opening Day every year, there is no similar event in November called “Closing Day.”

Boating season “never closes, it just reopens,” Rosvall said. “If you live in the Pacific Northwest and you’ve got a boat, you boat a lot during the course of the year. You just have to be more careful [in the autumn and winter] because the wind and the weather do dictate where you can go and when you can go.”

Speaking of weather, this is Seattle, after all, and it’s been a very cold and wet spring so far – plus, who could forget 1895? Will attendance or other numbers help measure whether or not this year’s Opening Day of Boating Season is a success?

“It’s always a success,” Rosvall said, laughing. “Even when it rains, it’s full. People make their plans early. I’m already looking at the weather for next week – so far, so good. But it’s fun even if it’s raining.”

Regardless of the forecast, it’s clear that Rosvall and Shaw believe in the Seattle Yacht Club and Opening Day, especially in the sense of community that members continue to find at the club’s Portage Bay home more than a century after it was built.

Still, though, whatever the weather on May 7, it’s probably best to leave the Roman candles at home.

TRAFFIC NOTE: On Saturday, May 7, 2022, the Montlake Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic from noon until about 4pm.

You can hear Feliks every Wednesday and Friday morning on Seattle’s Morning News and read more from him here . If you have a story idea, please email Feliks here .

Feliks Banel

When ‘Almost Live!’ knocked down the Space Needle for April Fool’s Day

A look back at the story of the April Fool’s 1989 Space Needle collapse hoax, as told in “Almost Live!” host John Keister’s own words.

Boeing slogan – if it’s not history, it’s a mystery

It’s also a slogan that’s been twisted around lately to express a meaning which is the opposite of what its original iteration had proudly proclaimed.

Historical commission hits pause on razing Everett’s Clark Park gazebo

At a meeting, the Everett Historical Commission once again weighed a request from the city for permission to demolish a historic gazebo.

Local history buffs beat hackers and regain control of Seattle Vintage

The popular local history Facebook group Seattle Vintage was hacked and taken over by malicious actors two weeks ago.

Baltimore bridge collapse reminds Washingtonians of past disasters

A container ship rammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing the bridge to crumble into the river below.

Federal budget includes funding for new Seattle National Archives

The GSA is set to get $9 million for a new storage facility for the National Archives in the Seattle area.

11 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Discover MoPOP’s new exhibit: ‘Massive: The Power of Pop Culture’

The Museum of Pop Culture invites you to experience pop culture like never before with its new exhibition "Massive: The Power of Pop Culture."

Salk: A local credit union inspiring its community

In the heart of Kitsap County, a financial institution is making waves not just as a banking entity but as a beacon of community support.

This checking account is better than gold

My journey led me to Kitsap Credit Union, a not-for-profit, forward-thinking financial co-op that’s been serving its members since 1934.

Punts for Purpose: Brock Huard, other NFL players fight to end global child poverty

Seattle Sports host Brock Huard joins other NFL punters in partnership with Compassion in a cause now known as “Punts For Purpose.”

As crime crisis worsens, locals get serious about personal safety

Washington's crime crisis continues to worsen, and locals are turning to whatever tools they can use to keep them safe.

2024 Medicare open enrollment: Here’s how to get free unbiased help

Medicare’s annual open enrollment period runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. This is the time to review your current Medicare coverage.

Opening Day of Boating Season

5/4/2024 | seattle yacht club.

Share This Event

Opening Day, the official opening of Seattle’s boating season includes a celebration of many kinds of water activities. Festivities include a morning of crew races, a sailboat race, and the Grand Opening Day Boat Parade on Saturday.

• Phone 2063251000

SUBSCRIBE TO THE SEATTLE LOCALIST

Seattle’s best every month in your inbox.

• OPT-IN: By clicking the "Subscribe" button, I agree to receive emails from Visit Seattle and that I have read and agree to the Visit Seattle Privacy Policy .
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Book Your Trip

Partner Advertisements

A guide to Seattle’s Opening Day boat parade, events

Here's a roundup of what's happening and when for Saturday's Opening Day of boating season yacht parade and Windermere Cup crew races.

Share story

If you get caught boating out of season, is it just a ticket or is there jail time?

OK, so you’re new to Seattle. We’ll stifle the snickers.

When you hear about Opening Day of boating season , which happens this coming Saturday, know that it is all according to custom. It’s not like hunting season, which has real rules.

The ruling factor is tradition — and it’s a long one — based on the fact that messing about in boats is a whole lot more pleasant when it’s sunny and warm than when it’s raining and cold. So boating season here starts the first Saturday in May (sunshine not guaranteed).

Most Read Life Stories

• Direct flights from Sea-Tac Airport to the Philippines start this fall
• Unorthodox cooking method delivers lovely skillet broccoli spaghetti
• How air travel has changed since the pandemic
• The next frontier of airport innovations is in the bathroom
• Mount Rainier July reservations for Sunrise, Paradise open Monday

Since 1920, Seattle Yacht Club has led the way with an annual “official” Opening Day boat parade through Montlake Cut, the narrow canal that connects Portage Bay and Lake Washington.

This year’s parade starts at noon Saturday, with more than 200 boats registered, from modern superyachts to the saltiest Northwest classics. Starting the day’s events will be a procession at 10 a.m., before crew races, of Muckleshoot Tribe canoes.

The parade theme is “Salish Sea Treasures,” with many boats to be decorated accordingly, reflecting the marine life of the Washington and British Columbia waters officially designated in 2009 as the Salish Sea.

Fire boats will spray water, and boats carrying the University of Washington band and Washington State University’s alumni band will set the musical tempo for the day.

It’s a free event for spectators, with rowing teams competing in Windermere Cup crew races from east to west in the Cut preceding the boat parade (see www.gohuskies.com/sports/c-crew/spec-rel/windermere-cup.html ).

If you go by car, bus, bike or foot, you may watch from the shores of the Cut. (Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, a picnic and possibly an umbrella.) Parking is available at nearby University of Washington lots — for $15 in Lots E-20 and E-21, or $7 in Lot E-1. Note that Montlake Bridge closes to auto traffic between around 9:40 a.m. and maybe as late as 4 p.m., and remains raised during the boat parade.

If you go by boat, Windermere Cup organizers and volunteers for the Seattle Yacht Club plan to have log booms for moorage in place on the east end of Montlake Cut by noon Thursday. Spots on the log boom were reservable in advance with a donation (the reservation deadline has passed). Space remaining on the east end of the log boom will be open free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

To be part of the parade, book passage on the historic steamship Virginia V , departing from South Lake Union at 11:30 a.m. Saturday; $75 with buffet lunch, live band and a cash bar ( www.virginiav.org or 206-624-9119).

This year’s Windermere Cup, the 25th year of the event, pits University of Washington rowers against England’s Cambridge University , along with Stanford University and the University of Oklahoma . Local rowing clubs and other Northwest schools also compete in races that start at 10:20 a.m., with the last race at 11:45 a.m.

— Brian J. Cantwell

Click here for more information provided by Seattle Yacht Club

Opening Day, the official opening of Seattle’s boating season sponsored by Seattle Yacht Club, includes a celebration of many kinds of water activities. This year’s festivities will include a morning of crew races, a sailboat race, and, of course, the grand Opening Day boat parade on Saturday, May 7, 2022.

From its earliest days Seattle has celebrated important occasions with water festivities.

One particularly notable early celebration was scheduled for the Fourth of July 1895. The papers reported that the Elliott Bay Yacht Club, the forerunner of the Seattle Yacht Club, held a regatta including several classes of boats in Elliott Bay. The grand climax was to be an illuminated naval parade at 9:00 p.m. on the bay followed by a naval sham battle. The Post Intelligencer described the scheduled events: ” . . .a monitor is to be bombarded and then blown up. . . The parade will consist of two lines of yachts, brilliantly illuminated with Japanese lanterns and armed with Roman candles instead of cannons. The monitor will run the gauntlet, spitting red and blue balls at the fleet, which in return will bombard the monitor until her magazine catches fire and she blows up, throwing out myriads of stars, balls and rockets.” Alas, the wind was too great for the event, extinguishing the candles, and the yachtsman and spectators went home disappointed.

In May 1908, the battleship brigade, later known as the Great White Fleet, stopped in Seattle on its round the world tour. Seattle organizers festooned the city, held land and water parades, dances and receptions to honor the fleet. Area yachtsman organized a welcoming committee to sail out and meet the visiting armada as it sailed into Elliott Bay.

The following year Seattle hosted the Alaskan-Yukon Exposition on the University of Washington campus. The Seattle Yacht Club acted as the official host to visiting boatmen. As part of the festivities, the Commodore and his club members arranged a public “Potlatch Parade” which took place at the Seattle Yacht Club clubhouse, which was still located in West Seattle.

According to the 1964 reminiscences of a Seattle Yacht Club member, the first Opening Day took place in early May 1913. He recalled a parade and a regatta in Elliott Bay.

The first Opening Day parade through the Montlake Cut was in 1920 after the Seattle Yacht Club moved to its new (and present) facilities in Portage Bay. Spectators lined both sides of the Cut to view the 25 or 30 boats as they paraded by, flying their dress flags. The boats finished the celebration with a regatta in Lake Washington sponsored by the Queen City Yacht Club.

The Opening Day Parade and Regatta became a spring tradition, which survived the war years. Opening Day 1946, was the biggest and most festive ever. It included members of every yacht club in Puget Sound and the Royal Vancouver and the Royal Victoria Yacht Clubs from British Columbia, Canada.

A theme was first used for the 1959 Opening Day, Hell’s a Poppin, and, since then, participants have decorated their boats around a theme. Prizes are awarded to the best-decorated and best-dressed boats in several categories.

Over the years, Opening Day activities have changed. Events such as the University of Washington crew races have become a part of the day’s traditional festivities. Many spectators watch these popular races through the Montlake Cut from the shore, boats or TV. Opening Day 2018 marks the 32nd anniversary of the Windermere Cup.

The commissioning ceremony on the Seattle Yacht Club lawn is attended by the Commodores of participating yacht clubs and starts off the Opening Day festivities. The clubs’ burgees are hoisted, dignitaries are recognized, the Chaplin says a prayer, and the band plays!

As always, the Opening Day Parade starts at noon the first Saturday in May with the blast of a cannon and the raising of the Montlake Bridge. Seattle Yacht Club’s Opening Day has become the nation’s largest regional celebration of water, spring and the opening of boating season.

Participating yachts will be decorated to illustrate this year’s theme for Opening Day, “Boating Through the Decades”.

And, if tradition is honored, there will be sunshine, breezes and, maybe, a few showers.

Opening Day in Seattle is a family affair; families decorate their boats for the festivities and parades; families spread blankets on the shoreline and spend hours watching and picnicking. Families dream of the boats they someday will own.

The boating season officially never ends in the Seattle area. It tapers off during the blustery, wet days of winter, but the faithful keep sailing and cruising. Opening Day, however, kicks off a busy spring and summer of boating for many avid boaters in the Seattle area.

Opening Day offers some outstanding photo and story opportunities. You’ll not find anything like it in the U.S. or, to our knowledge, in the world. The only thing comparable is an annual parade of commercial vessels in Venice, Italy.

• Google Calendar
• Outlook 365
• Outlook Live

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

• Advertising
• Subscriptions

“The Great Escape” of Opening Day

The origin of Opening Day goes back to Seattle boat parades ranging from the 4th of July boat celebration of 1895 to the visit of the Great White Fleet in May of 1908. The first official Opening Day is said to have taken place in early May of 1913 and included a parade and regatta in Elliott Bay.

Opening Day has come a long way since 1913, and traditions with pageantry abound. The commissioning ceremony on the Seattle Yacht Club’s lawn is attended by the commodores of participating yacht clubs and kicks off the celebrations. The clubs’ burgees are hoisted and the band plays as dignitaries are honored and a chaplain says a prayer. The Montlake Bridge opens to the blast of a cannon and the yacht parade begins, kicking off a whole week of festivities, including sailing regattas, a Mai Tai party, award ceremonies, and more. University of Washington rowing events have become staples over the decades, and 2016 marks the 30th Windmere Cup that’ll pit our Huskies against Russian rowers.

We turned to Bruce Campbell, this year’s Vice Admiral of SYC, for Opening Day 2016 for the inside scoop.

So who exactly belongs to this “trio” [of Seattle Yacht Club brass] and what is the tradition behind it?

The trio is made up of an “Admiral”, “Vice-Admiral” and “Admiralette”. The two admirals are chosen by the Seattle Yacht Club (SYC) Commodore and Vice-Commodore respectively. The Admiralette is chosen by a vote of past Admiralettes and the Women’s group at SYC. While they have fancy titles, they are really the co-chairs of the Opening Day Committee. That is a group of approximately 225 people who started planning this year’s event last June.

The tradition of an Admiral of the day dates to the late 1940s. The Admiralette was added in the late 50s. The first themed year was 1959, when the theme was “Hell’s a Poppin!”

How did the theme Great Escape emerge and what can we expect?

Once the trio is announced, the trio begins planning the theme, which involves many false starts and advice from a copyright attorney.

This year’s theme hopes to capture the joy that we find by “escaping” onto our boats and leaving stress, bosses, traffic, etc. behind. Sometimes it is simply releasing the dock lines to achieve that escape. Sometimes it means arriving at a favorite anchorage. Everyone gets to find their own escape. Part of the fun is seeing what comes down the Montlake Cut on the first Saturday in May. The trio encourages everyone to define the theme in their own fashion.

What is the best part of Opening Day?

The best part of Opening Day is the chance to meet members of clubs from West Vancouver to Olympia. Dock Zero on Friday afternoon is a real circus where you can really see the many different ways people use their boats in the Salish Sea.

Why should boaters be especially excited this year?

Because they are boaters. And whether they are doing Sloop Tavern Yacht Club’s (STYC) “Race to the Straits” or the parade through the Cut with SYC’s celebration of Opening Day, they can make a “Great Escape” in some of the best boating waters found anywhere.

Photo: Mike Penney

Norris Comer

Norris Comer is an award-winning writer and the former Managing Editor of Northwest Yachting magazine. He was raised in Portland, Oregon and got his BS in Marine Science at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL where he lived aboard a 1973 Catalina 27 before moving to Washington and an Albin Vega. He has worked as a commercial fisherman, wandered aimlessly around the world, studied oil spills, and was a contestant on the Norwegian reality TV show "Alt for Norge."

App Spotlight – Dockwa

Paddleboard, meet stairmaster, you may also like, protect what you love, port townsend marine trades step up to help, covid stories, eight bells for doug fryer, des moines yacht club says goodbye to margaret..., t-bird legend sandy pratt succumbs to covid-19, zeasman-gibbon for nmta board of trustees, new dates for the anacortes boat & yacht..., multi-million dollar dock completed at elliott bay, saying goodbye to colleen wagner, leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Privacy Overview

Create Your Dockwa Account

I'm A Marina

I'm a Boater

Seattle’s opening day: kicking off emerald city’s boating season.

Post by Jackie Au - Published on 04/26/22 12:30 PM

From the historic Ballard Locks to the hundreds of islands off the coast of Puget Sound, Seattle is a boater’s dream. So whether you’re looking to enjoy the quiet of a day on the Sound or explore the historic maritime culture of the city, Seattle has plenty to offer. With summer fast approaching, we’re highlighting three events that will help you kickoff an eventful boating season in Seattle. 

Seattle Yacht Club’s Opening Day

Although boaters can enjoy the waters of the Sound, Lake Washington, and Lake Union year-round, the summers serve as the peak boating season in Seattle. With temperatures ranging in the low to mid-70s, boaters can expect comfortable and gorgeous weather while on the water. Seattle Yacht Club’s century-old Opening Day celebration marks the start of this season, which they host on the first Saturday of May. The event, known as the nation’s largest regional celebration of water, kicks off with a bang, with a parade beginning at noon, the blast of a cannon, and the raising of the Montlake Bridge.

If you'd prefer to book your a slip or mooring on Dockwa's network, you can dock at nearby Nautical Landing Marina , Salmon Bay Marine Center , or Elliott Bay Marina to take part in the festivities.

There are several regattas, one being the iconic Windermere Cup and two featuring the University of Washington’s  men’s and women’s rowing teams. The two teams take on international challengers and other high-ranked collegiate teams. Spectators can watch this event from the Montlake Cut, with parking available at the University of Washington. 

After the regattas, the celebration continues with the boat parade. Again, thousands of boaters and spectators gather to participate in the festivities. The parade is perhaps the most recognizable feature of the celebration, and hundreds of boaters take to the water to showcase their boats. However, this is no ordinary boat parade, as the best part of the parade is that boaters decorate their vessels following the year’s theme! This year’s theme is “The Roaring’ 20’s,” so keep an eye out for some fun Gatsby-inspired decorations as boaters compete to win the festival trophy for the best-dressed boat.  

Seafair Summer Festival

Summertime also marks the beginning of the exciting Seafair celebrations. As the largest festival in the Pacific Northwest, over 2 million people enjoy this event, including races, air shows, community block parties, and other fun family events. The annual not-for-profit festival lasts over ten weeks and consists of seven official events and 25 community-hosted events. The seven key events are: 

Seafair Summer 4th

Milk Carton Derby

Seafair Triathlon & Kids Triathlon

Seafair Torchlight Parade

Torchlight 5K & 8K Run

Seafair Fleet Week

Seafair Weekend Festival

The Seafair Summer 4th is the July 4th celebration in Seattle. Boaters and spectators alike gather in Lake Union to enjoy the spectacular fireworks show. It was recognized by USA TODAY as one of the nation’s best fireworks displays.

The Milk Carton Derby , hosted in Green Lake, is a fun family outing of ingenuity and creativity. The race consists of contestants racing homemade boats made out of milk and juice cartons! Fans can enjoy the silly event from the shoreline and watch contestants compete in creatively decorated and hilariously fun homemade milk carton vessels. In addition to bragging rights, contestants race to win up to $250 and a chance to be crowned as Milk Carton Derby champions. 

Seafair’s Fleet Week celebrates the brave men and women who serve in the armed forces. Consisting of various events and parades, Fleet Week allows spectators to explore Navy and Coast Guard vessels and ships that carry our everyday cargo. 

Seattle’s Duck Dodge

Last on our list is the Duck Dodge . The Duck Dodge is an unofficial and loosely organized regatta and Seattle tradition. Every Tuesday night in the summer, over a hundred boaters take to Lake Union to race for the ultimate prize, a duck sticker. The race consists of several laps, Mario Kart-style, with boats of varying sizes, speeds, and types gliding across the lake. The event is free and open to the public, with a ridicul ous set of rules, the top being “no hitting.” They intentionally highlight it in five of the 12 rules. Every race has a different theme, with participants engaging in good, lighthearted fun. 

As warmer weather and blue skies begin to peak through the clouds, it’s cause for celebrations and summertime activities in Seattle. From the summer festivities o f the Openin g Day ceremony, Seafair, and the Duck Dodge, boaters will have plenty to do in their time visiting Seattle. Although the festivals are a great way to have some fun in Emerald City, the fun doesn’t stop there. Booking with Dockwa ensures boater’s a season packed with fun and a hassle-free mooring and docking experience.

Be sure to check out our other blog posts to learn more about other summertime events and fun. Join the conversation on Flipboard , Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

Get out there today!

Dockwa's mission is to connect boaters and marinas. Sign up for Dockwa to make the most of being a boat owner. Explore new harbors and book slips and moorings within minutes - all with the tips of your fingers.

Related posts

September Seattle Events: The Pink Boat Regatta & BMW Car Show at Elliott Bay Marina

Puget Sound boaters, Elliott Bay Marina in Seattle has great back-to-back events lined up for September 8 & 9: The Pink Boat Regatta and...

The Hermione 2015: What Is It and Why Should We Care?

The original ship is deeply rooted in the history of the founding of the United States and its relationship with France. By crossing the...

Fall Activities Round-Up: November 2018 Calendar of Harborside Events

Make the most of November, kick off your holiday season, or celebrate making landfall in warmer climates at these nautical events! Find a...

• Upcoming Events
• Membership Registration
• Membership Terms
• Skipper Minimum Conditions
• Skipper Qualifications
• Meet Our Skippers
• Sailing Classes
• Gear Recommendations
• Become a Skipper
• Reciprocal Moorage
• Opening Day
• Resources & Links
• Philanthropy
• Meet Our Board

Seattle's Opening Boat Day

Join Seattle's Opening Day Regatta hosted by UW, Windermere, and the Seattle Yacht Club! Remember MontLake Cut closure, parking at SBC Marinas, and try Bowriders Grill for takeout. Plan ahead to enjoy the festivities!

Seattle Summers Ahead

Seattle Boat Co. wants you to enjoy  Seattle's Opening Day  weekend filled with tradition and events.

The University of Washington, Windermere Real Estate and the Seattle Yacht Club host the Annual Windermere Cup Opening Day Regatta and Boat Parade along the shores of Lake Washington. Join in to celebrate Seattle and the amazing boating community we have here on Lake Washington!

Cut Closure

Every year the MontLake Cut between Lake Union and Lake Washington gets closed for setup and preparing for the opening boat day parade. It's important to know the times this will be occurring because there is no other way to get from one side to the other than the cut. Click Here to see when it will be closed this year!

Parking at SBC Marinas

We expect a busy weekend and are making preparations to meet everyone's needs. We ask that you please let your guests know that the SkyLaunch parking lot is for tenants and members only, and there is plenty of street side parking available for guests of the marina. Check out our Peak Weekend Procedures for tips to navigating the Marina. 

Pedestrian access via the Burke Gilman Trail is a popular way for tenants to avoid parking issues at the Lake Union location. Carpooling is also encouraged.

Know Before You Go

There is lots to do during opening weekend in Seattle and it's good to make sure you know all the events going on so you don't miss one! Click Here to view this years schedule.

Bowriders Grill on Lake union

Looking for somewhere to grab some quick, but delicious, to-go good for your opening day? Look no further than Bowriders Grill, stop in here before you head to opening day and enjoy their dockside pickup for simple and easy food on the lake! Burgers, skewers and even craft beer are available for pickup orders. Click Here  to visit their website to learn more about the menu, events and more!

Checkout the vibe

Checkout this awesome aerial video of Opening Boat Day back in 2017. A big thank you to our amazing customer Mr. Shih for capturing this footage!

Similar posts

Sailgating uw husky stadium in seattle.

Feel the Seattle spirit and experience college football like never before. Drop anchor with UW Husky Stadium in view and join the fun of Sailgating...

What to Expect on Peak Weekends at Seattle Marinas & SkyLaunch Facilities

What to expect on peak weekends at our Seattle Marina & Bellevue Marina on Lake Union and Lake Washington.

How to Use SpeedyDock to Launch your Boat at Seattle Boat SkyLaunch

Tips for using the SpeedyDoc app and having a smooth boat launch at the Seattle and Newport SkyLaunch Marinas with Seattle Boat Company.

Stay in the Know

Subscribe to the Seattle Boat Blog to stay up-to-date with company and local boating news!

Celebrate Opening Day Of Seattle Boating Season This May

Two exciting events at Montlake Cut this May allow you to choose your own adventure.

The 2024 Opening Day of Seattle’s boating season is upon us!

Technically Seattle’s boating season is open year-round, but Opening Day celebrates the busy spring/summer season. There are two events happening at Montlake Cut this weekend. There is the ticketed Party on the Cut event on Friday, May 3 and the free Opening Day festivities on Saturday, May 4. Both events take place rain or shine.

Read on for all the details!

The first event is Party on the Cut from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Friday, May 3 . This event is for ages 21 and up . There will be food trucks, live music, drink tents, and twilight sprints (a preview of the following day’s races). You can buy tickets for $30 and see more info on the Windermere Cup website .

The main event is Opening Day on Saturday, May 4 . This event is family-friendly and free for all to attend. You can bring a blanket and have a picnic on the shoreline while watching the Windermere Cup crew races and the boat parade.

Every May on the first Saturday of the month, the Montlake Bridge is raised at noon and the Opening Day boat parade begins . Opening Day is a storied maritime tradition in Seattle that possibly dates back to 1913. According to the Seattle Yacht Club:

Opening Day offers some outstanding photo and story opportunities. You’ll not find anything like it in the U.S. or, to our knowledge, in the world. The only thing comparable is an annual parade of commercial vessels in Venice, Italy.

The theme for 2024 Opening Day has yet to be announced but we’ll update this post once that happens. Participating boats will be decorated according to this theme. There are prizes awarded in several categories for the best-decorated boats.

Here is Saturday’s schedule:

• 9:30 a.m. : the Montlake Cut is closed to all boat traffic
• 10:15: a.m. : Crew races begin
• Noon : The boat parade commences
• 3:00 p.m. : Approximate end of the parade
• 4:00 p.m. : Montlake Cut reopens to traffic
• 6:00 p.m. : Trophy presentation and closing ceremony

You can find more information such as a map of the boat parade, parking info, and more on the Seattle Yacht Club website .

Party on the Cut

When: Friday, May 3, 2024 Where: Montlake Cut Cost: $30

2024 Opening Day in Seattle

When: Saturday, May 4, 2024 Where: Montlake Cut Cost: Free

TYPE IN YOUR SEARCH AND PRESS ENTER

Marketing that seems like magic Presentations that make clients say yes Advertising that steals the show Websites that bring your brand to life Lead Nurturing that inspires action Lead Nurturing for Mortgage that drives conversations Luxury Assets for your unique market

Relationships with CRM for life-long business Brokerage Communications that keep all in-the-know Back Office that calms the chaos Communications for MLS to unify your resources

Recruiting the agents you want Homeownership Portals that keep you top of mind

MoxiCloud the open platform with freedom of choice MoxiCloud partner list For Tech Partners let’s build, together

See how other brokerages stack their Moxi

MoxiImpress Listing marketing MoxiPresent CMA & presentation builder MoxiPromote Digital marketing MoxiWebsites Brokerage, office, team, agent websites ActivePipe Lead nurturing

• Real Estate

MoxiEngage CRM MoxiBalance Back office MoxiHub Centralize internal resources & communications

• For Brokerages

MoxiTalent Recruiting

MoxiCloud Open platform Integrations MoxiCloud partners

• Customer Stories
• Industry insights
• Inspiration
• Marketing ​
• Productivity
• Transactions

Upcoming Webinar

Support Center Your go-to for troubleshooting Launch Kits Toolkits to help your brokerage launch MoxiWorks Home Sales Predictor Monthly market predictions

Get the essential tools to outperform in any market

The MoxiWorks Essentials package combines three powerful products for agents to automate marketing from sphere to sale.

Real Estate Tools and Tech Solutions Built to Expand Your Potential

Strengthen your real estate business with a partner who solves your problems and fuels your growth, not the other way around.

Solutions your whole company will love

Before MoxiWorks

After MoxiWorks

CONNECTED MLSs

Technology partners.

MoxiWorks is different. See how it all works.

Grow with Moxi

We help successful brokerages like these manage and grow their businesses.

Companies transform when they run on MoxiWorks

Our Realtors deserve to be equipped with the best tools and MoxiPresent has made them look more professional, more skilled, and more tech enabled. It allows us to deliver valuable information in all mediums.

Brandon Wells

The Group, Inc.

MoxiWorks allows us to have a centrally-managed, company-wide tech stack that lets all of our team speak the same language...It’s not just one thing, it’s a suite of tools that makes agents’ lives easier, with automation that allows them to spend more time in the field selling.

Edward Tull

JBGoodwin REALTORS®

The integrations are next-level for us. I can’t even compare it to anything else I’ve seen— and it’s a beautiful thing when an agent can just go in, and everything is there.

Amanda McCabe

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Jersey Properties

We view Moxi as the center of our technology stack. If [other technologies] don’t work with Moxi, then we probably don’t need to work with them.

John E. Cadigan

Barrett Sotheby’s International Realty

We were once in your shoes.

We don’t have the typical proptech company origin story or exit strategy. Our founders were in the brokerage business, and today some of the biggest and most respected names in the industry stand as part owners and advisors. We built the industry’s only open platform, which enhances every part of your business without handcuffing you to a rigid set of solutions. Our business centers around understanding and serving yours.

Set up a call ➝

Upcoming events

• No upcoming events